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<br />low ridges, extends far into Utah and New Mexico. <br /> <br />C. Geology <br />Colorado is divided by the Rocky Mountains into three parts that differ in <br /> <br />topography, geology, natural resources, climate, and human activities. The <br /> <br />eastern part, in the Great Plains province, is characterized geologically by <br /> <br />relatively undisturbed, flat-lying sedimentary rocks, Its economic life, <br /> <br />controlled principally by geology and a rigorous semiarid climate, depends in <br /> <br />part on the production of fuels, but to a greater degree on agriculture, the <br /> <br />character of which is largely determined by the availability of water. The <br /> <br />middle part of the state, the Mountain province, has rocks of many kinds and <br /> <br />ages divided into many different structural units. In this province are the <br /> <br />rich ore deposits and mining districts that have brought Colorado wealth and <br /> <br />fame, and because of the availability of water, irrigated valleys that support <br /> <br />a great livestock industry. The western part of the state, in the Plateau <br /> <br />province, in some ways resembles the plains and in some ways the mountains. <br /> <br />Like the plains, it is characterized by relatively undisturbed sedimentary <br /> <br />rocks, but as in the mountains, the upland areas are at high altitudes and are <br /> <br />separated by deep valleys and canyons. The province yields both mineral fuels <br /> <br />and metallic and monmetallic minerals. Agriculturally, because of high altitude, <br /> <br />it is principally an area of stock raising. <br /> <br />D. Climate <br />Most of Colorado has a cool and invigorating climate which could be termed a <br /> <br />highland or mountain climate of a continental location. During the summer there <br /> <br />are hot days on the plains, but these are often relieved by afternoon thunder- <br /> <br />showers. Mountain regions are always cool. Humidity is generally quite low; <br /> <br />this favors rapid evaporation and relatively comfortable conditions even on hot <br /> <br />days. The thin atmosphere allows greater penetration of solar radiation and <br /> <br />-3- <br /> <br />0333 <br />