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<br />DESCRIPTION OF THE BASIN
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<br />The 1960 population of the basin was 1,041,650, with about one-
<br />third of this in the metropolitan area of Wichita, :Kansas. Of the
<br />total population, 392,500 were in the State of Colorado, and 649,150
<br />in the State of Kansas. The population of the New:Mexico portion was
<br />negligible. A farm population of 95,700 constitutes about 9 percent
<br />of the basin total.
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<br />The population of Wichita, Kansas in 1960 was 254,700. Other
<br />major population centers in Kansas and their 1960 populations are
<br />Hutchinson - 37,600; Great Bend - 16,700; Newton - 14,900; Dodge
<br />City - 13,500; Garden City - 11,800; and McPherson - 10,000. In the
<br />Colorado portion of the basin, Pueblo with a population of 91,200 and
<br />Colorado Springs with 70,200 are the largest cities. Five other
<br />cities have a population of 5,000 or more. There are no cities or
<br />towns in that portion of the basin in New Mexico.
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<br />The Colorado portion of the basin is rich in natural resources.
<br />The mining and manufacturing of minerals contribute large sums of
<br />revenue to this area. Some of the minerals that are found in this
<br />part of the basin are: beryllium, copper, gold, lead, iron, molybde-
<br />num, cadmium, manganese, silver, tin, clay (brick and tile), coal,
<br />feldspar, tungsten (wolframite), gem minerals, gypsum, pyrite, sand
<br />and gravel, pumice, petroleum, salt, lime, natural gas, carbon dio-
<br />xide (natural), cement and fire clay. The Kansas portion of the basin
<br />contains sand, gravel, salt, stone, helium, petroleum, and natural gas
<br />fields which supply large quantities 01' gas for intra-state and inter-
<br />state markets.
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<br />Farnung practices vary over the basin with climatic and topo-
<br />graphic conditions. In the mountains of the western basin, hay and
<br />other feed crops are raised for the sheep and cattle which provide
<br />the principal source of farm income. At the lower elevations of the
<br />basin farming is more diversified. The most common crops are corn,
<br />small grains, alfalfa, sorghum, sugar beets, and fruit and vegetables.
<br />A mixed cropping pattern occurs in the irrigated area of the basin.
<br />Winter wheat and combine maize are principal cash income crops. Live-
<br />stock, poultry, and other products are also of considerable importance.
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<br />Wichita, Kansas is the largest industrial center in the basin.
<br />This area contains plants for the processing of crude petroleum, natural
<br />gas, foodstuffs and other agriculture products. Wichita is a major air-
<br />craft center with several assembly plants. Throughout other parts of
<br />the basin strategically-located plants are engaged in the processing
<br />and manufacturing of foods and minerals.
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<br />The United States Air Force Academy is located in Colorado
<br />Springs, Colorado.
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