The Prairies, North America's temperate grasslands, stretch from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Lakes, covering parts of the USA and Canada. Characterized by flat or slightly hilly treeless expanses and tall grass up to two metres high, they are a vast "sea of grass." Local rivers and their tributaries, including the Mississippi and Saskatchewan Rivers, provide drainage. Historically, these grasslands were inhabited by Native Americans, such as the Apache and Cree tribes. Globally, temperate grasslands vary, with Pampas in Argentina, Veld in South Africa, and Steppes in Central Asia. Each region's grasslands have unique climates, vegetation, and wildlife, reflecting the diversity of the Earth's ecosystems.