Corn Belt, traditional area in the midwesternUnited States, roughly covering westernIndiana,Illinois,Iowa,Missouri, easternNebraska, and easternKansas, in whichcorn (maize) and soybeans are the dominant crops. Soils are deep, fertile, and rich in organic material and nitrogen, and the land is relatively level.

The warm nights, hot days, and well-distributed rainfall of theregion during thegrowing season are ideal conditions for raising corn. Most farms in the area are family operated and average more than 300 acres (120 hectares). The Corn Belt area is, however, considerably diversified agriculturally, and analternative name—feed-grains and livestock region—describes it more accurately.