describe the impact on human settlement and/or land use: deserts, mountain ranges, arid climate, rivers, valuable resources such as oil and gold, flat lands near sources of water, and unusual landforms such as natural stone arches and hoodoos
Deserts, mountain ranges, and an arid climate have had a major impact on human settlement and land use in Utah. The deserts have limited the amount of land available for settlement and agriculture, while the mountain ranges have provided a natural barrier to settlement. The rivers have been a source of water for irrigation and other uses, while the flat lands near sources of water have been attractive for settlement. Valuable resources such as oil and gold have been mined in the state, and unusual landforms such as natural stone arches and hoodoos have been used as tourist attractions. All of these factors have had an impact on the way humans have settled and used the land in Utah.
