or Ozark Plateau
Heavily forested highlands, south-central U.S. Extending southwest from St. Louis to the Arkansas River , they occupy an area of about 50,000 sq mi (130,000 sq km) in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, and Kansas.
Many of the highest peaks exceed 2,000 ft (600 m). Tourism is one of the region's chief industries. Lake of the Ozarks provides power and recreational facilities. The name Ozark probably derives from the French trading post, Aux Arc, established in the area in the 1700s.