Final answer:
The Great Basin lies mostly within Nevada and Utah, with its distinctive Basin and Range topography influencing the regional climate and being historically important for indigenous populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Great Basin primarily spans across large parts of Nevada and Utah. It is characterized by a series of normal faults resulting in valleys being the hanging walls that descended relative to the surrounding mountain ranges. This region has a distinctive Basin and Range topography, which contributes to the rain shadow effect in Nevada and impacts the local climate.
The Great Basin historically provided a homeland for various indigenous groups like the Shoshone, Paiute, and Ute before the onset of European colonization, which, combined with the influx of settlers during the gold and silver rush, led to the displacement of these native populations onto reservations.