Final answer:
The West during the Gilded Age was characterized by a variety of regions such as plains, mountains, and desert. The federal government offered incentives for Americans to settle in the West, which led to the expansion and development of the region.
Step-by-step explanation:
The West during the Gilded Age was characterized by a variety of regions such as plains, mountains, and desert. This can be seen in the descriptions of the land as an arid wasteland and a great American desert. The federal government offered incentives for Americans to settle in the West, which led to the expansion and development of the region.