TBF, Ohio is an odd duck. Even if we follow GP's advice and split the midwest into plains and lakes, Ohio has both. Except the east, which is more like West Virginia. Ohio is kind of a West Virmichigiana.
I'd argue for adding Appalachia, rounding us out to three "not just one midwest" categories: plains, lakes, and sandstone/coal seams.
Ohio is, I think, the only state that would fall right smack dab in the middle of all 3 new sub-midwests!
So, to be fair to your autistic interloctuor, Ohio is uniquely difficult to type :)
You're not wrong, but... Ohioans, for better or worse, for right or wrong, consider themselves Midwesterners.
I grew up in and near the Appalachian foothills. Appalachia has my vote, if it ever happens.
edit/
> Ohio is, I think, the only state that would fall right smack dab in the middle of all 3 new sub-midwests!
IIRC, Colin Woodard, in his book American Nations, split Ohio into 3 distinct cultural regions. I think it's apt and your thoughts on the matter are shared by many others.
I'd argue for adding Appalachia, rounding us out to three "not just one midwest" categories: plains, lakes, and sandstone/coal seams.
Ohio is, I think, the only state that would fall right smack dab in the middle of all 3 new sub-midwests!
So, to be fair to your autistic interloctuor, Ohio is uniquely difficult to type :)