Denver is located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains on the East side of the Rocky Mountains. Denver’s economy is based partially on its geographic position and its connection to some of the country’s major transportation systems. Connecting the Mountain States, Southwest states, as well as all Western states, Denver is at the midway point between the largest Midwest cities, such as Chicago and St. Louis, and West Coast cities, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco.