Will give 40 points and me on my other recent question !

this is gold mining today, the ads proclaim—beautiful hills, waving fields of grass, prancing mule deer, a glimmering lake . .
—t. h. watkins, "hard rock legacy," national geographic, march 2000

how does the above description contrast with early mining operations in the american west?

Early mining operations in the American West took place in relatively harsh conditions in an area that had yet to be truly habitable. The American West is largely composed of desert areas, with scarce food and water resources, which conflicts heavily with the advertisement here. 

Humid continental climate is found in the interior of continents between the 30 and 60 degrees latitude, but usually above the 40 degree line.   40 degrees north of the equator means less direct sunlight and therefore less warmth.   this climate is mainly found in the northern hemisphere since there are no major landmasses in the southern hemisphere.  if you live in northern indiana, you know all about humid continental because that is the climate type you have!