Great basin culture were predominantly hunters and gatherers. Great basin did not practiced such agriculture. However, agriculture was practiced in some close or near areas but modern agriculture in the Great Basin requires either large mountain reservoirs or deep artesian wells. The Great Basin tribes had no permanent settlements. They were actively expanding to the north and west where they developed a horse-riding culture. On the other hand, the northwest coast used some instruments like hand drums that are made of animal hides, plank drums, log drums, box drums along with whistles, wood clappers and rattles. Hence, due to the abundance of natural resources and affluence of most Northwest tribes, there was plenty of leisure time to create art. They have many works of art served practical purposes such as clothing tools, weapons of war and hunting, transportation, cooking and shelter. While others were purely aesthetic.
The correct answer to this open question is the following.
The differences between the northwest coast and Great Basin cultures were the following.
Cultures in the northwest area lived in forest areas with a lot of humidity. Native American tribes established close or next to rivers for the many benefits and advantages rivers provided such as freshwater and fishing. They had enough animals to hunt and food was not an issue.
Cultures in the Great Basin lived in what today is the area of the states of Nevada, Utah, Oregon and parts of California, Wyoming, and Idaho. It is a low area in the middle of the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada. The land is somewhat arid and there is a lack of rain, making it desertic land. It is cold in winter and hot in the summer. People had to hunt for food and the living conditions were harsh sometimes. Totally different conditions compared to abundant natural resources from the northwest.
