THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES

GEOGRAPHY

· Approximately, a quarter of the US and it includes the states of:

- Arizona

- Utah

- New Mexico

- Nevada

* California, Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado are sometimes included in the southwestern states.

Climate and Fauna

· Depending on the location, there’s semi-arid to arid climate.

· Mostly, this part is dominated by arid desert climate but there is alpine climate with a lot of snow in the West of Texas.

· The Great Southwestern Desert was divided in four regions:

1. Arizona-Sonora Desert

2. Chihuahua Desert

3. Mojave Desert

4. Great Basin Desert.

· The wildlife is varied with animals like Coyote American Bison, Armadillo, Raccoon and so on.

HISTORY

· Mexico (New Spain during the European colonization) dominated until the 19^th century.

· California was the main west power.

· The majority of the Utahans moved into Nevada and North of California, and the Texans moved into New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona.

· There were many American tribes as the Paiute, Comanche, Navajo and Hopi. These and other tribes ruled different parts of the states of Southwest.

· In 1675, the Spanish invaded it and they destroyed all their religions and ceremonial objects.

· Most of the Indian tribes died due to epidemics caused by Europeans that they couldn’t resist.

CULTURE

· Taos ( in the north-central region of New Mexico, best known for its old art colonies)

- The International Spring Art Festival every May.

- More museums and galleries per capita than any other city in the United States.

· Clinton (Oklahoma)

- The Route 66 Museum: joined Chicago with LA, there’s a museum which brings back its memories.

· Elko (Nevada)

- Cowboy Poetry Gathering every January (riding demonstrations, classes, concerts, films…).

· Arizona

- Canyon de Chelly: one of the greatest archaeological richest in the Southwest.

· New Mexico

- The Santa Fe Trail: was a 19^th century transportation route that connected Missouri with Santa Fe.

Bibliography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwestern_United_States

http://www.questconnect.org/sw_american_southwest.htm

http://www.iexplore.com/usmap/Southwest/sw_culture/Cultural+Exploration

Maria Gil Álvarez - English Studies AA