The Southwestern area of the United States could be defined as the states south, or for the most part west of the Mississippi River, with the qualification of a certain northern limit, such as the 37, or 38, or 39, or 40 degree north line.

Regional definitions vary from source to source. The states shown in dark red are usually included, while all or portions of the striped states may or may not be considered part of the Southwestern United States.

The Southwest is more ethnically varied than neighboring regions, with significant European American, Mexican American, Asian American, and American Indian populations.

The area also contains large cities and metropolitan areas, despite its the low population density in rural areas. Phoenix, Los Angeles, Dallas, San Antonio, San Diego and Houston all rank among the top ten most populous cities in the country^[1]. Fort Worth and Austin are in the top 20.^[1] Many of the states in this region, such as Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona, have witnessed some of the highest population growth in the United States. Urban areas in this region, like Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Phoenix and El Paso are some of the fastest growing cities in the country.

Cuisine

Tex-Mex cuisine was popularized in Texas^[2], and has spread to many other areas, both in Texas and in other nearby western states. New Mexican cuisine, includes a notable focus on its respective regional emphasis on chile spice, more particularly the famous "Hatch Green Chile". Arizona's very popular Arizona-Sonoran cuisine, holds its own meld of northern Mexican states' love of heavy sauces, as well as that regional respect for chile heat. And, the San Francisco burrito and "Fresh Mex" or Baja California-style of Mexican food is also commonly associated with the Southwest.

Notes

External links

• American Southwest, a National Park Service ''Discover Our Shared Heritage'' Travel Itinerary

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