The “wide-open spaces” that cross the region are covered by rolling prairies and dry deserts. The Mohave, Sonoran, and ChihuahuanDeserts all extend into this region.
This region is home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. For thousands of years, the Colorado River carved through layers of rock to create the spectacular Grand Canyon.
The Rio Grande is a large river that begins in the Rocky Mountains and empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Rio Grande means “large or great river” in Spanish. This river was first explored by Native Americans and Spanish explorers.
This region is a part of “Tornado Alley”. This is the area in the United States where tornadoes most likely occur. These funnel clouds spin across the ground, causing destruction and death.
There were stories of gold and other treasures found north of Mexico in the Seven Cities of Cibola. Explorers were disappointed to learn the stories were not true. In 1540, Spanish explorer Francisco Coronado and his men searched for gold. They did not find any cities of gold but did find a region rich with natural resources.
Many Native American Indian tribes are found in this region. Some are Hopi, Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache. Buffalo were important to the Native Americans.
Spanish missionaries built many missions. Santa Fe became the Spanish capital of the territory in1610. The Spaniards planned to teach the Native Americans a new religion. Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the United States. The Palace of Governors in Santa Fe is the oldest government building in the United States.
Hundreds of Mexican soldiers surrounded a group of American soldiers stationed in the Alamo, an old Spanish mission in San Antonio. Approximately 180 Americans were killed at the Alamo on March 6, 1836. Among those who died were Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie.
During World War II, the United States and its allies sent messages to one another in secret code. The Navaho Code Talkers used their native language as the basis of a code that the enemy was never able to break.
The Indians in this region were known for their unique cliff dwellings. Many of these ancient dwellings were made of adobe—a mixture of clay, water, and straw. Native American pottery and weaving are still popular. Turquoise and silver jewelry is handcrafted. Kachina dolls represent different god and spirits and were made by the Hopi Indians.
The economy of this region is best described by the six C’s…crude oil, copper, cotton, cattle, citrus fruits, and climate. These are the basis of many industries in this region.
The climate draws large numbers of visitors to the region. People flock to see spectacular landforms such as the Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, and the Painted Desert.
Today a system of dams and canals irrigates crops in this region. The dams also create energy for hydroelectric power.
Aerospace is a major industry. The LyndonB.JohnsonSpaceCenter is the headquarters of NASA—National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The MissionControlCenter directs all space stations and space shuttle projects in the United States.
Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. She was born in El Paso. She was a lawyer and senator before being appointed to the Supreme Court.
Georgia O’Keeffe was widely recognized for her ability to capture the beauty of this region in her paintings. She was especially interested in desert scenery.
Maria Tallchief was raised on an Osage Indian Reservation. She became a ballerina for the New York City Ballet. She is known for her international accomplishments in ballet and her pride in her Native American heritage.
Will Rodgers started out as a joke-telling cowboy. He was a best-loved folk philosopher and political writer during the’20’s and ‘30’s. His famous quote “I never met a man I didn’t like.” Will died in an Alaska plane crash.
Smokey the Bear was pictures on a fire prevention poster in 1944. A real live Smokey was found after a forest fire near the town of Capitan in 1950.
Carlsbad Caverns were formed when water dissolved and reshaped large masses of limestone rock. The caves are filled with stalagmites and stalactites created when rainwater evaporated and left behind the mineral calcite.
In 1901, Anthony Lucas was drilling at Spindletop Hill near Beaumont. A gush of oil shot 150 feet into the sky. It took nine days to cap the well. In 1902, 17.5 million barrels of oil were pumped out of Spindletop Hill.
The Anasazi peoples built great villages out of rocks. Some buildings were five stories high and had hundreds of rooms. Some buildings clung to the sides of cliffs. The Anasazi used wooden ladders to climb up to their homes. For protection, they pulled the ladders up behind them.
The largest cactus in the U.S. is the saguaro. Its blossom is a state flower. The saguaro lives in the SonoranDesert. The Tohono people use long sticks to pick the fruit from the saguaro. They then make the fruit into jelly.
Different types and colors of rock make up the Painted Desert. Fallen legs from an ancient forest have turned to stone or petrified wood in Petrified ForestNational Park.
The bluebonnet is a state flower. They have blue petals with white centers. Pioneers named the flowers which reminded them of the bonnets that women wore to protect themselves from the hot sun.
The Spanish brought longhorn cattle. Cowboys on horses began to round up the cattle. The cattle were herded to railroad stations in Kansas then shipped to markets to be sold for beef.
Woody Guthrie was a famous musician. He wrote the song “This Land is Your Land”. This folksinger sang about many important issues of the 1930’s and 1940’s.
In 1942, a highly secret study called “The Manhattan Project” took place near Los Alamos. Scientists worked there to create the world’s first atomic bomb.
Tex-Mex is a combination of traditional Mexican dishes and American flavors. Nachos, tacos, fajitas, and chips and salsa are Tex-Mex dishes.
Approximately 30,000,000 people live in this region. Houston is the largest city in this region followed by Phoenix, Dallas, and San Antonio.