The Southwest States

The Southwest Key Characteristics of the Region All states have desert area All States were previously owned by Spain All states had Native populations, most have current indigenous tribes still living Semi-arid to arid climate, meaning little overall rainfall most of the year All states contain multiple national parks and landmarks. Primary Export: Mining and Grazing animals (such as Cows and sheep)

Nevada Capitol – Carson City Once was key place for nuclear testing Achieved Statehood on October 31, 1864 Climate: Arid in the desert areas with variations in the mountains Chief Industry: Gambling State Abbreviation: NV Pictures: Las Vegas Entrance Sigh (above) Nevada State Flag (below) Fun Fact: There is one slot machine for every 10 people in Nevada

Arizona Capitol – Phoenix Major training area for Major League Baseball Achieved Statehood on February 14, 1912 Climate: Mostly Arid/desert temperatures with monsoons in the summer months Chief Export: Copper/Cattle State Abbreviation: AZ Pictures: Mission Xavier del Bac(above) Arizona State Flag (below) Fun Fact: Arizona was admitted into the Confederacy as a territory during the Civil War

Utah Capitol – Salt Lake City Most Single Religion in a single state (63% Mormon) Achieved Statehood on January 3, 1896 Climate: Mostly Arid/desert temperatures with snow in the winter and higher elevations Chief Export: Oil State Abbreviation: UT Pictures: Zion National Park (above) Utah State Flag (below) Fun Fact: The name Utah is from the Ute Indians

New Mexico Capitol – Santa Fe Known as the “Land of Enchantment” Achieved Statehood on January 6, 1912 Climate: Arid Climate with limited rain and snow fall in higher elevations Chief Export: Crude Oil/Cattle State Abbreviation: NM Pictures: Shiprock Landmark (above) New Mexico State Flag (below) Fun Fact: New Mexico was not named after Mexico, but after Mexica which was an Aztec Empire

Oklahoma Capitol – Oklahoma City Oklahoma City was the site of the largest domestic terrorism attack in American History - 1995 Achieved Statehood on November 16, 1907 Climate: Varied Climates with large areas of desert and drylands Chief Export: Natural Gas State Abbreviation: OK Pictures: American Bison (above) Oklahoma State Flag (below) Fun Fact: Oklahoma still has many prairie houses that can be visited from the Westward Expansion

Texas Capitol – Austin 2nd Largest State Achieved Statehood on December 29, 1845 Climate: Mostly Arid/Desert Climate with monsoons and snowfall along the Gulf coast Chief Export: Oil/Cattle State Abbreviation: TX Pictures: The Alamo (above) Texas State Flag (below) Fun Fact: Home of a NASA Space Command. “Houston, we have a problem”