1. The Southwest States

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Oklahoma Capitol – Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City was the site of the largest domestic terrorism attack in American History
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

8. 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”