The Southwest in the American Mind

Authors

  • James D. Lowry, Jr. East Central University

Keywords:

Southwest, perceptual regions

Abstract

In 1995, over 2,000 Americans, largely college students, were asked where they believe rhe Southwest is located and to identify characteristics of rhe region, cities or orher places which best represent rhe region, and symbols of rhe region. The Southwest as defined by this group is very strongly anchored in Arizona and New Mexico. Orher southwestern areas, in order of importance, are West Texas (specifically rhe El Paso area), sourhern California, southern Nevada, southern Utah, and southern Colorado. The remainders of these five states, plus Arizona and New Mexico, and the southwestern half of Oklahoma, constitute the Southwest. The Southwest is seen primarily as hot, dry, and a desert. Phoenix and Santa Fe are rhe most representative cities of rhe region, and rhe most prominent symbol of rhe region is the cactus (and specifically the saguaro).

Author Biography

  • James D. Lowry, Jr., East Central University

    Department of Cartography and Geography

    East Central University

    Ada, Oklahoma 74820

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Published

2004-01-01

Issue

Vol. 3 (1999)

Section

Articles

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