C H A P T E R Innisfree McKinnon University of Oregon © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Lecture Outline MexAmerica 14

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Learning Objectives Environmental Setting –Boundaries of the region –Physiographic subregions –Endemic species Historical Settlement –Conflicts between indigenous people and Spanish explorers –19 th century entry of the region into the U.S.

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Learning Objectives Political Economy –Maquiladoras & NAFTA Culture, People, Places –Hispanic cultural landscapes –Political, social, economic challenges

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Regional Boundaries & Border Regions Physical boundaries: ex. the Rio Grande Geometric boundaries: ex. West of El Paso Cultural boundaries: not clear in S.W. Spatial interaction Symmetry

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Landforms Southern extensions of mountain ranges to the north To the west: Basin & Range Central: Rocky Mountains Eastern: southern extension of Great Plains Far eastern: Gulf Coastal Plain

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Climate Vary widely Generally hot, dry Death Valley – driest place in N. America Mojave Desert, Sonoran Desert,Chihuahuan Desert Eastern portion not as dry Flash flooding, water shortages

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Endemic Species Desert tortoise – native to Mojave Desert –Threatened by habitat destruction Saguaro cactus Organ pipe cactus Elf Owl Gila Monster

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Native Americans 40,000 indigenous people lived in Rio Grande area in outlying areas

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Spanish Exploration 1528 Cabeza de Vaca – shipwrecked Francisco Vasquez de Coronado – searching for cities of gold 3 centuries of Spanish settlement

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. 19 th Century Territorial Struggles Mexican independence U.S. annexes Texas U.S. – Mexico War 1848 – the Treat of Guadalupe Hidalgo –Ceded New Mexico & Arizona as well 1853 – southern towns added through Gadsden Purchase

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Mexican Migration After 1853 migrants from Mexico continued 2010 Latino Pop. –37.6% in New Mexico and 29% in Arizona

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Border Political Economy Historically a poor backwater in U.S. & Mexico Currently growing in pop. & income "Gateway" area Agriculture limited to "Winter Garden" & Colorado River

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. NAFTA & the Secondary Sector 1960s – Mexican zona libre (free trade zone) Maquiladoras 1994 (NAFTA) North American Free Trade Agreement Increasing investment in manufacturing

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. MexAmerican Cultural Landscapes Tex-Mex & Mexican Food Spanish language music Spanish language signs Roman Catholic churches

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Places in South & Central Texas Gulf Coast –Corpus Christi –Brownsville Rio Grande west & north –Traditionally agricultural –Growing industry –Laredo & Nuevo Laredo

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. El Paso Large pop. Center >2 million Twin city: Juarez is even larger Many maquiladoras To the north little pop. –Big Bend National Park San Antonio & El Paso San Antonio Redeveloped central plaza Active music scene Shopping districts

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Places in New Mexico Pop. centered around Rio Grande Valley Albuquerque = largest city –Center for energy/space research (Los Alamos) Santa Fe = state capital

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Places in Arizona Phoenix = largest city –Located in a river valley –Water for irrigation & pop. Growth Sun City = retirement community Tucson = university community & blue- collar Yuma = hottest, driest city in N. America?

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. The Future of Mexamerica Challenges: –NAFTA and rapid growth –Colonias –Pollution –Increasing drug trade –Border security

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Border Communities & Border Fences Many communities cross the border –i.e. twin cities Many cross daily for work, shopping, recreation

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. The Future of Mexamerica Growing prominence w/in N. America Political influence of Latino community Increasing cultural influence –Movies, music, TV

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. End Chapter 14