Aridoamerica vs.'American Southwest'
If you’re a byproduct of the US or Texas education system, then there’s a good chance you think of El Paso as part of the “Southwest” culture. This stems from our education of Native Americans, and how they position/relate to the United States and the colonies. There’s no denying that El Paso del Norte is in the southwest region of the United States. However, the “American Southwest” often refers to the landscape, weather, and people –– things not affected by an international boundary.
Mexico is home to more world heritage sites than any other country in our hemisphere. If we follow their lead on how to think about our native land, we should consider this region part of the Aridoamerica and Oasisamerica regions. These designations are defined by things like altitude, vegetation, people, and the Chihuahuan Desert –– regardless of the country it is part of today.
The Chihuahuan Desert, as well as the city and state, are all derived from the Nahuatl (nao-wat) word, Xicuahua (shee-kah-wah). Some believe the word describes “the land where the rivers meet” while others use it to describe “a dry and sandy place.” Just considering the topography, they’re both correct. The World Wildlife Fund has declared our home one of the most unique arid regions in the world. Not only is our desert the largest in the Western Hemisphere (larger than the state of California), but it’s also the most biologically diverse desert on this side of the world.
Using the river as an icon for our home also addresses our shared ecosystem. It’s that cohabitation of a small part of Earth that we still have in common with our ancestors. Climate and topography is what always helped humans establish cultures, customs, and tribes. And it’s El Paso del Norte’s natural environment that made it an intersection since the very beginning.
The Chihuahuan Desert, as well as the city and state, are all derived from the Nahuatl (nao-wat) word, Xicuahua (shee-kah-wah). Some believe the word describes “the land where the rivers meet” while others use it to describe “a dry and sandy place.” Just considering the topography, they’re both correct. The World Wildlife Fund has declared our home one of the most unique arid regions in the world. Not only is our desert the largest in the Western Hemisphere (larger than the state of California), but it’s also the most biologically diverse desert on this side of the world.
Using the river as an icon for our home also addresses our shared ecosystem. It’s that cohabitation of a small part of Earth that we still have in common with our ancestors. Climate and topography is what always helped humans establish cultures, customs, and tribes. And it’s El Paso del Norte’s natural environment that made it an intersection since the very beginning.
If you’re a byproduct of the US or Texas education system, then there’s a good chance you think of El Paso as part of the “Southwest” culture. This stems from our education of Native Americans, and how they position/relate to the United States and the colonies. There’s no denying that El Paso del Norte is in the southwest region of the United States. However, the “American Southwest” often refers to the landscape, weather, and people –– things not affected by an international boundary.
Mexico is home to more world heritage sites than any other country in our hemisphere. If we follow their lead on how to think about our native land, we should consider this region part of the Aridoamerica and Oasisamerica regions. These designations are defined by things like altitude, vegetation, people, and the Chihuahuan Desert –– regardless of the country it is part of today.