Language and Content
Success in Social Science
Learn About Regions of the U.S.
A region is a part of a country.
The geography of a region includes its physical features, like mountains, rivers, forests, or deserts.
A product map shows what is produced in a region.
product map
state
product
Cattle
Copper
Cotton
Natural Gas
Oil
The climate of a region is what the weather is usually like there. In the Southwest in weather is ususally hot and dry in the summer.
Listen to the article. Then do the Review.
• What is the southwestern region of the United States like?
The southwestern region of the United States is made up of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. It covers over 572,300 square miles.
Most of the region has a warm and dry climate in the summer. For example, it is about 83°F in Houston, Texas, in July. Only 3 to 4 inches of rain fall there at that time.
You can see interesting landforms in the region. One of the most famous is the Grand Canyon. Flat-topped hills called mesas are in Arizona and New Mexico. Texas has many dry plains.
Mesa
The Southwest produces useful products. There is a lot of oil and natural gas throughout the region. Many people raise cattle, too. Cotton and copper are two other important products from the region.
Oil Well
The Southwest was once part of Mexico. Cities, rivers, and other places still have Spanish names. Mexican celebrations are important in the culture of the region. Many Mexican Americans live in the Southwest.
Midwest
Northeast
West
Southwest
Southeast
Most people who live in the Southwest live near the major cities. For example, more than 2,144,491 people live in the Houston, Texas, area.
The Southwest is a region of richness from its geography to its products.
1. Check Your Understanding What is the Southwest like?
2. Use Product Maps What does Arizona produce? What does Texas produce?
3. Vocabulary Name the other regions in the United States. In which region do you live?