Southwestern United States

Regional definitions vary from source to source. The states shown in dark red are usually included, while all or portions of the striped states may or may not be considered part of the Southwestern United States.

The southwestern United States (called the American Southwest or simply the Southwest) is a region of the western United States, warmer than the northern states and drier than the eastern states. Its population is less dense than neighboring areas, and with significant Mexican American and American Indian populations, it is also more ethnically varied than neighboring areas. Contained within this region is the Desert Southwest consisting mainly of Arizona and New Mexico. Much of Texas and Oklahoma, and parts of California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah may be considered part of the Southwest.