Page 24 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Southwest USA & National Parks

22  INTRODUCING THE SOUTHWEST A POR TR AIT OF THE SOUTHWEST  23

Society tourism, the production of coal, and performers visit such cities
The Southwest is a crossroads of the three crafts such as pottery, baskets, and Hopi as Phoenix and Las Vegas,
great cultures that shaped America: Native kachina dolls. Some Native festivals and which is world-renowned
American, Hispanic, and Anglo-American. dances are open to visitors, although, for for its dazzling casinos.
The Spanish language is prominent, and spiritual reasons, some are private affairs. One of the region’s most
everyday English is peppered with a A trinity of religions is dominant in famous attributes is the
range of Spanish phrases, reflecting the Southwest. Native American quality of light found in
a heritage stretching back to the spiritual beliefs are complex, as the hills of northern New
16th century: Spanish explorers each tribe has different practices, Mexico. Georgia O’Keeffe
were in the Southwest in 1540, often tied to ancestors and the land. (1887–1986), who painted
80 years before the Pilgrims The Roman Catholicism brought striking and vivid depictions
landed at Plymouth Rock. here by the conquering Spanish is of the local landscape,
A host of Native American the main religion in much of the Mountains rise behind the towering walls of the Hoover Dam across the Colorado River helped to make the area
languages are also spoken across region. Utah’s residents, however, bordering Nevada and Arizona around Santa Fe a mecca
the Southwest, reflecting the history are predominantly Mormon. for all kinds of artists. Today,
of the region’s native inhabitants. Such intense urbanization has put pressure the city is ranked as the third-largest art
The Hopi and other Pueblo peoples Politics on the region’s resources, particularly water. market in the US. Native artisans also
trace their ancestry back to the When Arizona and New Mexico In the 1930s, dam-building projects were produce fine artifacts: the pottery of Maria
ancient peoples who built the cliff gained statehood in 1912, they initiated in the western states, starting with Martinez (1881–1980) of San Idelfonso
dwellings at Mesa Verde, Canyon Hopi kachina doll became part of the democratic the Hoover Dam. By the 1960s, however, Pueblo is highly regarded, as are the
de Chelly, and Chaco Canyon. The republic of the United States of it was clear that in order to generate paintings of Navajo artist R. C. Gorman
Navajo occupy the largest reservation America. Today, they are the nation’s fifth- electricity, irrigate farms, and supply cities, (1931–2005), and the work of Pueblo
in the US, stretching across the northern and sixth-largest states. Although Phoenix more dams were needed. The controversial potter Nancy Youngblood Lugo (b. 1955).
ends of both Arizona and New Mexico. is the sixth most pop ulated city in the Glen Canyon Dam, opened in 1963, flooded The Southwest is as much a state of
The Apache and several other tribes US, the region still remains one of a vast area of natural beauty, as well as mind as it is a geographical region.
also occupy land here. Today’s Native the least populated. Native ruins and sacred sites. Today, many The attractions of the landscape and
populations have a hand in the The cities of Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, local tribes have asserted ownership of the a romantic sense of the past combine
government of their own lands and use Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, water on their lands. to conjure up the idealized legends of
a variety of ways to supplement their and Las Vegas account for around 60 the “Wild West.” For many visitors, the
traditional economies – through casinos, percent of the Southwest’s population. Culture and the Arts Southwest offers the opportunity to
Vast wilderness and a warm climate make indulge that bit of cowboy in their souls.
outdoor leisure popular in the Southwest.
There are miles of hiking trails, rivers for
white-water rafting, lakes for watersports,
ski resorts, and some of the US’s finest
golf courses. One of the best ways to
experience the landscape is on a trail ride,
while armchair cowboys can attend that
great Southwestern event – the rodeo.
Phoenix, Tucson, Santa Fe, and
Albuquerque are home to symphony
orchestras, theater, opera, and dance
companies. Hispanic music flourishes
throughout the Southwest, and traditional
Native American dances are held in many
pueblos and pow wows. Famous for
popularizing Native American flute music,
R. Carlos Nakai collaborates with composers
and orchestras to create cross-cultural
Looking out from Mummy Cave Overlook in Canyon de Chelly’s Canyon de Muerto classical and jazz music. International star Hikers on the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon

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