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Western Culture
The culture of the Western United States originated with Native Americans such as the Navajo, Ute, Tlingit, Chumash, and Cheyenne. Even though their influence on some parts of the region have faded, it continues to be strong particularly in the states of Arizona and New Mexico. Later on, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Oregon, and Wyoming became a colony of Spain, the northwestern corner of the great Spanish Empire. Spain actually founded cities such as Santa Fe and Los Angeles. Following a revolution, the region became part of the Republic of Mexico and Mexican influence is still great and is constantly renewed by migrants from Mexico. Many Chinese and other Asain immigrants have also settled in the West, in Hawaii, California, and Washington especially. Also the stereotypical "American West" or "Wild West" in the 1800s was related to Western culture, but many aspects were more associated with the Plains states.
Natural West
One of the things Westerners are most proud of is the beauty and diversity of our natural landscape. Most of the National Parks are here, including the orginal, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. There are several natural environments, including tropical climates, the tallest mountains in the United States, deserts, grasslands, forests, lakes, rivers, and a temperate rainforest in Washington.
Western Cities
The West is an urban culture. The majority of residents live in urban or surburban areas, and many of the rural areas are sparsely populated. Some of the most important Western cities include Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Portland, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Fresno, Mesa, Honolulu, Colorado Springs, Scottsdale, Tacoma, Boise, Santa Fe, Tuscon, Eugene, Spokane, and Salt Lake City.
Western Agriculture
Some parts of the West are important agricultural regions. In Arizona, cotton, hay, lettuce and sorghum are major crops, and cattle are raised. California is especially known as an agricultural state and many crops are grown in no other state. California's biggest crops are grapes, lettuce, almonds, and strawberries. California also has dairy farms and cattle. Colorado is more of a grain state. The top crops in Colorado are hay, corn, wheat, and potatoes. Colorado also has cattle ranching and provides beef for some fast food burger chains. In Hawaii tropical plants can be grown and pineapples, sugarcane, macadamia nuts, and coffee are especially important. Idaho is characterized as mostly growing potatoes, but it also grows wheat, apples, corn, and peas.
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