Social Studies
The Southwest
Unit 6 Study Guide
The only state in the Southwest region to have a coastline is Texas.
The Colorado Plateau is a huge landform caused by erosion.
Much of the water from the Southwest comes from underground.
Petroleum became extremely valuable when oil could be pumped.
Cattle came to the Southwest with Spanish settlers.
New Mexico is known for computers and technology. The state’s nickname
is Silicon Mesa.
Acoma Pueblo may be one of the oldest continuously lived-in
communities in the United States.
The first Europeans to explore the Southwest were Spanish.
The Mexican holiday that honors the Mexican army’s victory over French
soldiers in 1862 is called Cinco De Mayo.
Legend says that a canyon was formed when Paul Bunyan dragged his ax
across Arizona.
The Dust Bowl of the 1930’s was caused by a long drought.
A small hill with a flat top is called a butte.
A large aquifer, an underground area that holds water, supplies several
regions.
A mesa is a high hill with a flat top; the Spanish word means table.
Kerosene is made from petroleum and used as fuel for lights and heaters.
Using pipes or canals to bring water to crops is called irrigation.
Silicon is a natural material used to make computer chips.
Energy that comes from the sun, or solar energy is collected in solar
panels.
The Spanish used the word pueblo to describe the Native Americans who
lived in villages.
A dried brick used to make houses is called adobe.
A powwow is a Native American festival with food and dancing.
Southwest States & Capitals Test
Austin
Texas
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
Phoenix
Arizona
Santa Fe
New Mexico