The Southwest Border Area: Tricultural Development (Chapter 14)

This is basically what you will find around the southern edges of our country, dividing United States and Mexico. It's quite sad that we have to have over-the-top borders, but it is necessary in order to prevent importation of drugs and others that the video below shows. (This image is not mine, it is from http://latindispatch.com/2010/09/15/on-the-southwest-border-photo-essay/)

Here is a video showing illegal crossings.
                                            


                                          
                                 The Southwest Border Area. (This map is from http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/publication/2008/06/20080618211737eaifas0.8352472.html#axzz2DvN2ixrb)


So again, California is also part of another area called the Southwest Border Area. According to the map given in the chapter, The entire Los Angeles is part of this area. The Southwest culture is identified by three groups coexisting, and these are the: Spanish American, American Indian, and Northwest European American people. This is evident here in Southern California. Strong diversity of cultures exist in Los Angeles with the Mexican/Spanish, Native American, and Anglo influences throughout. One of the strongest cultures here in California is the Mexican culture. California was once owned by the Spanish around 1769 through the mission system. After the Spanish left California, the Mexican took over and cemented some of it's European Spanish influences. Going back to the borders, according to the book, "perhaps nowhere else in the world do high-income societies meet in such close geographic proximity as along the US-Mexico border." You will see great contrasts along the border.

Here is another video os General Craig Mckinley in California. Talking about the military service around the border.