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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 (even its cities have relatively low population density), and with significant Spanish American, 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. Parts of Nevada and Utah, Western Texas and Oklahoma, Southern California, and Southwestern Colorado may be considered part of the Southwest, although the precise definition varies widely. Generally, people from the Eastern United States are more prone to consider Texas and Oklahoma part of the Southwest (often omitting California entirely), while people from California, Arizona, and New Mexico consider most of Texas to be part of the deep South or Old South, perhaps with the exception of Westernmost Texas (e.g., El Paso and San Antonio). Los Angeles is the largest city in the Southwestern United States (and 2nd largest in the combined nation), however Phoenix also ranks among the United States' 10 largest cities. Many of the urban areas in this region (e.g., Las Vegas) have witnessed some of the fastest population growth in the United States over the past decade. This region is known for its bold art. Tex Mex cuisine was popularized in West Texas, although more traditional Southwestern cuisine can be found west of Texas.
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