Western Culture

The Western United States traditionally constitutes the states west of the Mississippi. There are mid-west states, northwest states, and the Pacific states. Annual rainfall for these regions is described as more rainfall in the eastern regions of the west, then dries up for the mid-west, and increases again in the farther western states. Along with the varying rainfall, temperatures also fluctuate for the western states, as well as the moisture in the air.

There is a wide variety in the culture as well. Although there are similarities in some of the mid-western states, there are many differences from farthest east to farthest west. Typically, when people think of the west, they think of cowboys and ranches, but there are many faces to the west. Western states do have a rustic type lifestyle - the adobe style homes, southwestern food is their specialty, the southwestern style décor, and southwestern music. The foliage in the west is also very different. Where the eastern states are covered in hardwoods and oaks, the mid-western states are known for their barren look, dotted with sage brush and cacti.

There are a lot of mixed cultures in the west, with Native Americans and Spanish culture mixed. There are reservations that fill vast lands, and their casinos that consume large quantities of open spaces. The feel in the west is casual; it is a laid-back pace of life. Jewelry is a big commodity out west, from Aztec to Native American. The laid-back approach to life in the west can be a welcomed feel to someone moving from the fast-paced east coast.