Culture of the Western United States

Like much of the United States, the culture of the western part of the country is diverse. Geography, climate, trade and food resources contribute to way human population grew and diversified in this region. People from various ethnic origins supply traditions like music, cuisine and language that play a part in the culture of any given demographic area. The American West is no exception.

The western U.S. is comprised of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana as the eastern boundaries and moves westward to include nine other states. This includes Alaska and Hawaii. Some experts will argue the West is all states west of the Mississippi River. Native Americans, indigenous to North America and Alaska represent different sub-ethnic groups. Although, mainly living on reservations in the west these original Americans have contributed heroically to history. Music, dance, and spirituality of the west are representative of their nations.

European Americans felt it was their right to move west, bringing with them European beliefs. Mexican Americans and other Hispanic cultures continue to influence western society. Mexican cuisine is highly popular in the west. Asian Americans encompass many diverse groups such as Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Filipino.

Their history to the western U.S. is vast. Asiatic cultures bring skills, cuisine and religion to the American West. It is believed Asian Americans out number their European counterparts in Hawaii. African American culture in the west is prevalent, but is not a dominating group. The Hispanic and Asian populace of the west are more prominent and thus contribute greatly to a way of life. The cowboy arriving late in the 19th century lends an atmosphere of idealism and folklore.

The western part of the United States is indeed rich in culture. Music, cuisine, dress, literature, religion, and the arts are all cultivated and symbolic of European, Hispanic, Asian and Native Americans.