IC.Borderlands

The Hispanic heritage in the Southwest Borderlands of the United States is rich and diverse, with influences from Spanish, Mexican, and Indigenous cultures. Here are some key points:

Historical Background: All of the border states, including California, Texas, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and parts of several other states, were once Spanish territory ¹. This region, known as “New Spain”, along with Florida, which extended west to the Mississippi River, was a separate Spanish colony ¹.
Cultural Influence: The vast majority of Hispanic-Americans or people of mixed Spanish-Indian or Mexican descent reside in an area of the southwestern United States known as the "borderlands" ². This region represents the unique distinct history and culture of the borderlands or "la frontera" ³.
Art and Expression: The Mexic-Arte Museum presents the virtual exhibition “Life and Experiences in the U.S/Mexico Borderlands”, which examines the cultural history and social issues of the border as portrayed by artists in the El Paso/Juárez and the U.S. Mexico border region ³. The exhibition includes prints, photographs, paintings, sculptures, and popular art from the El Paso region, as well as Mexico ³.
Hispanic Heritage and Identity: The Hispanic heritage in the borderlands is a complex mix of Spanish, Indian, and African influences ⁴. The term “gente de razón” was used to refer to Hispanicized non-Spaniards who were generally a mixture of Indian, African, and Spanish blood ⁴.
Migration and Settlement: From the 1780s to the 1820s, thousands of English-speaking frontier folk from the United States moved into Spanish territory ⁵.

This heritage continues to shape the culture, economy, and society of the Southwest Borderlands today. It’s a testament to the enduring influence of Hispanic culture in this region.