Plateau and Southwest American Indian Culture

Flashcards about the Plateau and Southwest cultural regions.

What are the main geographical features of the Plateau cultural region?

Flatlands, rolling hills, and steep gorges.

What are the boundaries of the Plateau cultural region?

Cascade Range (west), Rockies (east), and Fraser River (north).

Which two major river systems are in the Plateau region?

Columbia and Fraser Rivers.

How did the Plateau people build their homes?

Partly underground to stay cool in summer and warm in winter.

What weaving skills did the Plateau people use to create?

Baskets and elaborate hats.

What animals did Plateau men hunt in the fall?

Antelope and deer.

What was a particular favorite plant food of the Plateau people?

Camas (a starchy root).

What was the most important food to Plateau people?

Salmon.

What present-day states are included in the Southwest cultural region?

Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah, Colorado, and portions of Texas, Oklahoma, and California.

What are the different environments of the Southwest cultural region?

Canyons, mountains, deserts, and flat-topped mesas.

Which two major rivers flow through the Southwest cultural region?

Colorado and Rio Grande.

What material did the mesa people use to build their homes?

Adobe (sun-baked clay).

What is a pueblo?

A village of the mesa people.

What was the most important crop for the mesa people?

Corn.

Where did farmers plant to make the most of rain in the southwest?

Near naturally flooded areas or bases of mesas.