The Southwest Region includes which states?

• A. Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah
• B. Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota
• C. Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky
• D. Alabama, Georgia, Florida

Answer: (A)

Regional groupings in social studies place states with similar landscapes and climates into the same area for study. The Southwest region is described as a western U.S. area with desert landscapes and arid conditions, so the states typically included are Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. These six states share geographic and environmental features that define the region in many classroom contexts. The other options align with different parts of the country—the Great Plains/Midwest for Kansas, Nebraska, and North Dakota; the Midwest/Southern edge for Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky; and the Southeast for Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Thus, the set of states listed in the Southwest grouping best fits the commonly taught regional map.