In my opinion, the Southwest does not end at the U.S. border with Mexico, but extends hundreds of miles with the basin and range territory into northwestern Mexico. The border communities of Tijuana, Baja California and Nogales, Sonora, have their own unique mixture of Mexican and American culture that contrasts with cities and towns deeper within Mexico.
Trips to northwestern Mexico, to the Copper Canyon area and the Baja California Peninsula, featured unique experiences. However, common threads were the hospitality and kindness of the Mexican people, who were proud to show off their country, culture, food, and music.
The Spanish created a network of missions and communities in northwestern Mexico where settlements were established as early as the 1500’s.
El Fuerte Gate 31-05: El Fuerte (the fort), Sinaloa is one of the older communities in northwestern Mexico.