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Northern Mexico

Cultural region of Mexico

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  • 3 chapters

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There is no specific border that separates the northern states from the southern states in Mexico. For some authors, only states that have a border with the United States are considered as northern Mexico, i.e. Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Sonora and Tamaulipas. Others also include Durango, Sinaloa and Baja California Sur. Other people consider that the north starts above the Tropic of Cancer, but this description would include some parts of Zacatecas such as Rio Grande, Miguel Auza, Juan Aldama, General Fransico R. Murgia, Villa de Cos, Mazapil, Concepción del Oro, Melchor Ocampo, and El Salvador, and including northern San Luis.

The region shares some common characteristics, such as its predominantly dry, desert climate, though temperate climates are also present. Its diverse topography includes high-altitude areas like the Sierra de Baja California on the Baja California peninsula, the Sierra Madre Oriental, and the Sierra Madre Occidental, as well as low-lying areas such as the Pacific coastal plain and the Gulf coastal plain. Some authors suggest it is the cultural stronghold of the former General Command of the Interior Provinces.

History

Before colonization

It is not known precisely when the first settlers came to northern Mexico. The harsh climate in the region limited the practice of agriculture, so ancient cultures developed a nomadic lifestyle dedicated to hunting and gathering.

One of the most important native cultures in northern Mexico are the Tepehuanes of Durango, whose autonym is Odami "people from the mountains". Similarly, the Rarámuri "people who run" of Chihuahua are called the Tarahumaras by outsiders. Other important cultures are the Mayos in Sinaloa and Sonora, the Yaquis in Sonora, and the Laguneros of Laguna Pueblo in Coahuila. In Nuevo León, many nomads were exterminated for resisting the construction of Monterrey.

Colonial era

The first city of the region was Durango, founded in 1563 by Francisco de Ibarra, a Basque explorer. During the colonial era, Durango, Chihuahua and some parts of Sinaloa and Coahuila were a Basque colony named the Nueva Vizcaya. Now, most Duranguenses are Basque descendants. Other important cities like Monterrey were founded almost 50 years later.

The Spanish rulers expanded the northern frontier of the colony through centuries of difficult conquest. In the late 18th century, they established a punitive policy to defend against indigenous raids from the north. During this period, they also established separate governance for the northern regions, which were thought of as "interior provinces" from the perspective of people in Mexico City.

Postcolonial era

Northern Mexico's proximity to the United States became a major factor in the region's postcolonial history, as the northern half of Mexico was annexed into the United States by the mid-19th century. During the Porfiriato, the region's traditionally agricultural economy was disrupted as it became the focus of capital investments from the United States and the rest of Mexico.

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