Faculty Publications

Resurgent Mexican Phoenix

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Mexican, Phoenix, Regional identity, Urban landscape

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Geographical Review

Volume

98

Issue

2

First Page

171

Last Page

196

Abstract

Popular impressions of Phoenix, Arizona perpetuate the notion that this metropolitan area is an overwhelmingly Anglo place. We challenge this assertion and demonstrate that the city has substantial Mexican roots and is presently being shaped by a vibrant, resurgent Mexican population. Employing historical records, surveys, and landscape data, we articulate the Mexican character of early Phoenix and highlight how the revival of Mexican Phoenix has transformed the urban landscape. We then relate how Phoenix's Mexican population is a more nuanced regional subculture formed through both historical and contemporary connections with specific Mexican states. We conclude with a call for greater understanding of the internal heterogeneity of Mexicans in the United States and how this can inform our geographical interpretations of the growing Latinization of American cities. Copyright © 2008 by the American Geographical Society of New York.

Department

Department of Geography

Original Publication Date

1-1-2008

DOI of published version

10.1111/j.1931-0846.2008.tb00295.x

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