Sonoran

Sonoran is an adjective used for things related to the Sonora region of northwestern Mexico, especially the Mexican state of Sonora, and to the Sonoran Desert, a major North American desert that stretches into the United States. The term can also denote the people who live in Sonora and their culture, or more broadly the cultural and natural features associated with the region.

Geography and ecology: The Sonoran Desert occupies roughly 260,000 square miles (670,000 square kilometers) and extends across northern Mexico (including Sonora, Baja California, Baja California Sur) and into the southwestern United States (primarily Arizona and a portion of California). It is known for a bimodal rainfall pattern, with winter precipitation and summer monsoons, and for high biodiversity. Iconic flora include the saguaro cactus and organ pipe cactus; fauna include the Sonoran pronghorn and many endemic species.

People and culture: The state of Sonora is home to diverse communities, including Indigenous groups such as the Yaqui and Mayo in Sonora and the Tohono O’odham in the border region. In English, residents of Sonora are commonly called Sonorans or Sonorenses in Spanish.

Economy and culture: The region has a diversified economy, with agriculture (vegetables, citrus) supported by irrigation; mining (notably copper) and manufacturing; and growing tourism. Sonoran cuisine is a notable regional tradition, recognized for dishes such as carne asada and the Sonoran hot dog, and for distinctive flour tortillas.