Tribes in this region are many. They include the Shoshoni, Nez Perce, Pomo, Apache, Pueblo, Zuni, Paiute, Chumash, Hopi, and Yaqui to name a few. In the northern west area, game was scarce.

This region is very dry. The Indians here gathered roots, acorns, or seeds for food. Along the coast, they caught fish or gathered shellfish like abalone. For this section, we will talk about the greater southwest region of the United States, where the Navajo lived. The Navajo mostly lived in the modern day states which surround the location known as the four corners. These states are Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Some other tribes from this area are the Apache, Hopi, Pima, Pueblo, Zuni, and Yaqui.

The climate in this area is hot and dry. The Southwest is a combination of flat-topped mesas, steep-walled canyons, mountains, valleys, and deserts. In the high deserts winter temperatures can drop below freezing, and in the summer the sun bakes the dry land. Their farm crops survived only if the rains came. They prepared for years of drought by storing their dried corn. This land is arid. In order to survive these conditions, most of the Indians turned to farming.