Question

Why are traditional mexican foods, catholic religious traditions, and mexican festivals popular in the american southwest?

Answer 1

The area was once a part of mexico

Answer 2

The American southwest was first travelled and established by the Spanish who carried their Catholic religious societies to the area. The food is perhaps more of a combination between Spanish and Indian palates. Indians showed the Spanish what was eatable in the New World and everyone placed it all together. Likewise, the zone was formerly a part of Mexico.