The climates of Tijuana and Monterrey reflect the aridity of much of this region. This part of Mexico is heavily influenced by its proximity to the United States.
Language contains many English words, and U.S. culture is much in evidence.
Economic activities, too, reflect the proximity of its neighbor to the north. Along the coastal plains one finds large corporately-owned farms that depend upon irrigation and also export products to the U.S. market. Politically the region tends to be independent thinking.