Southern New Mexico: hot, dry and  exposed come to mind. This arid region, once a part of New Spain, then Mexico and now known as the “Land of Enchantment” by the good old U.S. of A, has been inhabited by indigenous peoples for centuries. As always, the hearty few who call this high desert home must be extremely resilient not to mention creatively resourceful when it comes to scratching out an existence from the inhospitable land. Taking advantage of ample sun, wind and wide open spaces, people here know how to work the seemingly impossible conditions. Here’s a look:
 

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  A large-scale solar array captures southern New Mexico’s plentiful sunshine.

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  Untold amounts of red chile peppers dry in the sun at Grajeda’s chili farm in the small village of Hatch.

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  You better believe it.

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  Red chile, the region’s No. 1 export, catch the evening light.

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  Residents of a cattle ranch line up at the tough for an afternoon feed.