A trip through valley of Tehuacán to the ancient city of Oaxaca in southern Mexico is an exploration of influence. Spanish Influence. The route through some of the richest desert landscapes in the world is ripe with examples of the domination of Spanish culture on the native way of life. From the construction of immense missions to the introduction of the plants (like the mango), and even the distillation process, the Spanish impact on native culture in undeniable. However, there were things the Spaniards knew not to change. Even today, salt mining occurs in the same places and in the same way as it has for centuries before the Spaniards arrived.