* As a geographical direction: No, "southwest" is not capitalized when referring to a direction.
* Example: "The wind was blowing from the southwest."
* As a proper noun: Yes, "Southwest" is capitalized when referring to a specific entity, such as an airline or a region with a defined name.
* Example: "We flew Southwest Airlines to Las Vegas."
* Example: "The Southwest is known for its deserts and canyons."
To determine if you should capitalize "southwest," consider whether it refers to a specific place or entity or is simply a direction.