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Stop 1
The Chihuahuan Desert
The Chihuahuan Desert is largest of the North
American deserts. From where the park is located, it extends almost
200 miles (322 km) north and 600 miles (966km) south. Most
of the 250,000 square mile desert is located in the state of Chihuahua,
Mexico. This is where the desert got its name.
The climate of the Chihuahuan Desert is relatively
mild compared with other deserts, partially due to an elevation
that averages 4,500 feet (1,372 m) above sea level. Summers
are hot, while winters can be cold. The wet season (July through
September) brings more than 50% of the average annual precipitation.
In this region of the Chihuahuan Desert, the average annual precipitation
is 8.9 inches (22.6 cm).
The Chihuahuan Desert is one of the most biologically
diverse deserts on the planet. It ranks #1 among deserts for the
number of aquatic species and the number of mammal species. More
than 300 species of cacti are found here. |
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