Guide Note

The Chihuahuan Desert is the second largest desert in North America, at approximately 362,600 square kilometers. On its American side, it occupies regions in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. But the majority of the desert is in Mexico, occupying the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas, and Nuevo León. It is geographically complex, containing numerous basins and mountain ranges, and is one of the most biologically diverse deserts in the world.

Fast Facts

362,600 square kilometers
Higher in elevation than Sonoran Desert
Third largest desert contained entirely in the Western Hemisphere
High level of biological diversity
Has several small mountain ranges
It has received little exploration and study
Contains a few urban areas

Climate

Due to its relatively high elevation, the Chihuahuan Desert's temperatures are typically more mild than other deserts in the area, ranging from 35-40 degrees centigrade. It receives and annual average of about 10 inches of rain, typically during the late summer "monsoon" period.

Flora and Fauna

Though the region has not been as closely studied as other deserts, it is considered biologically diverse due to its variety of indigenous plant life including Agave, Creosote Bush, Mesquite, Prickly Pear, Sotol, Peyote, and its characteristic Lechuguilla. In spite of this variety, conservationists are concerned with the amount of grazing that has damaged local plant populations.

Categories

Geography | Travel | Deserts | North American Destinations | Outdoor Travel

View Note History

Chihuahuan Desert

Also try: Sonoran Desert | Mojave Desert

The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Chihuahuan Desert
Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute: The Chihuahuan Desert Region
University of Texas El Paso: Chihuahuan Desert Home Page
New Mexico State University: The Chihuahuan Desert
World Wildlife Fund: Chihuahuan Desert
U. S. Forest Service: Chihuahuan Semi-Desert
Video: UFO Aircraft Debris in Coyame, Mexico (Time:04:18)

Chihuahuan Desert News

Google News: Chihuahuan Desert
Yahoo! News Search: Chihuahuan Desert
Las Cruces Sun-News: "State: BLM's Review of Otero Mesa Permit is Insufficient" (January 15, 2008)
Austin American Statesman: "State's Biggest Park Offers Improved Access..." (January 05, 2008)
World Wildlife Fund: Chihuahuan Desert :A Victory for Chihuahuan Desert Freshwater Conservation (December 20, 2007)

Chihuahuan Desert History and Background

University of Texas El Paso: The Chihuahuan Desert Through Time
New Mexico Wilderness Alliance: Chihuahuan Desert Region
Encyclopedia of Earth: Chihuahuan Desert
Arizona State University: Chihuahuan Desert Impacts Water Decisions (December 7, 2007)
The Nature Conservancy: Chihuahuan Desert
New Mexico State University: Chihuahuan Desert Study Guides
WildWorld: Chihuahuan Desert
Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue: Virtual Tour of the Northern Chihuahuan Desert

Chihuahuan Desert Travel

National Park Service: Chihuahuan Desert Network
New Mexico Wilderness Alliance: Guadalupe Mountains Complex

Chihuahuan Desert Transportation

Texas Department of Transportation: Texas Airport Directory
Albuquerque International Sunport
Global Air: Arizona Airports

Chihuahuan Desert Activities

Trails.com: Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail | Mountain Bike Trails
New Mexico Tourism: Skydive New Mexico
Aventura Pantera: Camping -Zone of Silence
University of Texas El Paso: hihuahuan Desert Gardens
Texas Tourism: Chihuahuan Desert Visitor Center

Chihuahuan Desert Photos and Videos

Google Image Search: Chihuahuan Desert
Yahoo! Image Search: Chihuahuan Desert
Picsearch: Chihuahuan Desert
Live Search Images: Chihuahuan Desert
YouTube & Google Video: Chihuahuan Desert Search

Chihuahuan Desert Blogs and Forums

Google Blog Search: Chihuahuan Desert
HubPages: The Chihuahuan Desert
DesertUSA: The Chihuahuan Desert
Adventure Rider: Chihuahuan Desert Forum Posts
Ball State University: Chihuahuan Desert Forum
Travel-Best-Destinations: Superman's Cave (January 15, 2008)

Chihuahuan Desert Books and Merchandise

Google Product Search: Chihuahuan Desert
Amazon.com: Chihuahuan Desert Books
eBay: Chihuahuan Desert Merchandise

Related Searches

Deserts | Texas | New Mexico | Arizona | Mexico | Rio Grande | Pecos River | Big Bend National Park | Carlsbad Caverns | White Sands National Monument | Sonoran Desert | Mojave Desert | Gobi Desert | Sahara | Kalahari Desert | Great Basin Desert

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