Where Is the Southwest Desert? North America's Arid Region Defined
The Southwest Desert (often called the American Southwest Desert or North American Desert) is a vast arid region in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Primary U.S. States
- Arizona (largest portion—includes Sonoran, Mojave, and Chihuahuan Desert sections)
- New Mexico (Chihuahuan Desert dominates southern half)
Extended Portions
- Utah (Mojave Desert in southwest corner: St. George, Zion National Park area)
- Nevada (Mojave Desert in southern tip: Las Vegas, Lake Mead)
- Texas (Chihuahuan Desert in Trans-Pecos region: El Paso, Big Bend)
- California (Mojave and Colorado Deserts: Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Coachella Valley)
Mexican Extension
The desert continues south into the Mexican states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas.
Major Desert Subregions
| Desert | Area (sq mi) | Key Features |
|---|
| Chihuahuan | ~140,000 | Largest in N. America; high elevation; creosote, yucca; Big Bend, Carlsbad Caverns |
| Sonoran | ~100,000 | Most biodiverse; saguaro cactus; Phoenix, Tucson, Baja California |
| Mojave | ~48,000 | Joshua trees; Death Valley (lowest/hottest); Las Vegas |
| Great Basin | ~190,000 | Cold desert; sagebrush; mostly Nevada/Utah (sometimes included) |
Key Statistics
- Total Area: ~200,000+ sq mi (518,000+ sq km) for core Southwest deserts
- Elevation Range: -282 ft (Badwater Basin, Death Valley) to 12,000+ ft (Sky Islands mountains)
- Climate: <10 in (250 mm) annual rainfall; extreme summer heat; winter freezing at elevation
Major Cities in the Desert
Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, El Paso, Palm Springs, St. George, Yuma.
Wanderlust World