Deserts of the United States

The U.S. contains four major deserts (sometimes five, depending on classification), all in the Southwest:

• Great Basin Desert – cold desert; covers most of Nevada, western Utah, parts of Oregon/Idaho; sagebrush-dominated.
• Mojave Desert – "high desert" (600–1,500 m); southern California, Nevada, SW Utah, NW Arizona; iconic Joshua trees.
• Sonoran Desert – hottest, most biodiverse; southern Arizona, SE California, NW Mexico; saguaro cactus, two rainy seasons.
• Chihuahuan Desert – largest in North America; West Texas, southern New Mexico, northern Mexico; creosote bush, grasslands.
• Colorado Desert – subsection of Sonoran in SE California (Imperial/Coachella Valleys); below sea level in parts; Salton Sea.

These deserts differ in elevation, temperature regime, precipitation seasonality, and flora. All face pressures from urbanization, groundwater depletion, renewable energy development, and climate change.