Sierra de la Giganta

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Sierra de la Giganta
SierraDeLaGiganta 2002 Thomas Kestas.jpg
Eastern face, seen from the Gulf of California
Highest point
PeakCerro de la Giganta
Elevation 3,858 ft (1,176 m)
Prominence 1,380 m (4,530 ft)  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Geography
Mexico Baja California Sur location map.svg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Sierra de la Giganta
Mexico relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Sierra de la Giganta
Country Mexico
State Baja California Sur
Municipality La Paz Municipality and Loreto Municipality

The Sierra de la Giganta is a mountain range of eastern Baja California Sur state, located on the southern Baja California Peninsula in northwestern Mexico.

Contents

It is a mountain range of the Peninsular Ranges System, which extends 1,500 km (930 mi) from Southern California, through the Baja California Peninsula in Baja California and Baja California Sur states.

Geography

The Sierra de la Giganta extends along the southeastern Baja California Peninsula, parallel and close to the coast of the Gulf of California—Sea of Cortez. The highest point is Cerro de la Giganta at 3,858 feet (1,176 m) in elevation, located near Loreto

The range runs from Loreto in Loreto Municipality west of Loreto, southwards to La Paz Municipality northwest of La Paz. [1]

Ecology

The range is predominantly covered in dry (or xeric) shrubland. The Baja California desert ecoregion covers the Pacific (western) slope of the range, and the Gulf of California xeric scrub ecoregion covers the gulf (eastern) slope. Stream valleys with year-round water sustain palm oases, with groves of the native palm Washingtonia robusta and other moisture-loving plants. [2]

See also

Sierra de la Giganta seen west of the Loreto Airport. Loreto Airport 100 0225.jpg
Sierra de la Giganta seen west of the Loreto Airport.

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References

  1. Albert W. Bally; Allison R. Palmer (1989). Geology of North America—An Overview. Geological Society of America. pp. 245–. ISBN   978-0-8137-5445-1.
  2. "Gulf of California xeric scrub". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.

26°11′N111°37′W / 26.19°N 111.61°W / 26.19; -111.61