Sierra de la Giganta

Sierra de la Giganta
Eastern face, seen from the Gulf of California
Highest point
Peak	Cerro de la Giganta
Elevation	3,858 ft (1,176 m)
Prominence	1,380 m (4,530 ft)
Geography
Sierra de la Giganta Show map of Baja California Sur Sierra de la Giganta Show map of Mexico
Country	Mexico
State	Baja California Sur
Municipality	La Paz Municipality and Loreto Municipality
Range coordinates	26°11′N111°37′W / 26.19°N 111.61°W / 26.19; -111.61

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.

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

• Flora of Baja California Sur
• Peninsular Ranges topics

Sierra de la Giganta seen west of the Loreto Airport.

References

1. Bally, Albert W.; Palmer, Allison R. (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.

External links

• Flickr photo set: Sierra de la Giganta