Big Bend National Park in Texas encompasses more
than 80,000 acres of beautiful mesas, tenacious plant life, and
ancient, rugged terrain. The area contains the largest protected
section of the Chihuahuan Desert in the United States.
A variety of peoples, including Native American groups, like the
Chisos, Mescaleros, Apaches, and Comanches, and more recently, Spanish,
Mexican, and American settlers have made their homes in and around
the park. Artifacts found in the area are estimated to be up to
9,000 years old, and historic buildings and landscapes offer a snapshot
of life in the area at the turn of the century.
Elevations in this area climb from around 2,000 feet at the river's
edge, along jagged cliffs of limestone, to an amazing 7,800 feet
in the Chisos Mountains, which was formed by volcanic eruptions
and intrusions 40 to 60 million years ago.
The diversity of topography provides a wide variety of plant and
animal habitat. From the Prickly Pear Cactus to lush cottonwood
trees and from the bright-pink Lucifer Hummingbird to buff-colored
mountain lions, Big Bend National Park is a land of extreme contrast
and beauty.
