May 3, 200610:29 AMThe Life

Deserts of the world: Great Basin

The Great Basin Desert is the largest in America, covering about 190,000 square miles between the Sierra Nevadas and the Rockies. It's a "cold desert," due to its relatively northern latitude and high elevations (usually 4,000 to 6,500 feet). Precipitation generally measures 7-12 inches annually, and often falls as snow in the winter.

It has only occasional yuccas and very few cacti. [Click thumbnail photo to enlarge.]

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