The climate of this part of California is hot and dry. Its topography is such that it is worth going sight seeing and following the trails upwards to enjoy the general outlook of the landscape. There are a few of them, mountain ranges, and valleys. These include Mojave, sonorant, Colorado, lower Colorado River Valley and the Great Basin. Those consisted of the Valleys themselves include: palm springs and Owens Valleys, Deep Springs and Eureka, Saline and Death, Panamint and Indian Wells, Fremont and Antelope, Victor and Lucerne, Llanfair and Coachella, Imperial and Lower Colorado River Valley. These areas have an enriched natural history and a culture that dates back to the early years. There are parks, nature preserves, and wilderness. They have recreation centers, great sceneries and wildlife and nature reserves.
These areas are a true representation of the beauty of the environment and motivation to protect the flora and fauna and to preserve it as it is without altercations. They are a habitat for many different species of animals and varying types of plants that dwell under such climatic conditions. They also hold a historical attachment about the old west. This makes them a popular tourist destination with certain activities like sightseeing, bird watching, and hiking among many others. The main ones are Mojave, Colorado and the Great Basin. The Mojave itself borders the Tehachapi Mountains, San Gabriel, and San Bernardino and it is extended further into Arizona while also sharing a boundary with Nevada. The Colorado is well located between the Transverse Ranges and the Colorado River. The Great Basin extends into Nevada and is close to the Sierra Nevada cordillera. Snow sometimes falls in the Great Basin, and it is the only area that is not hot and is considered a cold region. These same areas are characterized by low levels of rainfall annually, and minimal water reaches these lands. However, against these odds, these lands still flourish through their adaptation to the region climate.
In the early years before Europe had begun exploring and ventured into America, there were native tribes who resided in these vast areas. The Mohave, Chemehuevi, and Quechan were the early tribes who were found in the Mojave, Great Basin, and Colorado respectively. They hunted animals and gathered fruits, seeds and other edibles for food. This extensive area is protected by the law under the California Desert Protection Act that seeks to protect the area against destruction to preserve it as it is and the life within it. Silver, gold and lead have been found in these areas and mined contributing to the development of transportation systems, for instance, the Tidewater Railroad.
The balance of life in this harsh environment is truly wondrous. During the years, the area has evolved so much to cope with the constant drought and heat so as to harbor and maintain an ecosystem within itself. It has managed to be a gentle environment while still surviving under the harsh conditions. Between them themselves and the valleys, these lands pose an opportunity for real-time adventure. Only by visiting this area can one perceive the very significance of protecting, maintaining and managing the region.