Altar Valley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Altar Valley |
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Typical Sonoran Desert bajada lands
(from Kitt Peak, Quinlan Mountains, NW valley) |
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 Altar Valley
Location in Arizona
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| Length | 45 mi (72 km) |
| Geography | |
| Population centers | Robles Junction, AZ-N Sasabe, AZ-S |
| Borders on | Quinlan Mountains-NW Baboquivari Mountains-SW |
The Altar Valley is a long valley in Pima County, Arizona, in the United States. It stretches for about 45 miles (72 km) from the Mexico border in the south to the Avra Valley in the north. This valley is a cool place to explore the desert landscape of Arizona.
Exploring the Altar Valley
The Altar Valley runs mostly north to south. It is located west of the Tucson Mountains. A road called Arizona State Route 286 goes right through the middle of the valley.
The valley is surrounded by mountains. To the west, you'll find the big Baboquivari Mountains. To the east, there are several other mountain ranges. The town of Sasabe, Arizona is at the southern end of the valley, right on the border with Mexico.
Near the center of the valley is a spot called Baldy Peak. It's part of the Sierrita Mountains and stands about 4,120 feet (1,256 meters) tall.
What are Sky Islands?
The Altar Valley is part of a special area called the Madrean Sky Islands. Imagine tall mountains rising up like islands from a "sea" of desert. These "sky islands" are cooler and wetter than the desert below. This means they have different plants and animals living on them.
This region is in southeast Arizona, southwest New Mexico, and parts of northern Mexico. These mountains were formed a long time ago by big shifts in the Earth's crust.
Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
A large part of the Altar Valley is covered by the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is a protected area for wildlife. It borders the valley on the southeast and covers about half of its length. The town of Sasabe, Arizona is actually surrounded by this refuge.
The refuge helps protect many animals and plants that live in the Sonoran Desert. It's a great place for nature lovers to visit and see wildlife.
