9781422286227

8

The West: Arizona, California, Nevada

rich with copper. To the southwest is the Sonoran Desert. Despite its arid climate, several rivers flow through Arizona. The Gila River and its tributaries drain more than half the state. Near Yuma, where the Gila meets the Colorado, sits the lowest point in the state, about 70 feet (21 m) above sea level. Up north, the Colorado River and Little Colorado River cross the state. Arizona has few

277 miles (446 km) long, 18 miles (29 km) wide, and measures a mile (1.6 km) to the canyon floor. The Colorado Plateau also is home to the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, and the state’s highest moun- tain, Humphrey’s Peak, at 12,643 feet (3,854 m). The mountain is a former volcano located near Flagstaff. The center of the state includes mountains and low-lying basins, many

Words to Understand in This Chapter

arid— a dry climate. arroyo— a dry creek that fills with water when it rains. butte— a flat-topped hill or mountain that is taller than it is wide. canyon— steep valley carved by a river. deposits— layers of minerals. immigration— moving from one country to another.

Jesuit— a member of a Roman Catholic order, the Society of Jesus. mesa— a flat-toped hill or mountain that is wider than it is tall. meteorite— a space rock that falls to Earth. plateau— an area of relatively level high ground. semiconductor— a material that can conduct electricity under some circumstances, but not others. Semiconducting material is used to make electronic circuits.