Sonoran Desert

North America's hottest desert and saguaro cactus country/Deserts

The Sonoran Desert spans approximately 260,000 square kilometers across the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, making it the hottest desert in North America. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 54 degrees Celsius (327 K) in the shade. It is uniquely biodiverse for a desert, home to roughly 2,000 plant species including the iconic saguaro cactus, which can live for 200 years and hold 3,000 liters of water. The Sonoran is proof that hostile environments breed the most interesting residents.