Big Bend is part of the vast Chihuahuan Desert that extends from Central Mexico into Southern New Mexico. In the Big Bend, 3 basic life zones are found: Desert, River, and Mountain. The Chisos Mountains have been compared to a green island in a desert sea, hiding a remnant Alpine forest that developed in wetter cooler times tens of thousands of years ago in the Pleistocene. The low desert only appears barren; it is home to a many species of small mammal, reptile and bird. Some of naturals most recent evolutionary experiments are found among the adaptable desert flora. The Rio Grande is a ribbon oasis, harboring a menagerie of riparian and aquatic species, as well as providing an important stop over for migratory fowl every spring and fall.

Big Bend is a complete geology textbook. The story of oceans rising and falling, continents colliding, and millions of years of volcanic turbulence are written large over the land. Cretaceous seas teamed with strange creatures, from tiny mollusks to a dozen specie of Mosasaurs, some measuring to 40 feet. As the seas receded, some of the largest terrestrial creatures so far know to man roamed here. Remains of the 2nd largest flying creature known to have existed, the pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus northropii, were discovered in Big Bend.

Human history began with some of the earliest human activity recorded on the continent, 9000 years ago and. Since then there is a long and fascinating human history associated with the region. Though the region is remote from the rest of humanity, local events and circumstances have played important roles on the world stage of history.

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