Where Is It?

Death Valley, is a valley in Eastern California near the border with Nevada that is mostly desert as it is so dry. The valley is part of Death Valley National Park and is the lowest, driest and hottest area in North America.Death Valley is America’s largest National Park covering 3.4million acres.

The valley was given its grim-sounding name by a group of explorers lost here in the winter of 1849-1850.The harsh conditions (including temperatures of over 50 C and flash floods) made the explorers think that they would all die there, even though, as far as we know, only one of them did. Even today, the National Park guidelines recommend to avoid hiking after 10am in the morning.

Why Is It Called ‘Death Valley’?

What Can Grow There?Surprisingly, with high temperatures and little rainfall, there are lots of plants to be found in Death Valley - around 900 species. There is nothing that grows in the salt pan, but in other areas where some water is available are plants including cacti, creosote bush, desert holly and Joshua trees.

Interesting fact: The Joshua Tree is the name of a famous album from the 1980s by the band, U2. The album cover features a photo of a Joshua tree in Death Valley.

MineralsBorax (used in soaps and washing products as well as cleaners and antiseptics), manganese (used in drinks cans), talc (talcum powder) and iron salts (used in vehicle and electronics industries) are among the many minerals that are found in Death Valley. Long ago, people even went there mining for gold.

What Animals Live There?

Among the animals, there are:• coyotes;• sheep called bighorns;• desert jackrabbits; • desert tortoises; • chuckwallas (a type of

large lizard);• lots of different types of

birds.

Wandering Rocks!In a section of Death Valley known as Racetrack Playa, a strange phenomenon happens. Rocks seem to move on their own, leaving long trails behind them in the cracked, bone-dry clay.The wandering rocks have baffled scientists for more than fifty years. Nobody has ever seen them actually moving, yet move they must, because the rocks do change position and leave a trail behind them.A group of young scientists is currently trying to figure out the reason. It seems to be linked to ice assisting the rocks, but they are still investigating.

Film LocationsThanks to its amazing landscapes, Death Valley has been used for many film locations. Some parts can look like other planets, other times or simply a place miles and miles from civilisation.The most famous films shot there were the original Star Wars movies.

Compare Death Valley with Your Area

Research and Compare where you live with Death Valley, and answer these questions about your county or area:

1. What is the meaning of the name of your area?2. What is the climate (including highest and lowest temperatures)?3. What plants are popular?4. What are the native animals?5. What minerals are found naturally?6. Has the area been used as a TV or film location?7. Are there any strange phenomena (like the wandering rocks)?