Encyclopedia

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park, 1,022,703 acres (414,050 hectares), S California. Lying between the high Mojave Desert and the low Colorado Desert, this park has a unique ecosystem in which are preserved rare Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia; see yucca) as well as ocotillos, chollas, and brittlebushes. It is home to a variety of wildlife including bighorn sheep, bobcats, roadrunners, and golden eagles. The area was designated a national monument in 1936 and a national park in 1994. See National Parks and Monuments (table).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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