Editing Sonora (section)

==Geography==

===Natural divisions===
[[File:Hasteecöla.JPG|thumb|left|Hastéecöla peaks near Bahía Kino]]

Sonora is located in northwest Mexico. It has a territory of {{Convert|184,934|km2|sqmi}} and is the second largest state of the country.<ref name="mediofisico">{{cite web |url=http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_sonora |title=Medio Físico |year=2010 |work=Enciclopedia de Los Municipios y Delegaciones de México Estado de Sonora |publisher=Instituto para el Federalismo y el Desarrollo Municipal |location=Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Geography |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=December 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201232501/http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_sonora }}</ref><ref name="gobiernosonora">{{cite web |url= http://www.gobierno.com.mx/estado/sonora/ |title = Sonora |year=2011 |publisher= Gobierno de Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |access-date=February 15, 2011}}</ref> It borders the states of Sinaloa, Chihuahua, and Baja California Norte, with the United States to its north and the Gulf of California to its west.<ref name="gobiernosonora"/> Its border with the United States is {{Convert|588|km|mi}} long.<ref name="mediofisico"/> The state is divided into five hydraulic regions – Río Colorado, Sonora Norte, Sonora Sur, Sinaloa, Cuencas Cerradas del Norte.<ref name="mediofisico"/><ref name="regionalizacion">{{cite web |url=http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_sonora |title=Regionalización |year=2010 |work=Enciclopedia de Los Municipios y Delegaciones de México Estado de Sonora |publisher=Instituto para el Federalismo y el Desarrollo Municipal |location=Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Regions |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=December 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201232501/http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_sonora }}</ref>

The state's geography is divided into three regions created by the rise of the [[Sierra Madre Occidental]] mountains and the separation of the [[Baja California Peninsula]], with all three running roughly north–south. The mountains dominate eastern Sonora, while the center is dominated by plains and rolling hills, which then extend west to the coast on the Gulf of California.<ref name="mediofisico"/><ref name="yetman1315">Yetman, pp. 13–15</ref>

===Center plains and coast===
[[File:Valle de Sonora.jpg|thumb|Valley of Sonora]]

The center plains and coastline were both created by the tearing away of the Baja California Peninsula between ten and twelve million years ago. These plains are between {{Convert|50|km|mi}} and {{Convert|120|km|mi}} wide, wedged between the Sierra Madre and the Gulf of California, which began to form between 5.5 and 6 million years ago. Climate patterns bring moisture east from the Pacific Ocean, forming rivers and streams that cross the plains area and empty into the gulf. These rivers have brought down sediment from the volcanic rock of the Sierra Madre and eventually buried most of the mountains and hills of the center of the state, smoothing them into plains. These soils are rich in clays and thousands of feet thick in places, making this region very fertile, only lacking water.<ref name="yetman1315"/>

The state has {{Convert|816|km|mi}} of coastline, all of which faces the Gulf of California, with its relatively shallow and very calm waters.<ref name="mediofisico"/> There are beaches along most of this coastline, some of which with fine, white sand. The best known of these are [[San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas|San Carlos]], [[Puerto Peñasco]] and [[Bahía Kino]]. San Carlos, with its Los Algodones Beach is one of the most visited areas on the Sonoran coast. ''Los Algodones'' ("The Cottons") is named for its dunes of white sand, which can be compared to cotton balls. San Carlos has a large variety of sea life off its shores, making it popular for sports fishing and scuba diving. A number of Yaquis, Seris and [[Guaymas]] on and around the Tetakawi Hill, making a living from fishing.<ref name="79playas">{{cite journal |last= Mota |first= Heriberto |date=November 2009 |title= Puerto Peñasco-San Carlos-Bahía de Kino |journal= Dónde ir de Viaje:79 Playas de México |pages=16–17 |location=Mexico City |publisher= Quebecor World México |editor1-first= David |editor1-last= Díaz Robles |language=es}}</ref><ref name="losalgodones">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/playas/playa-los-algodones/ |title=Playa los Algodones |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211202244/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/playas/playa-los-algodones/ }}</ref>
[[File:San carlos sonora.jpg|thumb|View of San Carlos]]

Puerto Peñasco is located in the extreme northwest of the state in the Upper Gulf somewhat near where the Colorado River empties. It contains {{Convert|110|km|mi}} of beaches on calm seas, located in the Altar Desert near El Pinacate biosphere reserve, with some of the driest climates in Mexico. Since the 1990s, it has experienced large-scale development along its {{Convert|110|km|mi}} of beaches, which have calm seas. The area has experienced a building boom since the 2000s.<ref name="79playas"/> However, as of late 2013, many buildings are vacant, for sale, or neglected due to the suppressed economic conditions and the corresponding decline in tourism.

Bahía Kino is located near San Carlos, with a dock located in the community of Kino Viejo. This bay's beaches have white sand, with warm calm waters off of them. For this reason, Bahía Viejo calls itself ''la perla del Mar de Cortés'' ("the pearl of the Gulf of California"). The area is popular for scuba diving and sports fishing as its waters are filled with various species of multicolored fish, small invertebrates, large crustaceans, manta rays, [[sponges]] and turtles. On the neighboring islands, [[sea lion]]s can be seen. Off this coast is the [[Isla Tiburón]], Mexico's largest island and a nature reserve with wild sheep and deer. There are indigenous communities here, especially at [[Punta Chueca]], which still practice hunting, fishing and collecting natural resources, as well as selling crafts to tourists.<ref name="79playas"/><ref name="bkinogob">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/playas/bahia-de-kino/ |title=Bahía de Kino |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Bahía Kino |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204213718/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/playas/bahia-de-kino/ }}</ref>

Lesser known beaches include [[El Desemboque]], [[El Himalaya]] and [[Huatabampito]]. El Desemboque is a small Seri village with beaches located {{Convert|370|km|mi}} northwest of [[Hermosillo]], just south of [[Puerto Libertad (Sonora)|Puerto Libertad]]. Activities in the area include scuba diving and swimming in isolated and relatively undeveloped beaches. The current name is from Spanish (disembarkation point), but the Seri name for the area means "where there are clams".<ref name="eldesemboque">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/playas/el-desemboque/ |title=El Desemboque |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211202235/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/playas/el-desemboque/ }}</ref> El Himalaya Beach is located forty km from [[Guaymas]]. It is a semi virgin beach surrounded by calm waters, mountains, and unusual species of flora and fauna and cave paintings. The area is filled with large stone yellow-red rock formations that were created by a volcanic eruption.<ref name="elhimalaya">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/playas/el-himalaya/ |title=El Himalaya |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213023529/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/playas/el-himalaya/ }}</ref> Huatabampito is an area of beaches in the south of the state. The beaches have delicate dune of fine sand and the waters are clear with a green-blue color. Each year, whales arrive to this area to reproduce in the warm waters. This is the main attraction, bringing visitors from Mexico and abroad.<ref name="huatabampito">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/playas/playas-de-huatabampito/ |title=Playas de Huatabampito |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=March 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309203107/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/playas/playas-de-huatabampito/ }}</ref>

===Sierra Madre Occidental===
{{main|Sierra Madre Occidental}}
The east of the state is dominated by the Sierra Madre Occidental, which has less extreme temperatures and, due to the high elevation, relatively more rainfall.<ref name="gobiernosonora"/> As moist air masses move inland from the Pacific and the tropics and are forced against the mountains, they cool and this leads to precipitation, mostly rain but occasional snows in the highest regions. This process takes most of the moisture out of the air and feeds the various rivers and streams, which empty into Gulf of California as well as underground aquifers under the coastal plain.<ref name="yetman15">Yetman, p. 15</ref>

===Flora and fauna===
[[File:Laguna Nainari.jpg|thumb|Laguna del Náinari, artificial lake in Ciudad Obregón]]
Habitats and vegetation vary greatly depending on elevation and rainfall.<ref name="yetman10">Yetman, p. 10</ref> An estimated {{Convert|2,230,000|ha|km2 sqmi}} of Sonora is in arid grasslands; {{Convert|1,200,000|ha|km2 sqmi}} are covered in forests, {{Convert|301,859|ha|km2 sqmi}} in rainforest and {{Convert|1,088,541|ha|km2 sqmi}} in farmland. Seventy percent of the territory, or {{Convert|13,500,000|ha|km2 sqmi}}, is covered in desert vegetation or arid grasslands.<ref name="mediofisico"/> The [[Yécora, Sonora|Yécora]] municipality in eastern Sonora has one of the highest grass diversities in Mexico.<ref name="cartron3">Cartron, p. 3</ref> There are eight types of desert vegetation, seven of which are native to the [[Sonoran Desert]] and one in the area that transitions to the [[Chihuahua Desert]]. Most are scrubs or small bushes, which generally do not reach over {{Convert|4|m|ft}} in height, most of the rest are [[cactus]], with some [[mangroves]] and other [[halophile]] plants.<ref name="mediofisico"/> Many plants are rainfall sensitive, with most trees and shrubs growing leaves and flowers just before or during the rainy season, then drop their leaves afterwards. However, there are plants in flower at one time or another throughout the year.<ref name="yetman12">Yetman, p. 12</ref> Coastal plants receive less water stress due to lower evaporation rates, and substantial moisture from dew, especially in the cooler months.<ref name="yetman11">Yetman, p. 11</ref>
[[File:Infiernillo Tiburon Island.JPG|thumb|View of Isla Tiburón across the Infiernillo Channel]]
Most forests are located in the northeast of the state, covering about 6.4% of the state. This is the area with the coolest temperatures.<ref name="mediofisico"/> Deforestation has been a significant problem, especially after 1980, because the rate of cutting trees has increased. In central Sonora, the area covered by Madrean evergreen woodland and Sonoran Desert scrub decreased 28% and 31%, respectively, between 1973 and 1992 (ValdezZamudio et al. 2000). During this same period,<ref name="cartron70">Cartron, p. 70</ref> For example, much of the forests of [[mesquite]] trees in the lower elevations of the state have disappeared because of the demand for local fuels and the market for mesquite charcoal in Mexico and the United States<ref name="cartron64">Cartron, p. 64</ref>

Most of northern Mexico suffers from one of the world's highest rates of [[desertification]] due to [[land degradation]] in arid and semi-arid areas, with the loss of biological and/or economic productivity, but the process is most severe in Sonora and neighboring [[Sinaloa]]. Land degradation occurs because of clearing land for agriculture, the planting of non-native buffelgrass for grazing, the cutting of forests, overgrazing of natural vegetation and soil salinization from irrigation. A study by Balling in 1998 showed higher soil and air temperatures in areas that have been overgrazed, deforested and otherwise cleared land, likely due to the lack of shading vegetation, which leads to higher soil evaporation and desert conditions. Studies have also indicated that warming trends are higher in Sonora than in neighboring Arizona, into which the Sonora Desert also extends.<ref name="cartron70"/>

The state contains 139 species and subspecies of native mammals, with the most important being white tailed deer, [[mule deer]], wild sheep, bats, hares, squirrels, [[mole (animal)|moles]], [[beaver]]s, [[coyote]]s, wolves, foxes, [[jaguar]]s, and [[cougar|mountain lion]]s. Amphibians and reptiles include frogs and toads, [[desert tortoise]]s, [[chameleon]]s, [[gila monster]]s, [[rattlesnake]]s and other types of snakes. The number of bird species native to the state is not known, but major species include [[roadrunner]]s, [[quail]], turkeys, [[buzzard]]s and doves.<ref name="mediofisico"/>

===Climate===
[[File:Sonoran desert sunset.jpg|thumb|Sunset over the desert in Sonora]]
During the [[Pliocene]], the detachment of Baja California, the development of the Gulf of California and the cool California current drastically reduced moisture coming into Sonora leading to severe regional aridity in both this state and neighboring Baja California. This created [[xeric]] communities and the development of species endemic only to this region.<ref name="cartron44">Cartron, p. 44</ref>

There are four major climate regions in the state: arid ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BW''), [[semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] lands (''BS''), semi-moist lands, and temperate zones (''Cwb'').<ref name="cartron19">Cartron, p. 19</ref> Ninety percent of the state has arid or semi-arid conditions. The other two climates are restricted to the areas of the state with the highest altitude such as the Yécora area, the mountains north of [[Cananea]] and a strip along the southeast of the state on the Chihuahua border.<ref name="mediofisico"/><ref name="gobiernosonora"/>

Average annual maximum temperatures range from {{convert|24.2|C|F}} in Yécora to {{convert|35|C|F}} in Tesia, municipality of [[Navojoa]]. Average annual minimum temperatures range from {{convert|5.9|C|F|1}} in Yécora to {{convert|20.2|C|F|1}} in Orégano, municipality of [[Hermosillo]].<ref name="mediofisico"/><ref name="gobiernosonora"/> In the winter, cold air masses from the north reach the state, and can produce below freezing temperatures and high winds at night in the higher elevations, but the temperature can then jump back up to over {{convert|20|C|F|disp=or}} during the afternoon. Freezing temperatures almost never occur in the lowlands.<ref name="yetman10"/><ref name="registra">{{cite news |title= Sonora registra 12 grados bajo cero |url= http://eleconomista.com.mx/estados/2011/02/05/sonora-registra-12-grados-bajo-cero |agency= Notimex |newspaper=El Economista |location=Mexico |date=February 5, 2011 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |language=es |trans-title=Sonora registes 12 degrees below zero}}</ref> In February 2011, the Mexican government recorded a low in Yécora of {{convert|&minus;12|C|F|1|disp=or}}.<ref name="registra"/>

[[File:San Carlos Sonora landscape.jpg|thumb|San Carlos during the wet season]]
Precipitation is seasonal and mostly occurs in the higher elevations. In hot and arid or semi-arid lands, evaporation vastly exceeds precipitation.<ref name="yetman9">Yetman, p. 9</ref> Mexico's most arid area, the [[Altar Desert]] is located in this state.<ref name="gobiernosonora"/> The east of the state is dominated by the Sierra Madre Occidental, which has less extreme temperatures and relatively more rainfall due to altitude.<ref name="gobiernosonora"/> Most moisture comes in from the Pacific Ocean and the tropics, which is pushed against the Sierra Madre. This cools the air masses, leading to rain and occasionally snow in the higher elevations. While most of the rain falls in the mountainous areas, much of this water finds its way back to the western coastal plains in the form of rivers and streams that empty into the Gulf of California and fill underground [[aquifer]]s.<ref name="yetman15"/> Most of the year's precipitation falls during the rainy season, which is locally called "las aguas" (the waters). These last from July to mid-September, when [[monsoon]] winds bring moist air from southerly tropical waters. Most of this is from the Pacific Ocean west of [[Central America]] but can also come from [[Gulf of Mexico]] as well. This moister flow results in nearly daily afternoon thunderstorms. After the las aguas, there may be additional moisture brought in by hurricanes, which generally move west along the Pacific coast of Mexico and occasionally come inland, especially in southern Sonora. However, these storms tend to drop large quantities of rain in a short time, causing flooding and destruction.<ref name="yetman11"/>

In the winter, from November to February, there are light rains called ''equipatas'' ("horse hoofs", named after the sound the rain makes). These rains come in from the north from the southern extensions of frontal storms that originate in the northern Pacific Ocean. These end by March or April when the fronts are no longer strong enough to reach this far south. They end even earlier in the extreme south of the state as the storm systems retreat, with the dry season lasting eight or nine months in this part of the state. In the north, these rains support a wide variety of spring annuals and wildflowers, but the water they supply in the south of the state is still important to help replenish wells.<ref name="yetman11"/>

===Hydrology===
[[File:ColoradoRiverDelta ISS009-E-09839.jpg|thumb|Satellite photo of the [[Colorado River delta]] in Sonora]]
With the exception of the [[Colorado River]], river and aquifer systems in Sonora are a result of rains from incoming clouds rising above the Sierra Madre Occidental. This water runs down the west side of the mountains along the canyons and valleys towards the plains and coast and into the [[Gulf of California]],<ref name="yetman15"/> Sonora has seven major rivers – the Colorado River, the [[Concepción River]], the [[San Ignacio River]], the [[Sonora River]], the [[Mátepe River]], the [[Yaqui River]] and the [[Mayo River (Mexico)|Mayo River]]. Dams, such as [[Álvaro Obregón Dam|Alvaro Obregon]], Adolfo Ruiz Cortines, Plutarco Elias Calles, Abelardo Rodriguez and Lázaro Cárdenas, have been built along some of these rivers, at least two of them where natural lakes existed.<ref name="mediofisico"/><ref name="cartron19"/> Some of the dams formed large deltas, such as that of the Mayo River.<ref name="yetman4">Yetman, p. 4</ref> The largest aquifers are mostly found between Hermosillo and coast, the Guaymas Valley and the area around [[Caborca]]. Most of these are having problems due to overpumping for agricultural irrigation.<ref name="mediofisico"/>

===Protected areas===
Sonora has {{Convert|18,463|km2|sqmi}} of protected wildlife areas.<ref name="cartron74">Cartron, p. 74</ref> Protected natural areas in the state are of three types: biosphere reserves, areas for the protection of flora and fauna and areas for the protection of natural resources.<ref name="reservasgob">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/reservas/ |title=Reservas Ecológicas |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Ecological Reserves |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204213725/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/reservas/ }}</ref> The [[El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve|El Pinacate biosphere reserve]] is located between Puerto Peñasco and the United States border in the Altar Desert. The reserve consists of an area with a series of gigantic dormant volcanic craters, which are covered with flora and fauna. It is frequently visited by foreign tourists, researchers and photographers. The reserve has a site museum, which displays the area history from its formation to the present. The craters are named ''Badillo'', ''Molina'' or ''El Trébol'', ''Cerro Colorado'', ''Volcan Grande'', ''Caravajales'' and the largest, ''Mc Dougal''.<ref name="pinacategob">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/reservas/el-pinacate/ |title=El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |trans-title=El Pinacate and the Altar Desert |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204213734/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/reservas/el-pinacate/ }}</ref>

The [[Cañón las Barajitas]] ("Barajitas Canyon") is a protected natural area that consists of three different ecosystems, located {{Convert|31|km|mi}} north of San Carlos. It contains a kilometer of beaches and a canyon which has two distinct microclimates, one arid and desert-like and the other subtropical. The area has a wide variety of fauna including whales, dolphins and [[manta ray]]s that can be seen off the coast depending on the season. Activities for visitors include [[kayaking]], [[Pedalo|paddleboats]], [[scuba diving]] and fishing. There are also caves as well as a solor observatory.<ref name="barajitasgob">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/playas/canon-las-barajitas/ |title=Cañón las Barajitas |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Barajitas Canyon |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211202230/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/playas/canon-las-barajitas/ }}</ref>

The [[Alto Golfo de California Biosphere Reserve|Alto Golfo y Delta]] ("Upper Gulf and Delta") biosphere reserve encompasses is in the northwest of Sonora and northeast of Baja California Norte at the northernmost part of the Gulf of California and the delta of the Colorado River. The area is home to a very large number of marine species. There are also rocky beaches along with those with fine sand. Some of these are home to groups of [[seal (mammal)|seals]] and sea lions. The reserve was created in 1993 and encompasses an area of 934,756 hectares. On land, there are arid scrub brush, [[coastal dunes]] and an [[estuary]]. It extends into the far upper part of the Gulf of California.<ref name="altogolfo">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/reservas/alto-golfo-y-delta/ |title=Alto Golfo y Delta |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Upper Gulf and Delta |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207050537/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/reservas/alto-golfo-y-delta/ }}</ref>

The [[Bahía e islas de San Jorge]] ("Bay and Islands of San Jorge"), covering {{Convert|130|km2|sqmi}}, are located on Sonora's northern coast between Caborca and Puerto Peñasco. The islands were first made a federal reserve in 1978 due to its importance to migratory birds. They are especially important to species such as the [[Sterna antillarum]], colonies of [[Sula leucogaster]], [[Myotis vivesi]] and [[Zalophus californianus]]. The islands are large rocks and are white from [[guano]]. The beaches extend for ten km and end at the bay of San Jorge on the south end. The area is home to sea lions and a type of bat that fishes. There are sand dunes with arid zone vegetation as well as a small estuary. The climate is very arid and semi hot with an average temperature of between {{Convert|18|and|22|°C|°F}}.<ref name="sanjorge">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/reservas/bahia-e-islas-de-san-jorge/ |title=Bahía e islas de San Jorge |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Bay and islands of San Jorge |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204213731/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/reservas/bahia-e-islas-de-san-jorge/ }}</ref>

The [[Isla Tiburón]] is an ecological reserve with about 300 species of plants with desert and marine wildlife. The island was once inhabited by the Seris, and they still consider it their territory.<ref name="tiburongob">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/reservas/isla-del-tiburon/ |title=Isla del Tiburón |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204213739/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/reservas/isla-del-tiburon/ }}</ref>

The [[La Mesa el Campanero-Arroyo El Reparo]] reserve is found in the municipality of Yécora. It is a mesa with mountains which cover {{Convert|43,000|ha|km2 sqmi}}, containing pine and tropical forests, rivers, [[Arroyo (watercourse)|arroyos]], rock formations and dirt roads. Due to its altitude of between 700 and 2100 meters above sea level, its temperatures are temperate for the state. It is part of the Sierra Madre Occidential bio region and in the upper basins of the Yaqui and Mayo rivers.<ref name="campanero">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/reservas/mesa-del-campanero/ |title=Mesa del Campanero |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Campanero Mesa |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204213744/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/reservas/mesa-del-campanero/ }}</ref>