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Death Valley, located in California, is one of the hottest places on earth, with the second highest temperature ever recorded: 134 degrees F (57C). Temperatures greater than 120 F (49C) are common during the summer (with ground temperatures 50% higher); mild winter temperatures are in the 60s-70s (15s-21s C). In the winter, the higher elevations are covered with snow.

The lowest point in the Western Hemisphere is in Death Valley National Park, at 282 feet (86m) below sea level; the highest point in the Park is Telescope Peak at 11,049 feet (3365m).

It is also the driest place in North America, with an average yearly rainfall of only 1.96 inches (5cm).

This large National Park contains 5213 square miles (13,500 square km) and a thousand species of plants. Many species of reptiles, birds, and mammals populate the Park, along with one species of fish.

There are a few photos from Rhyolite, a ghost town just outside the National Park. The "Queen City of Death Valley" originated in 1904 and grew to a population of 10,000. The old gold mining town had a stock exchange, board of trade, red light district, hotels, a school for 250 children, an ice plant, two electric plants, miners' union hospital, and a house built out of 50,000 beer and liquor bottles. By 1910 the population dropped to 611, and by 1916 light and power to the city was discontinued.

There is uncommon geological beauty in Death Valley.

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