Located in the northern part of the Mojave Desert, Death Valley is situated in the eastern part of the state of California, not far from the border with Nevada. Death Valley is located in the Great Basin area, close by to the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and is a major part of the Death Valley National Park. It covers an area of around 3,000 square miles and is known for several key landmarks like Telescope Peak, Furnace Creek, Badwater Basin, Dante's View, and more.

Death Valley Information

Death Valley Information

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  • What makes Death Valley a popular filming location?
    • Death Valley has been a filming location for many major motion pictures and TV shows, including one of the most famous movies of all time, Star Wars.
    • The area is chosen for its unique, almost otherworldly scenery and landscapes.
  • What is the highest recorded surface temperature in Death Valley?
    • Death Valley is known for its extreme temperatures, with the highest recorded surface temperature on the planet found at Furnace Creek.
    • A temperature of 201°F (93.9°C) was recorded here in 1972.
  • Who were the original inhabitants of Death Valley?
    • The Death Valley area has been home to the Timbisha Native Americans for many centuries.
  • How did Death Valley get its name?
    • The name Death Valley dates back to the 19th century.
    • Many people traveled through Death Valley during the California Gold Rush (1848-1855).
    • One of the earliest expeditions through the area resulted in the death of more than a dozen people, earning the valley its menacing nickname.
  • What is unique about Death Valley’s elevation?
    • Death Valley is known for its huge elevation differential.
    • Its highest point is several thousand feet higher than its lowest areas.

Elevation of Death Valley

Elevation of Death Valley

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  • What makes Death Valley’s elevation unique?
    • One of the most fascinating and interesting aspects of Death Valley is its elevation, which refers to how high or low an area is in relation to sea level.
    • Since Death Valley covers a huge area of 3,000 square miles, its elevation varies greatly from one spot to the next.
    • The valley has a huge elevation differential of over 11,000 feet between its highest and lowest points.
  • What is the lowest point in North America?
    • Death Valley is home to the lowest point in all of North America, which is located at Badwater Basin.
    • Badwater Basin has an elevation of 282 feet (86 m) below sea level.
    • The basin is a large area filled with salty water. Some life can be found here, but it is completely inhospitable for humans.
    • The actual lowest point of Badwater Basin is located several miles away from the pool of water and is marked by an elevation sign.
  • What is the highest point in Death Valley?
    • The highest point in Death Valley is Telescope Peak, which is also the highest peak of the Panamint Mountain Range.
    • Telescope Peak is found in Inyo County and has an elevation of 11,043 feet (3,366 m).
  • What is the prominence of Telescope Peak?
    • Telescope Peak has a prominence of 6,186 feet (1,880 m).
    • Elevation denotes the height of a location above sea level, while prominence measures a mountain’s height from base to peak.
  • Why is Telescope Peak named as such?
    • Telescope Peak is named due to the fact that one can see for over 100 miles from its summit.

Elevation of Death Valley Compared to California

Elevation of Death Valley Compared to California

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  • What is the mean elevation of California?
    • The mean elevation of California is 2,900 feet (880 m), making it the 11th highest state in the United States.
  • What is the lowest point in California?
    • The lowest point in California is in Badwater Basin in Death Valley.
  • What is the highest point in California?
    • The highest point in California is Mount Whitney, which is also the highest mountain in the United States excluding Alaska.
    • Mount Whitney has an elevation of 14,505 feet (4,421 m).
  • What are the elevations of major cities in California?
    • Los Angeles – 285 feet (87 m)
    • San Francisco – 52 feet (16 m)
    • San Diego – 62 feet (19 m)
    • Sacramento (Capital) – 30 feet (9 m)
    • San Jose – 82 feet (25 m)
  • Why do most of California’s major cities have relatively low elevations?
    • Most of the state’s major cities were constructed in coastal locations, which is why they have relatively low elevations.
  • What is the elevation of Death Valley?
    • Death Valley is located far inland and has a much higher average elevation compared to California's coastal cities.
  • What are other key elevations in Death Valley?
    • Furnace Creek – 190 feet (58 m) below sea level, the location where the hottest temperatures on Earth have been recorded.
    • Dante’s View – 5,476 feet (1,669 m), a popular sightseeing spot.

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