Isla Ángel de la Guarda

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Isla Ángel de la Guarda, also called Archangel Island, and called Xazl Iimt /ˌχaʃɬ ˈiːmt/ 'homes of the pumas' in the Seri language, (29°26′N 113°29′W) is a large island in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) east of Bahía de los Ángeles, and separated from the Baja Peninsula by the Canal de Ballenas (Canal of Whales). It is the largest of the eleven Midriff Islands, which are volcanic mountain tops that emerge from the sea. It is part of the state of Baja California, located northwest of Tiburón Island. The island is uninhabited, and is a biological reserve called Isla Angel de la Guarda National Park.

The island is extremely dry, with no sources of freshwater other than washes following rainfall. It has an area of 632 square miles and a chain of mountains runs along its 43-mile length, reaching a maximum of 1,300 meters (4,300 feet) above sea level. It runs northwest to southeast. The west coast is roughly straight in that direction, but the east coast runs inward near the middle before heading outward until it reaches the island's widest point. The coast then runs south for a while before finally returning to its southeasterly direction. Much of the island is inaccessible due to mountains at or near the shore, especially on the west coast. There are a few flat areas on the coast at the outlets of washes that were created by sediment. These alluvial fans are mostly on the east coast, but a large one is found on the west coast where the island narrows in the middle.

Despite its extreme dryness, the island is relatively diverse in plant and animal life. There are many types of birds and reptiles, especially lizards. The Angel Island Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus angelensis) occurs only on the island. The only mammals are bats and rodents. Plants include cacti, grasses, shrubs, succulents and boojums.

[edit] References

Moser, Mary B., Stephen A. Marlett (2005). Comcáac quih yaza quih hant ihíip hac: Diccionario seri-español-inglés (in Spanish and English). Hermosillo, Sonora: Universidad de Sonora and Plaza y Valdés Editores.