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2011 Map of Continental Divide

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Continental Divide
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

The Continental Divide crests this high-desert landscape in McKinley County, marking a critical geographic threshold where water drainage splits toward different oceans. The modern transportation corridor defined by I-40 and the Frontage Rd follows the ancient path of least resistance across the plateau, connecting small settlements like Coolidge and Gonzales. Historical depth is evident at the Coolidge Archaeological District, which preserves traces of much earlier inhabitants long before the arrival of the railroad and interstate.

Industrial and logistical features characterize the early 21st-century map, from the extractive history of the Last Chance Z Uranium Deposit to the specialized Transwestern Pipeline Number 5 Airport. Remote outposts such as North Guam and the uniquely named Top of World landmark dot the northern reaches, while the ephemeral South Fork Puerco River and Gonzales Lake provide the few named water features in this arid environment. The Continental Divide Post Office and Gonzales Siding serve as anchors for local commerce and transport in this transit-heavy region.