2018 Map of Las Playas

About this map

The international boundary between the United States of America and Mexico bisects this arid landscape, where the southern reaches of Yuma County meet the northern expanse of Sonora. This 2018 survey documents a remote desert environment dominated by Las Playas, a significant ephemeral dry lake bed that serves as a primary drainage point for the surrounding terrain. To the north and west, the geography transitions into the Tule Desert and the distinct volcanic geology of the Pinacate Lava Flow, which edges into the Pinacate Valley. The map records the natural drainage patterns of the region, including the intermittent flow of Papago Wash as it moves across the border. This specific survey is notable for its detail of the border line itself, showing the intersection of international sovereignty with the natural features of the Sonoran Desert.