The Chihuahuan Desert is the largest desert in North America, covering parts of Mexico and the southwestern United States.
It covers approximately 362,000 square kilometres, making it larger than the Sonoran, Mojave, and Great Basin deserts. Most of the Chihuahuan Desert lies in Mexico, with extensions into New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona in the United States.
The desert occupies a high plateau, so its climate is generally cooler in winter than that of lower-elevation deserts. Summer monsoon storms provide a significant share of its rainfall, especially in the eastern and southern portions. Basin-and-range topography produces alternating mountain ranges and broad desert valleys.
The Chihuahuan Desert is especially important for biodiversity. It supports numerous cacti, reptiles, birds, and mammals, while its grasslands and springs provide habitat for species such as the Mexican prairie dog and the endangered Chihuahua chub. Conservation efforts cross the Mexico–United States border.