Tonto National Monument

Infobox_protected_area | name = Tonto National Monument
iucn_category = III

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caption =
locator_x = 58
locator_y = 112
location = Gila County, Arizona, USA
nearest_city = Phoenix, Arizona
lat_degrees = 33
lat_minutes = 39
lat_seconds = 25
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 111
long_minutes = 5
long_seconds = 40
long_direction = W
area = 1,120 acres (4.53 km²)
established = October 21, 1907
visitation_num = 75,140
visitation_year = 2005
governing_body = National Park Service Tonto National Monument is a National Monument in central Arizona, United States. The area lies on the northeastern edge of the Sonoran Desert, which is generally arid land with annual rainfall of about 16 inches (400 mm) here [ [http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?azroos ROOSEVELT 1 WNW, ARIZONA - Climate Summary ] ] . The Salt River runs through this area, providing a rare, year-round source of water.

Well-preserved cliff dwellings were occupied by the Salado culture during the 13th, 14th, and early 15th centuries. The people farmed in the Salt River Valley and supplemented their diet by hunting and gathering native wildlife and plants. The Salado were fine craftsmen, producing some of the most flamboyant polychrome pottery and intricately woven textiles to be found in the Southwest. Some of the artifacts excavated nearby are on display in the visitor center museum. The Tonto National Monument Archeological District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.

The National Monument is surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, which includes low plains, desert scrubland, and alpine pine forests. The Upper Sonoran ecosystem is known for its characteristic saguaro cacti. Other common plants include: cholla, prickly pear, hedgehog, and barrel cactus (flowering from April to June); yucca, sotol, and agave; creosote bush and ocotillo; palo verde and mesquite trees; an amazing variety of colorful wild flowers in good years (February to March); and a lush riparian area which supports large Arizona Walnut, Arizona Sycamore, and hackberry trees.

The area around Tonto National Monument also includes several designated National Wilderness Areas, including Four Peaks, Superstition, and Salome Wilderness Areas.

External links

*Official NPS website: [http://www.nps.gov/tont/ Tonto National Monument]
* [http://www.sunsetroute.com/cliff_dwellings.html Ancient Cliff Dwellings Info]
* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/125tonto/ "”Tonto National Monument: Saving a National Treasure”", a National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) lesson plan]
* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/amsw/ American Southwest, a National Park Service "Discover Our Shared Heritage" Travel Itinerary]

References

*cite web | url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17021 | title=Tonto National Monument, Arizona | publisher=NASA Earth Observatory | accessdate=2006-05-05