Geological Geochemical and Geophysical Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey in Big Bend National Park Texas: Usgs Circular 1327

Big Bend National Park (BBNP) Tex. covers 801163 acres (3242 km2) and was established in 1944 through a transfer of land from the State of Texas to the United States. The park is located along a 118-mile (190-km) stretch of the Rio Grande at the United States-Mexico border. The park is in the Chihuahuan Desert an ecosystem with high mountain ranges and basin environments containing a wide variety of native plants and animals including more than 1200 species of plants more than 450 species of birds 56 species of reptiles and 75 species of mammals. In addition the geology of BBNP which varies widely from high mountains to broad open lowland basins also enhances the beauty of the park.