Imagine a place where towering peaks are considered sacred by many people. Welcome to Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in southern Nevada! This special place, whose name means “Spirit Mountain” in the Mojave language, is one of the newest national monuments in the United States. A national monument is an area of land protected by the government. Nevada’s new monument is filled with amazing sights and history.
Avi Kwa Ame isn’t just any mountain. It’s a sacred site to the Mojave, Chemehuevi, and Southern Paiute peoples. They believe the mountain is where life on Earth was created. The area around the mountain is also filled with petroglyphs. These are ancient drawings carved into rocks. They were created by people who lived here thousands of years ago. These carvings depict stories, animals, and beliefs.
Avi Kwa Ame National Monument is part of the Mojave Desert. It is one of the hottest and driest places in the world. There are animals and plants here that you won’t find anywhere else. Joshua trees are tall, twisty plants that look like they belong in a Dr. Seuss book. They can live for hundreds of years! Desert tortoises dig underground burrows to escape the heat. They’re amazing survivors in this harsh environment.
One of the coolest things about this place is how quiet it is. At night, the skies are incredibly dark, making it the perfect spot for stargazing. You can see thousands of stars and even the Milky Way!
In 2023, Avi Kwa Ame became a national monument to protect its natural beauty and cultural importance. The national monument status also protects the plants and animals that live there. By visiting responsibly and learning about its history, people can help keep this land special for generations to come.
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