Mesilla Basin
Mesilla Basin is a broad desert valley in southern New Mexico, defined by the Rio Grande to the west and sprawling across urban and agricultural landscapes.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Southwestern United States |
| Subregion | Southwest USA |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Doña Ana County |
| Timezone | AmericaDenver |
| Latitude | 32.4 |
| Longitude | -106.8 |
| Maps |
7:13 PM LOCAL TIMEMesilla Basin is a sprawling desert and river valley that forms a key north-south corridor in southern New Mexico, just across the border from El Paso. Dominated by the Rio Grande and irrigated farmland, the basin is also home to historic Mesilla, modern Las Cruces, and a mix of pueblos, ranches, and border culture. Travelers come here for visual contrasts — adobe villages against desert plains, mountain silhouettes on the horizon, and a rich tapestry of Southwestern food, music, and history. Activities are shaped by the landscape: birdwatching along the river, heritage shopping in Mesilla, scenic drives across the ripple of plains and low ridges, and cultural exploration of borderlands and Hispanic heritage.
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