The Sonoran Desert covers large parts of the Southwestern United States in Arizona and California and of Northwestern Mexico. It is widely considered the wettest and most biologically diverse desert in the world because it experiences two distinct rainy seasons: one in the winter and the summer 'monsoon.' This moisture supports an incredible variety of life, most notably the iconic Saguaro cactus, which can grow over 15 meters tall and live for 200 years. The Sonoran is also the only place in the world where the Saguaro grows in the wild. The landscape features rugged mountains and wide valleys, providing habitat for animals like the javelina, the Gila monster, and the jaguar. Cultural history in the Sonoran is deep, ranging from the ancient Hohokam people who built complex irrigation canals to the modern-day O'odham nations.