The Empty Interior

Map of the Empty Interior

As one can see from looking at this map, just outside of  Simi Valley and the rest of Southern California lies the Empty Interior. The Empty Interior is a large land of 1000 miles from east to west in the southern sections and 375 miles in the norther sections. This land is characterized with desert valleys and high rugged mountains. This land is North America's largest area of sparse human population. If you could take away all of the human imprint in Southern California, it would like a lot like the majority of the Empty Interior. As Southern California has better weather, enough precipitation for agriculture, and is close to the ocean providing for access to trade, the area was and is in high demand for habitation.

Simi Valley is so close to the Empty Interior however that residents have easy access to many of the wonderful things the Empty Interior has to offer. Such as the amazing wildlife, the National Parks, and the beautiful Indian reservations. I understand why Southern California is more appealing to live in compared to the majority of the Empty Interior, but I am thankful to be able to witness the wonders of the land.

Credit:
 Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada by Birdsall, 2009