Imperial Valley

Imperial Valley Spanish: Valle Imperial
The Imperial Valley below the Salton Sea. The US–Mexican border runs diagonally across the lower left of the image.
Map of Imperial Valley
Length	50 miles (80 km) Northwest-Southeast
Geography
Location	California, United States
Population centers	Brawley, Calexico, El Centro, Imperial
Coordinates	32°44′51″N 114°57′48″W / 32.74750°N 114.96333°W / 32.74750; -114.96333
Traversed by	Interstate 8, State Route 78, State Route 86, State Route 111

The Imperial Valley (Spanish: Valle de Imperial or Valle Imperial) of Southern California lies in Imperial and Riverside counties, with an urban area centered on the city of El Centro. The Valley is bordered by the Colorado River to the east and, in part, the Salton Sea to the west. Farther west lies the San Diego and Imperial County border. To the north is the Coachella Valley region of Riverside County, which together with Imperial Valley form the Salton Trough, or the Cahuilla Basin, also the county line of Imperial and Riverside counties, and to the south the international boundary with Mexico.

The culture of the area blends those of the United States and Mexico, due to its regional history and geographic location along the international border. The Imperial Valley economy is based on agriculture.

Imperial Valley was named by the Imperial Land Company, in the hopes of attracting settlers. It is now the home of the El Centro metropolitan area. Locally, the terms "Imperial Valley" and "Imperial County" are used synonymously. Imperial Valley is also called Lithium Valley, because of its rich supply of lithium, used to power electric vehicles, cameras, etc.^[1][2]