What are bolsones on the Mexican Plateau?

On the Mexican Plateau, particularly within the northern section known as the Mesa del Norte, bolsones (from the Spanish for "pockets" or "large purses") are semiarid, flat-floored desert valleys or depressions.123

These features are characteristic of basin-and-range terrain and are typically surrounded by hills or mountains. They are often centered on a playa or salt pan, reflecting the arid nature of the region. Because they are enclosed, they function as ephemeral drainage basins. While much of the land in these areas is arid and used as rangeland, some bolsones—such as the Mapimí Basin—have been reclaimed through irrigation to support agricultural production, including crops like cotton, wheat, and alfalfa.1234