Chapter 12: The Great Plains And Praries

The topography of San Diego and it's surrounding county is rather varied. Encompassing a total area of 11,721 km² (4,526 mi²), it boasts over seventy miles of coastland, mountains reaching to 6,500 feet, and deserts. It is because of this diverse range that San Diego attracts businesses, families, and even the military.

Camp Pendleton is a Marine Corps base located in northern San Diego county. Encompassing more than 125,000 acres, it is one of the nation's busiest facilities. The coastal and mountainous terrain within the area aid in specialized training. Pendleton's sprawling base hosts a self-sustaining water supply, sewage treatment plants, telephone and electrical systems.

Home to the largest section of undeveloped coastline in Southern California, the base contains an ecosystem comprising of over 1000 types of wildlife. Protecting the habitat is a top concern among Pendleton's residents.

The land area of the base has been of prime importance to developers for decades. Located between San Diego County and Orange County, the real estate values would bring in billions of dollars. Some argue the purpose of such a large military base and feel that by selling a major portion of Camp Pendleton, the government could gain critically needed funds toward the national debt. Others wish for the base to remain, protecting the delicate ecosystem contained within it's boundaries.


http://www.marines.mil/unit/basecamppendleton/Pages/Information/AboutTheBase/Introduction.aspx

http://www.signonsandiego.com/bookoffacts/sd_county/sdcounty_index.html