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<br />. <br /> <br />that of the other subregions with most of the crop land devoted to <br />livestock feeds but with production of diversified market crops on <br />lands with favorable air drainage. The main market crops are <br />fruit, vegetables, and dry beans. Oil, natural gas, and coal are <br />the most important minerals produced. There is also significant <br />production of vanadiLm and uranium. Gold, silver, and associated <br />minerals are produced, but their importance has declined consider- <br />ably from the boom production of the early settlement days. <br /> <br />"Recreation and associated industries contribute substantially to <br />the local and regional economy. The San Juan Mountains, known as <br />the 'American Alps,' are renowned for their scenic beauty and <br />recreational opportunities and attract vacationers from throughout <br />the country. The subregion also is noted for its national forests <br />and for its national parks and monuments, many of which preserve <br />prehistoric Indian ruins. It contains Bryce Canyon and Mesa Verde <br />National Parks and the major part of Canyonlands National Park. <br />Also it includes nine national monuments - Yucca House, Navajo, <br />Capitol Reef, Rainbow Bridge, Canyon de Che1ly, Natural Bridges, <br />Hovenweep, Aztec Ruins, and Chaco Canyon. Also notable in the <br />subregion are the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the <br />IFour Corners,' the only point in the United States where four <br />states join. Many recreational facilities are provided on the <br />public domain and by State, local, and private developments."[S] <br /> <br />The arid-semiarid climate of the San Juan-Colorado region features notable <br />variations in precipitation, affected primarily by moisture supply and <br /> <br />13 <br />