As in the far north, the coastal areas of the near north have a distinct microclimate. In those sections where the airborne moisture of the sea is trapped by high bluffs overlooking the ocean, temperate rain forests develop as the vegetation precipitates the vapor in the form of a misty rain. Because the river valleys provide breaks in the coastal elevations, maritime moisture can penetrate inland and further decrease the generally arid climate in those valleys. The higher elevations in the interior sections are covered with shrubs and cacti of various kinds.
As in thE far nORth, THE cOasTaL AreAs Of the nEar norTh havE A DistiNCt MicrocLimate. in those sEctions Where the airbornE moisturE oF ThE sEA iS tRAPped by high BlUFfs OVerlookINg THe OcEan, temPERaTe raIN foresTs deVelop as thE VeGetatIon pReCiPItatES tHe vApoR in thE foRm of a misty Rain. becaUsE THE riveR VAlLEyS prOVIDE BreAks IN THe cOaStAl elevatIons, MAritIme moisturE caN penetratE inlanD AnD fUrtheR dEcREase THe generaLly ArID clImate iN thoSe ValLEys. The hIgHeR ELevAtions in The interiOr SEcTiONS are CoveRed with shrubs and cAcTi of varIoUs kinDs.