Sierra Madre Occidental Sierra Madre Occidental The Sierra Madre Occidental is a major mountain range system of the North American Cordillera, that runs northwest–southeast through Northwestern and Western Mexico, and along the Gulf of California. The Sierra Madre is part of the American Cordillera, a chain of mountain ranges (cordillera) that consists of an almost continuous sequence of mountain ranges that form the western "backbone" of North America, Central America, South America and Antarctica. The Spanish name "sierra madre" means "mother mountains" and "occidental" means "western" in English, with these being the "Western Mother Mountains". To the east, from the Spanish "oriental" meaning
Dandenong Ranges to the ranges; "Corhanwarrabul" and "Dandenong", both derived from the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. It is suspected that the name "Dandenong" was applied to the ranges due to being the origin of the Dandenong Creek; however, the original name for Dandenong Creek was "Narra Narrawong". The origin of the name "Dandenong" is unknown, as is its meaning or correct spelling with other variations include; "Tanjenong", "Tangynon" and "Bangeong". In any case, both names relate watercourses rather than mountains or ranges, as indicated by the "ong" ending. Given that the name "Dandenong" may not apply to anything in the