Although this region is a desert with high temperatures and low rainfall (three inches per year), the economy is heavily based on agriculture due to irrigation, primarily from the All-American Canal. Imported water and a long growing season allow two crop cycles each year, and the Imperial Valley is a major source of winter fruits and vegetables, cotton and grain.

A secondary industry of the Imperial Valley region is tourism. Many visitors come to the area to visit the Salton Sea (California's largest inland lake) and the Glamis Sand Dunes.

Imperial Valley is crossed by Interstate 8, the new Interstate 7 and State Highways 86, 111, 78, 98.