GRAND JUNCTION, a city of western Colorado, U.S.A., 4,583ft. above sea-level, at the confluence of the Gunnison river with the Colorado (formerly called the Grand in this part of its course) ; the county-seat of Mesa county. It is on Federal high ways 405 and 5o; is served by the Denver and Rio Grande Western and the Grand River Valley railways; and has a municipal airport. The population was 3,503 in 19oo; 8,665 in 1920 (91% native white) ; and was 10,247 in 1930 by the Federal census. It is the metropolis of an extensive irrigated region, and the industrial and jobbing centre of an area of 50,00o sq. miles. The orchards and the city's shade trees give the effect of an oasis. From 3o to 50m. north-east and east of the city are Battlement Mesa and the Grand Mesa, two vast tablelands about 10,000f t. above sea level, constituting together the Grand Mesa National forest; 11m. W. are the fantastic red monoliths of the Colorado National Monument. Grand Junction was settled about 1881, and was in corporated in 1882.