Peñasco

Peñasco is a Spanish toponym derived from peñasco, meaning a large rock or rocky outcrop. It is used in the names of geographic places in Spanish-speaking regions and may refer to features such as cliffs, crags, or rock formations. The name can appear alone or as part of longer names (for example, Puerto Peñasco). It is common for settlements to be named Peñasco due to nearby rocky terrain or coastal features.

Notable place: Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico—a coastal city on the Gulf of California, often known as Rocky Point. It developed from a fishing village into a tourist town with beaches, a marina, and cross-border visitation with the United States. The economy relies on tourism, fishing, and services for residents and visitors. It is a primary example of the use of the term in modern placenames.

Other uses: The toponym Peñasco appears in various localities across the Spanish-speaking world, including Spain and several Latin American countries. In many cases, these are small towns, municipalities, or geographic features whose names reflect the presence of rock formations or rugged terrain.

Geography and context: Beyond its use as a place name, peñasco also denotes a geological feature—an elevated, prominent rock outcrop or crag—found in diverse landscapes from coastal cliffs to desert ranges. The term thus links language, geography, and local identity in multiple regions.