Occupying what is known as Wet Mountain Valley between the Sangre de Cristo peaks to the west and Wet Mountains to the east, Custer County also abuts Great Sand Dunes National Park on the southwestern slopes of the Sangre de Cristo range. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains (Spanish for "Blood of Christ") are the southernmost subrange of the Rockies. The county seat of Westcliffe is a rural community of fewer than 5,000 residents that has been recognized, along with neighboring Silver Cliff, by the International Dark-Sky Association for their lack of light pollution and visibility of the night sky. Awarded in 2015, the two towns are the highest of the existing 16 certified locations around the world, with their 8,000-foot altitude getting stargazers that bit closer to the stars and Milky Way. A total of around 100,000 acres were listed for sale in Custer County, Colorado, recently; the combined value of all Custer County farms, ranches, and rural real estate for sale was approximately $188 million. Custer County ranks 15th in the Centennial State for the combined amount of land currently advertised for sale. Of all farms, ranches, and rural real estate for sale in Custer County, Westcliffe had the most land for sale. Based on its natural assets, tourism and recreation are important sectors for the Custer County economy. Custer County is the 52nd largest county (739 square miles) in Colorado. It's located in the South Central Colorado region of the state.