MexicoMexico

Physical GeographyPhysical Geography

Physical Features: Bodies of Physical Features: Bodies of WaterWater

• Mexico and the US are neighbors with the Rio Bravo River (Rio Grande) making up part of the border. At other parts of our borders it difficult to tell where one country begins and the other ends = border patrol issues.

Bodies of WaterBodies of Water

• Mexico, outside of our border, is almost completely surrounded by water. The Pacific Ocean is on the west and Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico on the east.

PeninsulasPeninsulas

• Mexico also has two peninsulas that jut into the ocean. The Baja Peninsula cuts into the Pacific on the west and the Yucatan into the Atlantic separating the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea.

Plateaus and MountainsPlateaus and Mountains

• Most of the interior is covered by the Mexican Plateau, a rugged area that ranges from ½ mile to 2 miles above sea level. It sits between the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental mountain ranges.

MountainsMountains

• These two ranges along with another shorter one to the south create the Sierra Madre mother range. Between the two ranges lies the Mexican Valley. Mexico City, the capital lies in the Mexican Valley.

Volcano and Earthquake ZoneVolcano and Earthquake Zone

• The southern mountain zone includes volcanoes and earthquake zones. Popocatepetl, a volcano near Mexico City. Has been active as recently as 2010.

Coastal LowlandsCoastal Lowlands

• Beaches run along both coasts of Mexico. The land slopes to the sea and on the east is wide and is a good farming region as it has flat land with good soil and favorable climate.

YucatanYucatan

• In the Yucatan, limestone underneath the lowlands have created caves and sinkholes and deep sided depressions created from caves with collapsed roofs. Many sinkholes are filled with water.

Climates and VegetationClimates and Vegetation

• Snow capped mountains and hot sunny beaches are just two examples of Mexico’s many climates. The varied climates promote a wide variety of types of vegetation.

Climate and VegetationClimate and Vegetation