Geography of Mexico

Overview ► Mountains are most dominant feature  Sierra Madre Occidental (West)  Sierra Madre Oriental (East) ► In between mountains is the central plateau ► Extents of Mexico are peninsulas  Baja California  Yucatan Peninsula

The Heartland Region ► Central Plateau is most populated region ► Contains rich soil and abundant rainfall ► Natural Hazards  Mexico is located on 4 tectonic plates ► Volcanoes appear in Southern Mountains ► Earthquakes are common

Heartland Region contd. ► Climate Factors  Northern Mexico receives little rain due to rain shadow  Southern Mexico receives winds from the ocean and abundant rainfall  High elevation makes temperatures mild  Mexico City has attracted many people ► Possibility of jobs ► Jobs pay little and poverty is high

The Costal Regions ► Northern Pacific Coast  Dry, Hot, Thinly Populated  Tijuana is country’s fasted growing city  Irrigation has helped control climate  Baja California is mostly mountains ► Southern Pacific Coast  Sierra Madre del Sur located in this region  Little farmland  Tourism has become main part of economy ► Acapulco, Maitland, Puerto Vallarta

Costal Regions contd. ► Gulf Costal Plain  Vast deposits of oil and natural gas are located offshore ► The Yucatan Peninsula  Very flat  Limestone deposits have created many caves  Sinkholes are very common here  Tourism has become basis of economy ► Beaches and Mayan ruins draw many people