Section 1: Physical Geography Chapter 7: Mexico Section 1: Physical Geography

Main Ideas Mexico’s physical features include plateaus, mountains, and costal lowlands. Mexico’s climate and vegetation include deserts, tropical forests, and cool highlands

Main Ideas Key natural resources in Mexico include oil, silver, gold, and scenic landscapes.

The Big Idea Mexico is a large country with different natural environment in its northern, central, and southern regions

Physical Features Bodies of Water Mexico is mostly surrounded by water West = Pacific Ocean East = Gulf of Mexico

Physical Features Bodies of Water Baja Peninsula (Baja California): Peninsula that runs south into the Pacific Ocean. Yucatan Peninsula: Separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea.

Physical Features Plateaus & Mountains Most of interior landscape = Mexican Plateau High rugged landscape ½ mile – 2 mile elevation

Physical Features Plateaus & Mountains Mexican Plateau positioned b/t 2 mountain ranges Sierra Madre Oriental (East) Sierra Madre Occidental (West)

Physical Features Plateaus & Mountains Sierra Madre = “Mother Range” S.M. Occidental & Oriental, along with a smaller shorter one in S. Mex. make up the Sierra Madre

Physical Features Plateaus & Mountains B/t the 2 ranges, in the south, lies the Valley of Mexico. Capital city = Mexico City. Mucho seismic activity

Physical Features Costal Lowlands Lands along both coasts characterized by beautiful, sunny beaches. West: wide in north, narrower in south. East: Gulf costal plain is wide & flat.

Physical Features Costal Lowlands Soils & climate to the east good for farming. Yucatan Peninsula (SE) mostly flat. Limestone underlies area, creating caves & sinkholes (many filled w/ water)

Physical Features Costal Lowlands Soils & climate to the east good for farming. Yucatan Peninsula (SE) mostly flat. Limestone underlies area, creating caves & sinkholes (many filled w/ water)

Climate and Vegetation Mexico has a variety of climates. Changes in elevation often causes climates to vary widely w/in short distances.

Climate and Vegetation High elevation of Mexican Plateau causes cool, sometimes freezing, temperatures. As far south as Mex.City Mountain valleys generally have mild climates.

Climate and Vegetation Valleys along M.’s southern costal areas: Warm temps. & summer rainy season. Forests cover a/b 25% of M.’s land area

Climate and Vegetation Northern part of Yucatan Peninsula hot & dry. Main vegetation is scrub forest.

Climate and Vegetation Northern Mexico is dry. Deserts in Baja California & N. part of Mex. Plateau. Little rainfall. Cougars, coyotes, & deer

Natural Resources One of most important: petroleum (oil) Southern & Gulf coastal plains Offshore in Gulf of Mexico. Much of the oil sold to US

Natural Resources B4 oil discovered, minerals were most valuable resource. Gold & silver Mex. Produces more silver than any other country in the world. Copper, gold, lead, & zinc

Natural Resources Water is another resource, though limited in many parts of Mexico.