Chapter 5 Lesson 1 A Rugged Land Page 172

Isthmus Narrow strip of land that connects two larger land areas.

Peninsula Piece of land that is mostly surrounded by water.

Plateau Raised plain that covers a large area.

Mexico’s Landforms The Plateau of Mexico is Mexico’s largest physical feature. Most of the Mexican people live here. The two mountain ranges are the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental.

Sierra Rugged chain of mountains.

Tierra Caliente “hot land” Sea level – 3,000 feet Hot summers, mild winters, no frost

frost Ice crystals that form on a surface when dew or water freezes

Tierra templada “temperate land” 3,000 – 6,000 feet 50 degrees – 80 degrees Most of the Mexican farms are here, and most of the people live here.

Tierra fria “cold land” 6,000 + High mountain peaks are cold