1. Mexico
Physical Geography

3. Physical Features: Bodies of Water
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.

4. Bodies 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.

5. Peninsulas
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.

6. Plateaus 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.

7. Mountains
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.

8. Volcano 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.

9. Coastal 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.

10. Yucatan
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.

11. Climates 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.

12. Climate and Vegetation