MEXICO

1. MEXICO Chapter 10-1

2. I. Geography of Mexico • A. Mountains dominate Mexico’s setting • 1. Sierra Madre Occidental – largest mountain range (west coast) • 2. Sierra Madre Oriental – second largest mountain range (east coast) • B. Between the Sierra Madres (mother ranges) is the central plateau – high, flat land

3. C. Peninsula – strip of land that juts out into the ocean • 1. Baja Peninsula – west coast • 2. Yucatan Peninsula – east coast • D. Southern part of the plateau has the best farmland because it is nourished by rich soil and lots of rain • E. Mexico is located at the intersection of 4 tectonic plates (North American, Caribbean, Pacific, and Cocos) • 1. these plates create jagged mountain ranges and some of the mountains are still active volcanoes • 2. strong earthquakes also rock this region

4. II. The Coastal Regions • A. Northern Pacific Coast • 1. dry and hot • 2. thinly populated • 3. Tijuana is Mexico’s fastest growing city and is right across the border from California • 4. The Baja peninsula is mostly mountainous desert

5. B. Southern Pacific Coast • 1. little farmland • 2. spectacular natural settings • 3. tropical climate • 4. tourism is big here, especially to cities like Acapulco, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta

6. C. Gulf Coastal Plain • 1. vitally important to Mexico’s economy • 2. in the Gulf of Mexico, there are vast deposits of petroleum and natural gas • 3. the Gulf of Mexico is one of the world’s major oil-producing regions

7. D. The Yucatan Peninsula • 1. generally flat • 2. the ground is mostly made of limestone, so when it rains the water works into the rock…eventually underground caverns are created • 3. tourism along the coastline has contributed to the economic development of the area • 4. ancient Mayan ruins attract tourists and archaeologists year round