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Mexico. Physical Geography. 8 distinct regions Baja, Pacific Coastal Lowlands, Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexican Plateau, Sierra Madre Oriental, Gulf Coastal Lowlands, Sierra Madre Del Sur, and the Yucatan Peninsula Mesoamerican Biological Corridor project
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Physical Geography • 8distinct regions • Baja, Pacific Coastal Lowlands, Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexican Plateau, Sierra Madre Oriental, Gulf Coastal Lowlands, Sierra Madre Del Sur, and the Yucatan Peninsula • Mesoamerican Biological Corridor project • Mexican rain forest once northern part of Amazon • Gov’t measures to preserve fragile natural resource • Human activity has huge impact on ecosystem • Sinkholes
Baja California • 760 miles long • Shared by 2 Mexican States • Baja California in north • Capital = Mexicali • Baja California Sur • Capital = Los Cabos • 1973, Transpeninsular Hwy completed
Struggling Economy • Several causes • Political unrest • Natural disasters • Earthquakes, hurricanes and volcanic eruptions • Growing tourism (why is this a problem?) • NAFTA • Increased trade but a what cost to farming • Migration elsewhere • Poverty • “People who are hungry have no stake in Stability.” • Morning Edition, April 18, 2008, National Public Radio
Terms • Sinkhole • Altitude • Hydroelectric power • Irrigate