Mexico

Mexico | Physical Features

Locate Mexico on the map and see that, except for its border with the United States, Mexico is mostly surrounded by water. Mexico’s border in the west is the Pacific Ocean. Stretching south into the Pacific Ocean from northern Mexico is a narrow peninsula, or piece of land surrounded on three sides by water, called Baja California. To the east, Mexico’s border is the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico is separated from the Caribbean Sea by a part of Mexico called the Yucatán Peninsula.

Multiple Choice

Body of water that forms Mexico's east coast

• Gulf of California
• Gulf of Aden
• Gulf of Mexico

Multiple Choice

Two of Mexico's main ________ are Baja, California and the Yucatan.

• peninsulas
• plateaus
• mountains
• rivers

Multiple Choice

Which Mexican peninsula is in the western part of Mexico?

• Yucatan Peninsula

• Tehuantepec Peninsula

• Mexican Peninsula

• Baja California

Multiple Choice

________ is the capital of Mexico and one of the largest cities in the world.

• Mexico City
• Baja California
• Tijuana
• Guadalajara

Plateaus & Mountains​

​Much of the interior landscape of Mexico consists of a high, mostly rugged region called the Mexican Plateau. The plateau’s lowest point is more than a half mile above sea level. Its highest point is close to two miles above sea level. The entire plateau spreads between two mountain ranges that rise still higher. One range, the Sierra Madre Oriental, lies in the east. The other, the Sierra Madre Occidental, lies in the west. Together, these two mountain ranges and another shorter one in southern Mexico make up the Sierra Madre, or “mother range.”

Multiple Choice

Which type of landform covers much of the middle of Mexico?

• plateau
• mountains
• valley
• grasslands

Multiple Choice

Mexico's 3 large mountain ranges are called the ________.

• Sierra Madre
• Rocky Mountains
• Mexican Plateau
• Valley of Mexico

​Climate & Vegetation

​From snowcapped mountain peaks to warm, sunny beaches, Mexico has many different climates. You can see Mexico’s climate regions on the map. This great variety of climates results in several different types of vegetation.

Multiple Choice

Northern Mexico has a ________ climate.

• tropical
• subtropical
• dry

​The valleys along Mexico’s southern coastal areas also have pleasant climates. Warm temperatures and a summer rainy season support the forests that cover about 25 percent of Mexico’s land area. Tropical rain forests provide a home for jaguars, monkeys, anteaters, and other animals.

​Natural Resources

​Mexico is rich in natural resources. One of its most important resources is petroleum, or oil. Oil reserves are found mainly under the southern and Gulf coastal plains as well as offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Mexico sells much of its oil to the United States.

Multiple Choice

Mexico is also a leading ________ producer, which is used to produce much of Mexico's power supply.

• coal
• petroleum
• hydrogen-cell

​Before oil was discovered in Mexico, minerals were the country’s most valuable resource. Some gold and silver mines that were begun many centuries ago are still in operation. In addition, new mines have been developed in Mexico’s mountains. Today Mexico’s mines produce more silver than any other country in the world. Mexican mines also yield large amounts of copper, gold, lead, and zinc.

Multiple Choice

Which resource is often sold to the United States?

• silver

• oil

• gold

• water

​Another important resource is water. The refreshing water surrounding Mexico draws many tourists to the country’s scenic beaches. Unfortunately, drinking water is limited in many parts of Mexico. Water scarcity is a serious issue.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following resources is produced more in Mexico than anywhere else in the world?

• oil

• water

• silver

• gold

Multiple Choice

Which resource is in the most need in Mexico?

• silver

• oil

• gold

• water