Physical Regions of Mexico
Fig. 2. This map shows the six major types of vegetation present in Mexico. As you can see the majority of the country consists of semiarid grasslands and desert like vegetation. If you compare Fig.1 with Fig. 2 you can see that the climate directly correlates with the types of vegetation in the country.
Images of Landscape
In the images below you will find five different examples of how human interactions happen in the region of Mexico, and five examples of the physical geography of the region.
Human Examples (Fig.4 - Fig.9)
Figures 5 and 6 are both photographs of the famous Angel De La Independencia (Angel of Independence) officially known as Monumento a la Independencia (Monument if Independence) is located in the heart of Mexico City. El Angel is a victory column located in the center of a roundabout in Mexico city that represents the centennial celebration of the start of Mexico's war of independence in 1910.
Physical Examples (Fig. 10 - Fig. 14)
Biodiversity in Mexico
Located in a prime geographical location between North America and Middle America and South America, Mexico is one of the world’s more biologically diverse countries. It encompasses cast deserts, tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, and alpine ecosystems, not to mention it supports a wide range of reptiles, mammals, and a variety of other animals (Britannica).
The Mexican, Sonoran and Chihuahua deserts are home to sparse desert scrub vegetation, short grasses, scattered shrubs, and a variety of cacti including the Prickly Pear Cactus. The forests in Mexico although subject to deforestation, are still filled with coniferous and deciduous trees specifically around the Sierra Madre Occidental, in large parts of the Mesa Central, and the Southern Highlands. Mexico’s Southern Selvas (Forests) are home to monkeys, parrots, jaguars, anteaters, and many other tropical species. The animal life in Northern Mexico however is quite different. There you can find rabbits, snakes, armadillos, deer, pumas, and coyotes.
Mexico’s unique biodiversity has allowed cultural areas to evolve based on their physical locations. The Mexican people have embraced the land, adapted, and created a culture that is unique to only them. Mexico can traditionally be separated in to two separate locations that differ not only in geography and biodiversity, but in cultural practices as well. These two locations are known as the Spanish-mestizo north, and the Indian-mestizo south (Britannica). Furthermore, the country can be divided into 10 traditional cultural regions which include: the North, Northeast, Northwest, Baja California peninsula, Central West, Balsas, Gulf Coast, Southern Highlands, and the Yucatan Peninsula. Each separate part of Mexico has large amounts of biodiversity which has resulted in unique cultural practices. The following examples are only 3 ways in which Mexico’s biodiversity has shaped its culture, cuisine, and beliefs.
The Mexican, Sonoran and Chihuahua deserts are home to sparse desert scrub vegetation, short grasses, scattered shrubs, and a variety of cacti including the Prickly Pear Cactus. The forests in Mexico although subject to deforestation, are still filled with coniferous and deciduous trees specifically around the Sierra Madre Occidental, in large parts of the Mesa Central, and the Southern Highlands. Mexico’s Southern Selvas (Forests) are home to monkeys, parrots, jaguars, anteaters, and many other tropical species. The animal life in Northern Mexico however is quite different. There you can find rabbits, snakes, armadillos, deer, pumas, and coyotes.
Mexico’s unique biodiversity has allowed cultural areas to evolve based on their physical locations. The Mexican people have embraced the land, adapted, and created a culture that is unique to only them. Mexico can traditionally be separated in to two separate locations that differ not only in geography and biodiversity, but in cultural practices as well. These two locations are known as the Spanish-mestizo north, and the Indian-mestizo south (Britannica). Furthermore, the country can be divided into 10 traditional cultural regions which include: the North, Northeast, Northwest, Baja California peninsula, Central West, Balsas, Gulf Coast, Southern Highlands, and the Yucatan Peninsula. Each separate part of Mexico has large amounts of biodiversity which has resulted in unique cultural practices. The following examples are only 3 ways in which Mexico’s biodiversity has shaped its culture, cuisine, and beliefs.
Mexico’s biodiversity has allowed for the country to become one of the top crop producers in the world. This being said, crop production is perhaps the most important agricultural activity on the country of Mexico. Domestically and for consumption purposes, Mexican farmers grow wheat, beans, corn, chili peppers, and sorghum. As exports, they harvest sugar, coffee, and a large variety of fruits and vegetables. A very important reason why Mexico is able to grow large amounts of a variety of crops is due to large amount of land that is readily available to use for crop growth. Mexico has been geographically blessed due to the biological diversity available in the country, and the lands ability to produce such a high amount of crops.
The Mexican culture highly revolves around family traditions and traditional Mexican meals. The high level of importance of the Mexican cuisine has developed a culture in which both large and small cultural events are centered around the family dinner table. “Mexican cuisine has been influenced by the land where it has developed. Mexico is a region of huge biodiversity, a place where various elements combine to encourage original ways of preparing food,” (Fajer). The formation of the Mexican cuisine goes back to pre-Hispanic times where three particular ingredients corn, beans, and chili peppers formed the basis of what would soon become traditional Mexican food. The root of what we now call traditional Mexican cuisine began with the arrival of the Spanish, and the introduction of Asian condiments from voyages to china dating back to Aztec times. Mexican cuisine has been highly influenced by biodiversity because the roots of the cuisine were inspired by the land itself. Corn, beans, and chili peppers, are crops that are grown all over Mexico, and they are the axis of cultural identity and unify Mexico’s various regions (Fajer). The domestication of these plants are what determined the cuisine in Mexico and have since then formed the backbone of Mexico’s gastronomy.
The Mexican culture highly revolves around family traditions and traditional Mexican meals. The high level of importance of the Mexican cuisine has developed a culture in which both large and small cultural events are centered around the family dinner table. “Mexican cuisine has been influenced by the land where it has developed. Mexico is a region of huge biodiversity, a place where various elements combine to encourage original ways of preparing food,” (Fajer). The formation of the Mexican cuisine goes back to pre-Hispanic times where three particular ingredients corn, beans, and chili peppers formed the basis of what would soon become traditional Mexican food. The root of what we now call traditional Mexican cuisine began with the arrival of the Spanish, and the introduction of Asian condiments from voyages to china dating back to Aztec times. Mexican cuisine has been highly influenced by biodiversity because the roots of the cuisine were inspired by the land itself. Corn, beans, and chili peppers, are crops that are grown all over Mexico, and they are the axis of cultural identity and unify Mexico’s various regions (Fajer). The domestication of these plants are what determined the cuisine in Mexico and have since then formed the backbone of Mexico’s gastronomy.
Like every countries flag, the Mexican flag is filled with national symbolism. The colors of the flag; green, white, and red represent the independence movement, the purity of Catholic faith, and the blood of its national heroes that lost their lives in Mexico’s quest towards independence. The emblem however is very unique to the country, because it is of Aztec heritage. According to the legend, the Aztecs believed that their god Huitzilopochtli would guide them towards the location of their new city settlement. The legend states that the Aztec God advised the Aztecs to build their city when they found an eagle perched on a prickly pear tree devouring a serpent. This symbol was then seen on a marshy lake that is now located in the center of present day Mexico City. Although this legend dates back for hundreds of years, and some criticize its validity, it can be seen as a representation of the biological diversity present in the country of Mexico. The prickly pear cactus is fairly common in Mexico especially in the Sonoran deserts. Animals like the eagle often migrate to Mexico during the cold winter months, and the serpent that was found in the eagle’s mouth is also a very common animal in the Mexican desert region. The garland that is located beneath the coat of arms on the flag is a representation of green oak, a common tree found in the lands of Monterey, Mexico. Lastly, the Laurel leaf is also represented on the flag which also happens to be a common plant found in the Mexican forests. Although the belief the Aztecs had towards their gods are what helped determine the building grounds for what is now Mexico, much of the countries beliefs are represented in their flag, and that flag shows the great importance biodiversity has had in the makings of Mexico.
Mexico’s attractive beaches, forests, and bio diverse lands have attracted thousands of tourists. Tourists flood the beaches of Mazatlán Mexico, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Acapulco to see the marine life and experience its cool waters. Mexico is also home to North Americas 2nd highest volcano the Volcan Popocatepetl which contains a steep 250-450 meter deep crater. Tourism does not stop there, Chiapas is a top destination for eco-tourism in Mexico. Its top two destinations EL Chiflon and the Lagunas de Montebello National Park. El Chiflon has spectacular series of waterfalls, and rivers. The Lagunas are a lake region that contains more than 50 small mineral-laden lakes surrounded by pine and oak forests. Bio diverse features like these are what have allowed Mexico to be such a hot tourist destination in North America.
Unfortunately, threats to the biodiversity in Mexico do exist today. The Gulf of Mexico which is home to a substantial amount of marine life is also used for Mexico’s most valuable export, oil. The results of oil drilling in the area has resulted in the world’s largest hypoxic or dead zone. This means that marine areas will be subject to harmful substances that will continue to degrade the marine life in the area (Grid Arendal). Deforestation in the country has also had a negative effect on Mexico’s biodiversity. Although the government has begun to regulate the amount of deforestation in the country, less developed parts of the country still depend on deforestation which has endangered both plant and animal species.
Mexico’s attractive beaches, forests, and bio diverse lands have attracted thousands of tourists. Tourists flood the beaches of Mazatlán Mexico, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Acapulco to see the marine life and experience its cool waters. Mexico is also home to North Americas 2nd highest volcano the Volcan Popocatepetl which contains a steep 250-450 meter deep crater. Tourism does not stop there, Chiapas is a top destination for eco-tourism in Mexico. Its top two destinations EL Chiflon and the Lagunas de Montebello National Park. El Chiflon has spectacular series of waterfalls, and rivers. The Lagunas are a lake region that contains more than 50 small mineral-laden lakes surrounded by pine and oak forests. Bio diverse features like these are what have allowed Mexico to be such a hot tourist destination in North America.
Unfortunately, threats to the biodiversity in Mexico do exist today. The Gulf of Mexico which is home to a substantial amount of marine life is also used for Mexico’s most valuable export, oil. The results of oil drilling in the area has resulted in the world’s largest hypoxic or dead zone. This means that marine areas will be subject to harmful substances that will continue to degrade the marine life in the area (Grid Arendal). Deforestation in the country has also had a negative effect on Mexico’s biodiversity. Although the government has begun to regulate the amount of deforestation in the country, less developed parts of the country still depend on deforestation which has endangered both plant and animal species.
Cited Sources
Biodiversity Sources:
Encyclopedia Britannica. Plant and animal life. (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2015, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/379167/Mexico/27378/Plant-and-animal-life
Encyclopedia of the Nations. (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2015, from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Americas/Mexico-AGRICULTURE.html
Fajer, G. (n.d.). Mexican Cuisine. Retrieved April 7, 2015, from http://www.revistascisan.unam.mx/Voices/pdfs/9408.pdf
Mexican Flag History. (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2015, from http://www.aztec-history.com/mexican-flag-history.html
The Price of Freedom: Mexican Flag. (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2015, from http://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/collection/object.asp?ID=235
Image
Figure 1: Mexican Climate Regions (n.d) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://geo-mexico.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Fig4-5-color.jp
Figure 2: Vegetation in Mexic. (n.d) RetrievedFebruary 9, 2015 from, http://mapasdemexico.org/images/vegr.jp
Figure 3: Spoken Languages of Mexico. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://hugh.thejourneyler.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/linguistic_Map.jpg
Figure 4: Mexican Cuisine. (n.d) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://tastykitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/TKB-Cinco-de-Mayo-collage-featured-mosaic.jpg
Figure 5: El Angel de la Independencia. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ok7m68Cjk4Y/TFXBoHkE6yI/AAAAAAAAAE4/Rhyn2GMoSRk/s1600/Mexico%20City%20Angel%204.JPG
Figure 6: El Angel. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/c5/9c/67/c59c6736b07278e273561ed63bb40664.jpg
Figure 7: .Mexican Agriculture. (n.d) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/siege_4.jp
Figure 8 : Folklorico Dancing.(n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://stanfordelaguila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Ballet-pic.j
Figure 9: La Virgen Maria. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/photos/mexico-religions-1162.jp
Figure 10: Las Sierras de Mexico. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://file3.answcdn.com/answ-cld/image/upload/h_320,c_fill,g_face:center,q_60,f_jpg/v1401354033/dme9bzzrdqxj9hliiwf0.jp
Figure 11: Cabo San Luca, Mexico, (n.d.) RetrievedFebruary 9, 2015 from, http://www.caboexpo.com/art/cabobay.jpg
Figure 12: Mexican Rivers. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, https://www.ediciones.com.mx/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Mapa_Mexico-hidrograf%C3%ADa.jpg
Figure 13: Popocatepetl. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/691/cache/mexico-volcano-grounds-flights-twilight_69160_600x450.jpg
Figure 14: Prickly Pear Cactus. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/544a8154ecad04f35a997a2-1200/cochineal-insects-native-to-central-and-south-america-thrive-on-one-particular-species-of-cactus--the-prickly-pear.jpg
Encyclopedia Britannica. Plant and animal life. (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2015, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/379167/Mexico/27378/Plant-and-animal-life
Encyclopedia of the Nations. (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2015, from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Americas/Mexico-AGRICULTURE.html
Fajer, G. (n.d.). Mexican Cuisine. Retrieved April 7, 2015, from http://www.revistascisan.unam.mx/Voices/pdfs/9408.pdf
Mexican Flag History. (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2015, from http://www.aztec-history.com/mexican-flag-history.html
The Price of Freedom: Mexican Flag. (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2015, from http://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/collection/object.asp?ID=235
Image
Figure 1: Mexican Climate Regions (n.d) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://geo-mexico.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Fig4-5-color.jp
Figure 2: Vegetation in Mexic. (n.d) RetrievedFebruary 9, 2015 from, http://mapasdemexico.org/images/vegr.jp
Figure 3: Spoken Languages of Mexico. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://hugh.thejourneyler.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/linguistic_Map.jpg
Figure 4: Mexican Cuisine. (n.d) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://tastykitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/TKB-Cinco-de-Mayo-collage-featured-mosaic.jpg
Figure 5: El Angel de la Independencia. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ok7m68Cjk4Y/TFXBoHkE6yI/AAAAAAAAAE4/Rhyn2GMoSRk/s1600/Mexico%20City%20Angel%204.JPG
Figure 6: El Angel. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/c5/9c/67/c59c6736b07278e273561ed63bb40664.jpg
Figure 7: .Mexican Agriculture. (n.d) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/siege_4.jp
Figure 8 : Folklorico Dancing.(n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://stanfordelaguila.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Ballet-pic.j
Figure 9: La Virgen Maria. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/photos/mexico-religions-1162.jp
Figure 10: Las Sierras de Mexico. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://file3.answcdn.com/answ-cld/image/upload/h_320,c_fill,g_face:center,q_60,f_jpg/v1401354033/dme9bzzrdqxj9hliiwf0.jp
Figure 11: Cabo San Luca, Mexico, (n.d.) RetrievedFebruary 9, 2015 from, http://www.caboexpo.com/art/cabobay.jpg
Figure 12: Mexican Rivers. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, https://www.ediciones.com.mx/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Mapa_Mexico-hidrograf%C3%ADa.jpg
Figure 13: Popocatepetl. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/691/cache/mexico-volcano-grounds-flights-twilight_69160_600x450.jpg
Figure 14: Prickly Pear Cactus. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2015 from, http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/544a8154ecad04f35a997a2-1200/cochineal-insects-native-to-central-and-south-america-thrive-on-one-particular-species-of-cactus--the-prickly-pear.jpg