The landscape of Mexico ranges from mountains and plateaus to coastal plains and deserts. The main geographical features are the Chiapas Highlands, Sierra Madres, Sonoran Desert, Central Plateau and Gulf Coastal Plain.Continue Reading
The Sonoran Desert lies on the northwest side of Mexico on both sides of the Gulf of California. Mountains run along the length of the Baja Peninsula on the west of the Gulf of California, with an elevation between 7,000 and 10,000 feet above sea level.
Along the east coast of the country runs the Gulf Coastal Plain. It extends to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and includes much of the Yucatan Peninsula. The landscape is mostly lowlands with some swamps due to the low elevation and high rainfall.
The Central Plateau runs south through the center of Mexico in a roughly triangular shape, at an elevation between 3,000 and 8,000 feet above sea level. The plateau is ringed by the Sierra Madres. On the west of the plateau, starting at the Sonora Desert and running down the western spine of Mexico and the Central Plateau, are the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. The east of the country and plateau contain the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains. The Sierra Madre del Sur mountains border the south of the plateau.
The Chiapas Highlands make up the rest of Mexico's landscape to the east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This plateau connects with Guatemala to the southeast and the plateau of Yucatan to the northeast.Learn more about Mexico