Geography

About three times the size of Texas, its area extends about: 1,972,500 sq. km. (761,600 sq. mi.). In full, the United Mexican States (Estados Unidos Mexicanos) is bordered to the north by the United States, Belize and Guatemala to the southeast and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.

Land and Resources: Most of Mexico is an immense, elevated plateau flanked by mountain ranges that fall sharply to narrow coastal plains in the west and east. The prominent topographical feature of the country is the central plateau, a continuation of the plains of southwestern United States. Comprising more than half the total area of Mexico, the downward sloping plateau varies in elevation from about 1830m to 2440m (about 6000ft to 8000ft) above sea level to the south and about 1070 to 1220 m (about 3500 to 4000 ft) from the north.

Climate: Mexico is bisected by the Tropic of Cancer; therefore, the south half is included in the Torrid Zone. In general, climate varies with altitude. The tierra caliente (hot land) includes the low coastal plains, extending from sea level to about 914 m (about 3000 ft). Weather is extremely humid, with temperatures varying from 15.6° to 48.9° C (60° to 120° F). The tierra templada (temperate land) extends from about 914 to 1830 m (about 3000 to 6000 ft) with average temperatures of 16.7° to 21.1° C (62° to 70° F). The tierra fría (cold land) extends from about 1830 to 2745 m (about 6000 to 9000 ft). The average temperature range is 15° to 17.2° C (59° to 63° F).

Natural Resources: The mineral resources of Mexico are extremely rich and varied. Almost every known mineral is found, including coal, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, silver, gold, copper, lead, and zinc. Proven petroleum and natural-gas reserves are enormous, with some of the world's largest deposits located offshore, in the Bay of Campeche.

Land Use: Arable land: 12.66%, Permanent crops: 1.28%, other: 86.06% (2005 est.).