Tourism resources of Mexico. natural resources of mexico

Last update:
December 02, 2016, 14:50

Capital: Mexico City (22 million as of 2015)

Area: 1958.2 thousand km 2

Mexico is one of the twenty largest countries in the world both in terms of area and population, ranking 14th and 11th respectively in the world. It is home to 20% of the population of Latin America. In the region, in terms of territory, it is second only to Brazil and Argentina, and in terms of population - only to Brazil.

Large reserves of oil, gas, fluorspar, is coal, sulfur, antimony, silver, iron ore, non-ferrous metal ores (copper, zinc, mercury).

Population. 103.4 (140.2) million Mestizos (60%), Indians (30%), descendants of Europeans. Density 53 people / km 2. Average annual increase 15 people. per 1000 inhabitants. The balance of migration -2.65 people. per 1000 inhabitants. Unemployment is 3% (among urban residents), as well as significant underemployment. The age composition is 33-60-7, the average age is 23.8 years, life expectancy is 73 years.

Religion: Christianity (Catholics - 89%, Protestants).

Official language: Spanish.

Mexico is located in the southern part of the North American continent. The length of its borders and coastline is about 13 thousand km. The land border with the United States has a length of 2.6 thousand km. A significant part of this border runs along the country's largest river, the Rio Bravo del Norte. In the south, the land border of Mexico, 200 km long, passes with Belize and Guatemala.
Mexico has access to two oceans - the Pacific and the Atlantic. The western coast of the country is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, and the eastern - by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The length of the coastline is 9.2 thousand km. Off the northwestern coast of Mexico are its largest islands: Angel de la Guarda, Cedros, Tiburon.

An important feature of the economic - geographical position of Mexico is its proximity to the United States. The main railroads and highways from the interior of the country approach the US borders. The territory of modern Mexico has long been inhabited by Indian tribes - the Aztecs, Mayans, Toltecs, Olmecs, etc. The name of the country comes from the name of the Aztec god - Mexitli.
In the 20s of the XVI century. Mexico was colonized by Spain. In 1810, the Mexicans began the struggle for independence, which was proclaimed in 1821. At present, the country occupied an area of ​​5 million km 2, and its southern borders reached the Isthmus of Panama. In 1824, the federation of Central American republics seceded from Mexico. The continuous political struggle weakened the country, which the United States took advantage of. As a result of the war of 1846-1848. From the US, Mexico lost another 2,200,000 km2 of territory.
In 1910-1917. A democratic revolution took place in the country. In 1917, a constitution was adopted - one of the most advanced for its time.

According to this constitution, with some amendments valid until, Mexico is a federal republic. The head of state and government is the president, who is elected for a six-year term without the right to re-election. The legislature is the National Congress, which consists of the Senate (64 senators) and the Chamber of Deputies (500 deputies), who are elected for three years.
Main political parties: Institutional Revolutionary Party (IRP), Democratic Revolution Party (SRP), National Action Party (NAP). Other parties are few and not very popular among the population. The PRI, which was founded in 1929, has been in power since its inception.
Geographically, Mexico is divided into 31 states and the metropolitan federal district. States have their constitutions, legislatures and governors.
Mexico is one of the most developed countries in Latin America. In terms of GDP, it ranks second in the region (after Brazil). According to this indicator, it is ahead of other countries, ranking 13th in the world. In 2000 Mexico's GDP was $875 billion, or 25% of Latin America's combined GDP.
According to the main macroeconomic indicators, Mexico is an industrial-agrarian country. According to the level of socio-economic development, as well as the nature of economic and social problems that still need to be solved, it belongs to the group of developing countries. According to the UN classification, Mexico belongs to the newly industrialized countries.
The rich and diverse natural conditions and resources of Mexico are favorable for the development of extractive and manufacturing industries, as well as diversified agriculture.
Relief. Mexico is a mountainous country. Most of its territory lies above 1000 m above sea level.
About 2/3 of the country's territory is occupied by the Mexican Highlands. From the west and east, the mountains of the Western and Eastern Sierra Madre extend to the highlands, and from the south it is surrounded by the mountain ranges of the transverse Volcanic Sierra Madre.

Economy. GDP per capita 6150 (9000) USD m Structure of GDP 5% - 26% - 69%. Industry: mining (including oil, natural gas, non-ferrous metal ores, fluorspar), petrochemical, metallurgy, mechanical engineering (including transport, radio electronics), light industry (including textile, footwear), food . Agriculture: crop production (cotton, sugar cane, coffee, corn, beans, tomatoes), animal husbandry (cattle, sheep, goats). Tourism (17 million tourists per year).​

International trade. Export: +158400 million USD (per capita USD 1532). Manufactured products (including engineering and light industry), oil and oil products, silver, fruits, vegetables, coffee, cotton (USA 88%, Canada 2%).

Imports: +168400 mln USD (per capita USD 1629). Equipment for metallurgical and machine-building plants, components and spare parts for the production of engineering products (including transport), chemical products, food (USA 68%, Japan 5%).

Den. unit: peso. 10.1 for 1 US dollar (2003).

The territory of Mexico is characterized by high seismic activity. In the volcanic Sierra Madre there are volcanoes Orizava (5700 m) - the highest peak of the country, Popocatepel (5452 m) and others. Earthquakes often occur in the southern part of the Pacific coast of Mexico.
Plains occupy about a third of the country's territory. The most extensive plain is located on the Yucatan Peninsula. The lowlands stretch in narrow strips along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.
Minerals of Mexico are characterized by different component structure. In Latin America, it is distinguished by large reserves of oil and natural gas, manganese, silver, sulfur, lead and zinc ores. Mexico accounts for 15% of the region's mineral resource potential. Ore minerals are genetically related to the Pacific ore belt, which crosses the territory of Mexico. They are located in hard-to-reach mountainous or desert and semi-desert areas, which makes their exploitation difficult. Ores of non-ferrous and precious metals are of high quality.
Fuel minerals. Among the explored fuel minerals, Mexico stands out for its reserves of oil and natural gas. The country's oil reserves are estimated at 7811.0 million tons, which is 43% of its total reserves in Latin America. The main deposits are confined to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. New fields have been discovered in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas, as well as offshore the Gulf of Mexico.
Natural gas reserves in Mexico are estimated at 2100000000000. m3, which is 28% of its total reserves in the region. This is the third place in America (after the USA and Canada) and tenth in the world. The main deposits are located in the northeast, on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, as well as in the southeast of the country.
The explored reserves of coal are small and are estimated at 5 billion tons. The main deposits are located in the north of the country in the Sabinas basin. Several large uranium deposits have been explored.
Metal minerals. Iron ore reserves are insignificant and are estimated at 0.7 billion tons, which is about 1% of the total reserves of the region. Explored deposits of iron ore are of very high quality (60-65% iron), are at shallow depths and are available for open-pit mining.
In terms of manganese reserves, Mexico ranks second in the region (after Brazil). It accounts for about 40% of the total reserves of Latin America. The largest deposit of manganese ore is located in the state of Hidalgo.
In Latin America, Mexico stands out for its reserves of lead-zinc ores. Explored reserves of lead ores are estimated at 8 million tons, which is half of the total reserves of the region. In terms of their reserves, the country ranks first in the region. A quarter of the total zinc ore reserves of Latin America is also concentrated in the north of the country. In terms of their reserves, Mexico is second only to Peru in the region.
Explored reserves of copper ores in the country are small. They are estimated at 8 million tons, which is only 6% of the total reserves of the region. The main deposits of copper ores are located on the California Peninsula and in the northwestern part of the country.
About 200 mercury deposits are known in the country. In terms of its reserves, Mexico ranks third in the world. The largest of them are located in the north. Mexico's pipe reserves in the region are second only to Bolivia.
In Latin America, Mexico is distinguished by reserves of valuable metals - silver and gold. Silver reserves are estimated at 65 thousand tons, which is almost half of the region's reserves. They are located everywhere. Most of the silver is found in combination with lead-zinc ores, although there are also independent deposits. Mexico holds a quarter of Latin America's gold reserves.
Explored reserves of sulfur are estimated at 89 million tons (about 40% of the total sulfur reserves of Latin America). The main sulfur deposits are associated with salt domes on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
The climate of Mexico is due to its position in tropical and subtropical latitudes between two oceans. The northern tropic divides the territory of the country into approximately two equal parts. Mountain systems prevent the penetration of moist oceanic air masses into the interior. As a result, the Mexican Highlands is characterized by an arid climate. The absence of high mountains in the north allows cold air masses to penetrate into the interior of the country.
In the north of Mexico, the average temperature in July is + 25 ° C, and in January - 10 ° C. In summer, the heat here reaches + 45 ° C. In the Mexican Highlands, sharp drops in temperature in winter and night frosts in summer harm agriculture. In the tropical part, the average annual temperatures do not exceed + 25 ° ... + 27 ° С.
Precipitation is distributed extremely unevenly. The northern and inner regions are experiencing a lack of moisture. There drops out from 100 to 200 mm. precipitation per year. The minimum amount of precipitation falls on the California Peninsula (20 mm.), And the maximum (5000 mm.) In the southeast of the country. On the Mexican Highlands, an average of 300-500 mm falls, and on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico - more than 4000 mm. in year.

The southern part of Mexico, which is under the constant influence of moist air masses from the ocean, is characterized by excessive moisture. The main amount of precipitation falls on April - October.
Soil resources. The soil cover of Mexico is very diverse and changes from east to west, due to a decrease in precipitation in this direction.
About a quarter of the country's territory is occupied by soils of tropical and subtropical deserts - gray soils. their development for agriculture is possible only with irrigation. They occupy the California Peninsula, large areas in the north and northwest of the country. Brown soils are common in the steppe regions with a moderately humid climate, and chestnut soils are common in the steppe regions with an arid climate. In the central regions of the country, fertile red-brown and brown-red mountain soils, formed on volcanic rocks, predominate. they are used mainly in traditional consumer cultures. In the southern plains, red-yellow red lateritic soils are common, formed in a humid tropical climate. Bog soils occupy waterlogged areas in the southeast of the country. About a quarter of the territory is occupied by infertile soils of high mountain regions, which are almost never used in agriculture.
Half of the country's territory and almost all cultivated land is heavily eroded.
Water resources. The problem of water supply is one of the most important. About half of the people live in settlements with poor water supply conditions. In most of the territory, agriculture is impossible without irrigation.
A dense river network is developed only in the south. There are few large rivers in the country. their length does not exceed 200 km. The largest river - the Rio Bravo del Norte - flows mainly through arid regions.
Navigable only small stretches of rivers on the plains. However, they are important for irrigation, especially the Rio Bravo del Norte, the lower reaches of the Colorado, etc.
The rivers are rich in water resources. their hydropower potential is estimated at 15 million kW. The energy of the Eastern Sierra Madre is used more year.
There are many small lakes in the country. The largest of them is Chapala.
Groundwater resources are almost twice the surface runoff of all rivers. In the northern part of the country and on the Yucatan Peninsula, they are the main source of water supply.
Forest resources. Forests cover 20.2% of the country's territory. The largest forests have been preserved in the mountains and in the flat part of tropical Mexico.

The species composition of forests is very diverse. The most common are coniferous and mixed forests, which occupy 60% of the forested area, and tropical forests - about 40%. The main species from which wood is harvested are pine, red cedar, and oak. They are the main timber exports and are used in the pulp and paper and wood chemical industries. Dyes and tannins are extracted from some tree species. Medicinal and other wild plants are collected in the forests. Mexico provides 80% of the world's chicle juice.
Reserves and national parks are open for nature protection. Now in Mexico there are more than 50 national parks with a total area of ​​about 1 million hectares.
population. Mestizos are the largest ethnic group in what is now Mexico. They make up 60% of the total population. There are about 45 Indian tribes in the country, among which the Aztecs and Mayans predominate. Indians live mainly in the central and southern regions, in the Yucatan and the Pacific Northwest. Europeans make up 9% of the total population and live mainly in large cities.
The first estimates of the population in the country date back to 1521. According to the data collected at that time, 9 million Indians lived in New Spain. By the end of the XVIII century. their number decreased to 5 million. In 1803, A. Humboldt estimated the country's population at 5,800,000 people. During the first census, which was conducted in 1895, 12,600,000 people lived in Mexico.
At the beginning of the XX century. the population in the country began to increase rapidly, mainly due to natural growth, and for the period 1920-1950. has doubled. High population growth rates were observed in the 50s and amounted to 3.5% per year. For the period 1950-1970. The country's population doubled again.
In 2001 99,600,000 people lived on the territory of Mexico. According to this indicator, the country ranks second in the region and eleventh in the world. The country's population is growing annually by about 1,800,000 people. For the past five years, the average population growth rate in the country has been 2.1% per year.
Fertility rate in Mexico in 2001 It amounted to 24 people per 1000 inhabitants, and mortality - 5 people per 1000 inhabitants. The main reason for the high natural population growth in the country was the decline in mortality, especially among children. The infant mortality rate in Mexico is 25 per 1,000 births, almost half the world average.
The age structure is dominated by young age groups. Children under 15 make up 34% of the total population, while those over 65 make up only 4% (2000). In terms of average life expectancy in the region, Mexico lags only behind Costa Rica. Average life expectancy for men is 70 years, for women - 76 years.
The population is distributed very unevenly throughout the country. The average population density is almost 50.9 people per 1 km 2 (2001). According to this indicator, the country ranks only 111th in the world.
The population lives in the form of isolated areas, which is primarily due to the mountainous terrain, problems of water supply in arid regions, as well as difficult conditions for the development of tropical regions. The highest population density is observed in the federal district - over 6,000 people per km 2 in the state of Mexico - about 300 people. The least populated tropical forest and desert areas of California, where the population density does not exceed 2 people per km 2.
Mexico belongs to the countries with a high level of urbanization. If in 1900 only 12% lived in cities, in 1950. - 29%, then in the late 90s - 75% of the country's population. The growth rate of the urban population is 1.5 times higher than the average growth rate of the country's population as a whole.
There are about 50 large cities in Mexico, of which four cities are millionaires, in which more than a quarter of the country's population lives. In terms of numbers, importance and variety of functions, the capital, Mexico City, stands out. The city was founded on the site of the destroyed Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. At the beginning of the XVI century. According to scientists, it was one of the largest cities in the world, where about 300 thousand people lived. The city is located in the Mexican Valley at an altitude of 2240 m above sea level. 16,900,000 people live in Greater Mexico City (1996). Mexico City forms one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. In terms of population, it is the second city in Latin America and the second city in the world. More than 3 million people live in Guadalajara, the country's largest city on the Pacific coast. The cities of Monterrey and Puebla have over 1 million inhabitants.
Mexico is characterized by a largely homogeneous religious composition of the population. About 95% of the population professes the Christian religion. Catholics predominate among Christians. In addition, many Indians adhere to traditional beliefs.
Features of development and general characteristics of the economy. In ancient times, agriculture developed in Mexico, gold and silver were mined. The native Indians have reached a fairly high level of social development. However, their original civilization was destroyed by the Spaniards.
During the colonial period, the mining industry began to develop in the country, mainly the extraction of precious metals. Mexico became an important supplier of gold and silver to the mother country.
In the post-colonial period, the structure of the extractive industry expanded - copper, lead, zinc, coal, iron ore and oil began to be mined. An important role in the development of this industry was played by foreign capital, mainly British and American.
From the middle of the XIX century. began to develop manufacturing industry - food and textiles. With the participation of American capital, the construction of railways began, which connected the country from the USA and were intended for the export of mining products.
By the end of the 19th century, three types of land ownership had developed in Mexico's agriculture: latifundia, livestock farms - ranches and communities. The importance of agriculture as an export industry has increased. The Gulf Coast and the northern states became the main areas of cotton production. Tropical crops were grown for export - sugar cane, coffee, bananas, and in the northern states - cattle for transportation to the United States.

By the end of the XIX century. in Mexico, two important cells of economic life were formed - the Northern states and the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, where the plantation economy and the mining industry developed.
In the 30s of the XX century. Mexico began the process of industrialization. The manufacturing industry for the needs of the domestic market developed rapidly. Its share in the creation of GDP gradually increased, while that of agriculture decreased. In the post-war period, the country turned from an agrarian into an agro-industrial one.
In 1983 Mexico moved to an open economy. Important economic reforms were carried out in the country - the privatization of state enterprises, the reorganization of property in agriculture, the liberalization of foreign trade, and the attraction of foreign investment. In the late 80s, the government revised the basic principles of agrarian policy - completed the reform of agriculture and created conditions for market relations in the countryside. In 1991, a law was passed across the country, according to which the peasant became the owner of the land and could sell it or rent it out.
In the early 1990s, Mexico embarked on the path of intensive development of a market economy. Over the past three years, GDP growth has already outpaced population growth and amounted to 3%. Inflation dropped to 8%.
Industry is the most dynamic branch of the country's economy. It creates 29% of GDP and employs 26.3% of the economically active population of the country. In terms of industrial production, Mexico ranks second in Latin America (after Brazil) and third among developing countries (after India, Brazil).
The industrial structure is dominated by manufacturing industries. Such modern branches of industry as electrical engineering, instrument making, the production of synthetic fibers, etc., are developing. Since the 1970s, the role of the extractive industry has been growing in connection with the inclusion of oil in the structure of the country's exports.
Among the most acute problems in the development of industry in Mexico is the hypertrophied concentration of industry in three centers: Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.
The mining industry is a traditional industry that developed during the colonial period and was represented mainly by the extraction of precious metals.
Mexico accounts for 15% of the value of the gross output of the extractive industry in Latin America. 7.2% of the country's GDP is created here. In the structure of the industry, the leading place is occupied by the fuel industry, which is dominated by the oil industry.
For local needs, oil began to be extracted in the middle of the 19th century. in the state of Tabasco. In 1901. An American company has begun developing oil fields in the area. Tampico, the so-called "Golden Belt". In the 20s of the XX century. this area was one of the important areas of world oil production. Mexico has become the world's second largest oil producer after the US. And the oil fields were exploited by foreign companies and for more than 20 years Mexico could not use its oil wealth to develop the national economy.
In 1938 the country's oil industry was nationalized and transferred to the state company Pemex. Since that time, oil has been produced in the country mainly for domestic needs.
In the 1970s, new oil fields were discovered in Mexico on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The main oil production area was the "New Golden Belt", which stretched from the city of Reynosa in the north to the states of Campeche and Tabasco in the south, as well as the shelf of the Gulf of Mexico. Since 1975 Mexico has become an oil exporter.
In the mid-1990s, the country annually produced about 140 million tons of oil, which accounted for 38.6% of its total production in the region. Almost half of the oil produced is exported. The United States is the main importer of Mexican oil. The increase in oil production in the 90s is associated with an increase in domestic consumption. Mexico is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Moreover, it coordinates with OPEC only its oil policy and is not connected with the restrictive quotas of this organization for the extraction and sale of oil.
Mexico has a modern oil refining industry. The production capacity for oil refining has reached 70 million tons. The oil company "Pemex" has about 200 oil refineries. About 2/3 of these enterprises are located on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico far from many large consumption areas.
Natural gas. In Mexico, mainly associated gas is produced - annually about 30 billion m3, which is one third of its total production in the region. In terms of natural gas production, the country ranks second in Latin America (after Argentina). About 2/3 of natural gas production comes from the southern regions of the Gulf of Mexico. Significant deposits have been discovered in areas bordering the United States.
The coal industry in the country began to develop in the second half of the 19th century.
The main coal deposits are found in the Sabinas Basin in the state of Coahuila. Coal is of low quality and is developed only for own needs.
The uranium industry began to develop in the early 80s in connection with the development of nuclear energy in the country. The main region for the extraction of uranium ore is the state of Sonora.
Mining is a traditional industry that dates back to the pre-colonial period. For its development in Mexico are a variety of mineral resources. And the share of the mining industry in the creation of GDP is only 1%. American capital plays an important role in the development of the industry.
The traditional branch of the mining industry is the extraction of precious metals (silver and gold). The main share of gold is obtained during the processing of lead-zinc and copper ores, and silver - during the processing of polymetallic ores.
Mexico ranks first in the world in silver mining. Annually, 2.5 thousand tons of silver is mined in the country, almost half of its total production in the region.
Iron ore is mined exclusively for domestic use. The annual production is about 8 million tons. The main deposits are the Sierra de Mercado near Durango and La Perla near Monclova. Iron ore is high in sulfur, making it difficult to use.
Mexico is among the top manganese producers in the region. About 500 million tons of manganese ore are mined annually in the country.
Significant positions not only in the region, but also in the world are occupied by Mexico in the extraction of lead and zinc ores. In terms of sulfur production, the country continues to hold the sixth place in the world. Since the 1980s, Mexico has become a fairly large producer of phosphates thanks to the development of deposits in Baja California. Tin is mined for the needs of the domestic market.
Manufacturing industry. The share of this industry in the creation of GDP is 25.5%. The structure of the manufacturing industry is dominated by heavy industries: oil refining, petrochemical, non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy, machine building. The metallurgical and petrochemical industries are marked by a high level of concentration.
Ferrous metallurgy is a traditional branch of heavy industry. For its development, the country has a well-developed raw material base - iron ore, coking coal and manganese.
Ferrous metallurgy in Mexico originated at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1903, the first metallurgical plant was built along Monterrey. For four decades it was the only enterprise of its kind, not only in Mexico, but also in Latin America.
During the Second World War, the production capacity of ferrous metallurgy enterprises expanded. The main enterprises smelting ferrous metals are located in the Northern and Central regions. Near the capital, electrometallurgical plants have been built that operate on imported raw materials. In the 70s, a metallurgical complex in Las Truchas on the Pacific coast was put into operation in the country, which works on local iron ore and imported coking coal.
The largest centers of ferrous metallurgy are Monclova, Monterrey and Piedras Negras.
Despite the growth in production, Mexico's iron and steel industry does not meet the needs of the country. Mexico imports a significant part of ferrous metals.
Non-ferrous metallurgy. Precious metals - gold and silver in Mexico began to be mined in the early years of colonization. From the second half of the XVI century. Mexico occupied a leading place in the world in silver mining, and at the end of the 20th century. was already in first place.
About 2/3 of the produced silver is exported, mainly to the USA. In the domestic market, silver is used in folk art crafts, as well as for the production of coins.
From the end of the 19th century Mexico develops the smelting of heavy non-ferrous metals - lead, zinc, copper and tin. After the Second World War, in connection with the development of new branches of technology, light metals - titanium, beryllium, aluminum and magnesium - became increasingly important. The most position in the region is occupied by Mexico in the production of lead and zinc.
Non-ferrous metallurgy in Mexico is dominated by part-time enterprises. For example, zinc in Mexico is smelted only a quarter of its total production, the rest is exported to the United States in the form of concentrates.
Mechanical engineering is a new branch of the manufacturing industry. In the sectoral structure of mechanical engineering, the leading place belongs to the transport engineering, especially the automotive industry.
In terms of the pace of development of production and export of products, this is one of the most dynamic industries. 350 thousand cars are produced annually in the country. In terms of the automotive industry, Mexico ranks second in Latin America (after Brazil) and is among the second ten countries in the world.
The first car storage enterprise appeared in Mexico in 1925 and belonged to the American company Ford. In the post-war period, American, German and Japanese companies opened their branches here.
In the 1970s, the Mexican automobile industry grew at twice the rate of the economy as a whole. Its share in the creation of GDP.
There are two sectors in the automotive industry in Mexico: a modern, export-oriented sector, and a traditional one, which produces less competitive products for the domestic market.
The automotive industry in Mexico is characterized by a high level of concentration of enterprises in Mexico City, Puebla and Toluca.
Enterprises of the electronic and electrical industries are located in the border zone with the United States. These are mainly factories that produce simple products from imported parts. The main centers are Mexicali and Tijuana. The shipbuilding industry of the modern type emerged after the Second World War. This industry produces fishing vessels, tankers, bulk carriers. The main shipbuilding centers are Veracruz and Mazatlán.
The chemical industry arose during the Second World War. The natural resources of Mexico can provide the development of many branches of the chemical industry. With the participation of foreign capital, enterprises have been created in the country that produce sulfuric acid, mineral fertilizers, pesticides, and artificial fibers.
In basic chemistry, the main place is occupied by the production of sulfuric acid, which is used for the production of mineral fertilizers. Mexico entered the top ten largest producers of nitrogen fertilizers in the world, annually producing 1,300,000 tons of this product.
The largest centers for the production of sulfuric acid and mineral fertilizers are Monclova and Cuautitlán.

Since the 60s, the organic synthesis industry has been developing in Mexico, represented by the production of synthetic rubber, plastics, and synthetic detergents. The main region of the chemical industry has become the coast of the Gulf of Mexico with numerous resources of oil, natural gas and sulfur.
The food industry is one of the most important industries both in terms of the cost of production and the number of employees. Its oldest branch is the sugar industry, the first enterprises of which appeared in the colonial period. Until the 1960s, the sugar industry worked mainly for the domestic market, and only a small part of the sugar was exported to the United States. In the second half of the 60s, a "sugar boom" began in Mexico, due to the fact that the United States stopped importing sugar from Cuba. Sugar has become one of Mexico's important exports. Canned food and coffee are also of export importance. Mexico is among the top ten largest producers of coffee and sugar, ranking third and seventh respectively in the world.
The largest center of the food industry is Mexico City, where half of the industry's enterprises are concentrated.
The textile industry in Mexico began to develop earlier than in other countries in the region. The first enterprises appeared in the 30s of the XIX century. It works mainly on local raw materials - cotton, artificial and synthetic fibers. Only woolen fabrics are partially produced from imported raw materials. The main centers of the textile industry are Mexico City and Puebla.
Agriculture. The level of agricultural development of the territory in Mexico is low. The share of agricultural land is 50.7% of the total land fund. In the structure of agricultural land, cultivated land accounts for only 12.9%.
The level of land security per inhabitant is low, especially considering the rapid population growth. If at the beginning of the XX century. for every person in Mexico, there were 0.38 hectares. cultivated land, then in the 90s this figure decreased by 2 times and is 0.2 ha.
Agricultural land is distributed very unevenly throughout the country. A high level of agricultural development of the territory is observed in the Central, Central Pacific and South Pacific states, where 3/4 of the rural population lives. In the Northern states, half of the territory is occupied by pastures. The development of land on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico is constrained by unhealthy climatic conditions and swampy areas.
To increase the area of ​​cultivated land, irrigation is important, which in Mexico has a long history. The indigenous people of the country were engaged in irrigated agriculture even before colonization. Today, a quarter of cultivated land is irrigated in Mexico. In terms of the area of ​​irrigated land, the country ranks first in the region and is among the top ten countries in the world.
According to the post-colonial period of development, the sectoral structure of agriculture has not undergone significant changes. Agriculture continues to be the leading branch of agriculture. It accounts for 2/3 of the value of gross agricultural output.
The specialization of agriculture is determined by cotton, coffee, sugarcane and tomatoes. For the needs of the domestic market, corn, rice, sorghum, beans and sugar cane are grown. Vegetables and fruits are grown for domestic needs and for the external market. Cotton, coffee, tomatoes and henequen are of great export importance.
Food crops dominate in the structure of sown areas - corn, wheat, rice, sorghum and beans. they are grown in small plots throughout the country. Cereals predominate among food crops. The main grain crop is corn.
Corn is grown in Mexico everywhere up to a height of 3000 m. It occupies almost 2/3 of the total sown area. The main share of crops is located in the central states. In terms of corn acreage, Mexico is second only to the United States.
Wheat ranks second in the structure of sown areas of grain crops. It is grown in areas of non-irrigated agriculture and on irrigated lands in the northern and northwestern regions of the country.
Rice has been grown since the colonial period in the mountain valleys in the central regions. Today, 2/3 of the gross harvest of rice is provided by the North Pacific states and the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
The grain economy of Mexico is characterized by a fairly high level of development. The wheat yield is the highest in the region, averaging 42.0 q/ha. More than 25 million tons of grain are harvested annually in the country, which is one third of the gross harvest of Latin America. In terms of grain production, Mexico ranks 15th in the world (1996). However, grain farming does not satisfy the country's internal needs.
Beans are the second most important food crop in Mexico. In terms of cultivated area, the country is second only to India and Brazil. The main crops of beans are concentrated on land lands in the central and southern states.
Potatoes have been grown since ancient times in mountain valleys. Potato areas are also found in the central states at an altitude of 2000 m. The low yield of potatoes is due to unfavorable climatic conditions for growing this crop. In tropical regions, sweet potatoes are grown.
Mexico is the birthplace of tomatoes. they are grown for domestic consumption and for export, mainly in the United States.
Various varieties of pepper are grown everywhere. Its largest cultivated areas are concentrated in the central states, where pepper is grown at an altitude of up to 2000 m. Most of the crop is exported to the United States.
Technical ones are grown on plantations and in peasant farms. Under them, about a third of the cultivated area is occupied.
Cotton is the main industrial crop of Mexico, which has been grown in Mexico since ancient times. Even before colonization, the indigenous people knew how to make fabrics from cotton fiber. During the colonial period, cotton was grown only in tropical coastal areas. From the 30s of the XX century. irrigated lands in the northern and northwestern states became the main area of ​​its cultivation in the country. In the post-war period, cotton growing has become the leading branch of agriculture. An average of 150,000 tons of fiber is harvested annually in the country, accounting for 10% of the total gross harvest in Latin America. According to this indicator, Mexico in the region is second only to Brazil. Mexican varieties of cotton are common in many countries of the world, primarily in the United States. Only a third of the total gross harvest of this crop is consumed on the domestic market.
Agaves occupy a place in Mexican agriculture. It is a versatile crop whose leaves are used to make a coarse fiber used for roofing and livestock feed. Agave stems in baked form are eaten, and the alcoholic drink pulque is made from the juice.
Coffee is an important plantation crop that gained commercial importance as early as the 19th century. Mexico is the second coffee producer in Latin America and the third in the world, after Brazil and Colombia. Annually, the country produces an average of more than 300 thousand tons. Coffee accounts for 10% of its total production in the region.
The coffee tree in Mexico is grown in the shade of other trees. The main region for growing coffee is the southeast of the country. On the tropical coast, varieties of coffee are grown, which are consumed in the domestic market. Export varieties of coffee are grown on plantations located on mountain slopes with a height of 500-1000 m.
Mexico has favorable conditions for growing sugar cane. This culture was brought to the country at the beginning of colonization. Sugar cane is grown in irrigated land and in the state of Veracruz on the Gulf Coast.
Sugarcane is Mexico's second most exported crop. In terms of its production, the country ranks second in Latin America. About 40 million tons of sugar cane are harvested annually. There are sugar factories near the sugar cane plantations.
Of the oilseeds in Mexico, sesame, soybeans are grown. The most common oilseed crop in the country is sesame. It is grown mainly in the Pacific states. About 170 thousand tons of sesame seeds are harvested annually in the country. Mexico is the world's third largest producer of this seed after India and Sudan.
In the post-war period, areas under peanuts and soybeans were expanded in Mexico. A significant amount of edible and technical fats are obtained during the processing of palm fruits.
Plantation fruit growing in Mexico began to develop at the end of the 19th century. The most important fruit crops are bananas, pineapples and oranges.
Much attention is paid to viticulture. More than 500 thousand tons of grapes are harvested annually in the country. Mexico is the fourth grape producer in Latin America after Argentina, Chile and Brazil.
Animal husbandry is a traditional branch of the country's agriculture, which accounts for a third of the value of agricultural products.
Natural fodder lands in the north and northeast of the country create favorable conditions for the development of grazing. However, animal husbandry in Mexico is still underdeveloped. The low purchasing power of the population hinders the production of meat and dairy products.
Mexico is dominated by extensive pastoralism, which specializes in cattle breeding.

The economic core of the region forms the city of Monterrey - the second largest city in Mexico after Mexico City, with a developed ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, electrical and chemical industries, as well as food and textile industries.
Other important cities in the area: Monclova, Durango, Saltilbo, Chihuahua, The Gulf Coast region includes five states. It occupies 12% of the territory, where 12.5% ​​of the population lives. The highest population density is in the state of Veracruz, where half of the district's population is concentrated.
The territory of the region is predominantly flat. The climate is humid tropical. Its territory is crossed by fairly large rivers that flow into the Gulf of Mexico. The region has large potential water resources. A significant part of the territory is covered with tropical forests. Dense forests, vast swampy areas and frequent river floods make it difficult to develop the area. Of the mineral resources, oil and sulfur are of the greatest importance.
The specialization of the region is determined by the extraction and processing of oil and natural gas. Large oil refineries and petrochemical complexes operate here. Agriculture specializes in the cultivation of tropical plantation crops - sugar cane, coffee, tobacco, citrus fruits. Heneken is grown on the Yucatan Peninsula. Rich natural pastures contribute to the development of animal husbandry. Almost all types of transport are well developed in the region. Wide roads leading from the hinterland to the coast predominate.
The economic core of the region forms m. Veracruz. Today it remains the main sea gate on the east coast. This is one of the oldest ports in the country, built by the Spaniards for the export of precious metals. It developed such industries as shipbuilding, ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, textile and food industries.
Important cities of the region: Minatitlán, Coatzacoalcos, Xalapa, Campeche, Meride, Ciudad Pemex, etc.
The North Pacific region includes five states and occupies 21% of the territory, where 8.4% of the country's population lives.
The territory of the region is predominantly flat, mountains occupy a significant part of the California Peninsula. The climate is arid, the amount of precipitation gradually decreases in the direction from the south. east to Mon.-West. The territory is crossed by rivers flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Water resources are widely used for irrigation. Of the mineral resources, manganese and copper ores, table salt are of the greatest importance.
The specialization of the region is determined by irrigated agriculture, which provides marketable products for the domestic and foreign markets - cotton, wheat, tomatoes, tobacco, sugar cane. In addition to agriculture, the mining industry is developing in the region, mainly the extraction of non-ferrous metal ore.
The manufacturing industry is developing in the areas bordering the United States. So-called "maquiladoras" are widespread here - assembly enterprises that depend on the main US factories and specialize in the production of export products.
The main cities of the region: Mexicali, Tijuana, Yermosilbo.
The South Pacific region includes four states and occupies 12% of the territory, where 11.4% of the population lives. Fishing is an area of ​​specialization, a significant part of the products of which is exported, mainly to the United States. Most of the inhabitants of the area are Indians. Half of all indigenous people in Mexico live here.
The territory of the region is mountainous, the plains stretch in a narrow strip along the Pacific coast. From mineral resources, oil and iron ore are of great importance. This is one of the most backward areas. Plantation agriculture specializes in the cultivation of coffee, sugarcane and tropical fruits. Fishing is developing along the coast. Of great importance for the economy of the region was the construction of one of the largest metallurgical complex in Mexico in Lazaro Cardenas. The rich oil fields discovered in the state of Chiapas open up broad prospects for development in the area. The area has great potential for tourism development. The center of foreign tourism is the seaside resort of Acapulco.

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Mexico has always fascinated me and I hope one day I will see this country with my own eyes. In the meantime, it remains for me to read and watch programs about it, so I know the features of this camp quite well. Today I will talk about the natural wealth of Mexico.

Minerals of Mexico

The abundance of underground wealth in this country is due to geological factors. First of all, these are volcanoes, and some are still active. As you know, most of the rare minerals are of a volcanic nature, and therefore the places of outpouring of magma become rich deposits. Volcanism is a manifestation of active geological processes, which leads to the formation of geological structures of a different nature, which also contain valuable elements. Mexico is rich in such geological units as:

• folding;
• blocks;
• deflections.

The largest are folding areas composed of volcanic rocks. They are rich in silver and gold, zinc, lead, copper and other elements. In general, Mexico can be called a country that has reserves of almost all minerals. I will especially note the large oil and gas basin of the Gulf of Mexico.

Mexico: natural resources of the country

The main problem is scarce water resources, but groundwater is many times greater than surface water. Actually, due to this, it is possible to somehow stabilize the water supply. Water problems have become an obstacle to the plowing of new lands, so much of the center and south remain untouched.

Forests cover up to a fifth of the territory of Mexico, but are concentrated in that part of the country that is located in the tropics. The wood is exported to other countries and used in the domestic market, but the main wealth of the local forests is chicle juice, the main component of chewing gum. More than 85% of this raw material is produced in Mexico.

I would like to note the huge energy potential of Mexico in the field of alternative energy supply. Today, projects are being implemented that will help to implement it in the near future.

Picturesque Mexico is located in the central part of America. Its total area is 1,964,375 km2 and occupies several climatic zones: from tropical to desert.

Mexico is a country rich in natural resources such as gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, natural gas and oil. The mineral industry in Mexico is an economically profitable sector and the main source of income for the state.

Resource Overview

The main oil-producing regions of Mexico are located in the eastern and southern parts of the country, while gold, silver, copper and zinc can be found in the north and west. Recently, Mexico has become the world's leading silver producer.

As for the production of other minerals, since 2010 Mexico is:

• the second largest producer of fluorspar;
• third in the extraction of celestine, bismuth and sodium sulfate;
• the fourth producer of wollastonite;
• fifth in terms of production of lead, molybdenum and diatomite;
• the sixth largest producer of cadmium;
• seventh in terms of manufacturing graphite, barite and salt;
• eighth in terms of production of manganese and zinc;
• 11th in the ranking of reserves of gold, feldspar and sulfur;
• 12th largest producer of copper ore;
• 14th largest producer of iron ore and phosphate rock.

In 2010, gold mining in Mexico accounted for 25.4% of the total mineral industry. The gold mines produced 72,596 kg of gold, up 41% from 2009.

In 2010, Mexico accounted for 17.5% of the world's silver production, with 4,411 tons of the raw material produced by the silver mines. Despite the fact that the country does not have significant iron ore reserves, its production is sufficient to meet domestic demand.

Oil is the country's main export. Moreover, according to statistics, Mexico's oil industry ranks sixth in the world. Drilling rigs are located mainly along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The sale of oil and gas accounts for 10% of the total export receipts to the treasury.

Due to the decline in oil reserves, the state has reduced oil production in recent years. Other reasons for the decline in production are the lack of exploration, investment and development of new projects.

Water resources

The Mexican coast has a length of 9331 km, and stretches along the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. These waters are rich in fish and other marine life. The export of fish is another source of income for the Mexican government.

Along with this, the increase in industry and the dry climate have depleted both ground and underground fresh water reserves of the state. Today, special programs are being created to preserve and restore the country's hydrobalance.

Land and forest resources

A truly rich region is rich in everything. Mexico's forests cover an area of ​​about 64 million hectares, or 34.5% of the country's territory. Forests can be seen here:

• tropical;
• moderate;
• foggy;
• coastal;
• deciduous;
• evergreen;
• dry;
• wet, etc.

The fertile soil of this region has given the world many cultivated plants. Among them are well-known corn, beans, tomatoes, squash, avocados, cocoa, coffee, various types of spices and much more.

Mexico is the second most populous country in Latin America; occupies an exceptional geostrategic position, located between two oceans and two continents: North and South America. In the north it borders on the United States, in the south - on Belize and Guatemala.

Natural conditions and resources. The nature of Mexico is diverse. This is largely due to the complex geological history of the country and the structure of the relief.

Relief. Mexico is a mountainous country; more than half of its territory lies at an altitude of over 1000 m above sea level; about 2/3 is occupied by the Mexican Highlands, bordered on the west, south and east by mountain ranges. The coastal lowlands are located along the Gulf of Mexico; the largest in area is the karst lowland of the Yucatan Peninsula. The country has many volcanoes.

The complexity of geological structures and volcanic activity determine the richness and diversity mineral. Mexico has numerous reserves of ore minerals confined to the world's largest Pacific ore belt. She firmly holds the first place in the world in the extraction of silver, the abundance of which at one time so struck and attracted the Spanish conquistadors; the main deposits are Las Torres (Guanajuato state) and Lampasos (Sonora state). Mexico is one of the world's leading producers of polymetallic, copper ores, and mercury. The richest deposits of lead-zinc and copper ores are located in the north of the country; Mexico is one of the world's leading exporters of zinc and lead. Reliable and probable reserves of iron ore with an iron content above 60% are 350 million tons. The main developed deposits are Las Truchas (Michoacan), Cerro de Mercado (Durango) and La Perla (Chihuahua). There are gold resources in the country. From non-metallic ores, it has large reserves of sulfur (Tehuantepek Isthmus), fluorspar ores (Musquis deposit, Coahuila state); graphite, bismuth, antimony. The presence of balneological and hydrothermal resources is associated with volcanic activity. But Mexico's largest natural wealth is oil and natural gas. With the opening in the 70s of the XX century. the largest oil fields in the states of Chiapas and Tabasco, offshore in the Gulf of Campeche, Mexico has taken one of the leading places in the world in terms of oil reserves and production. Its reliable and probable reserves are estimated at 14 billion tons; Mexico concedes in Latin America only to Venezuela (17 billion tons). Reserves of hard coal are estimated at 3 billion tons. Coal deposits are covered by layers of sediments formed as a result of marine transgressions and regressions, which makes it difficult to exploit deposits. The main coal deposit - Sabinas - is located in the northern part of the country. Sabinas coal contains a lot of ash and other impurities, but it is suitable for burning coke.

Several significant uranium deposits have been explored (the states of Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon, Durango). In terms of antimony reserves, Mexico in the Western Hemisphere is second only to Bolivia.

In terms of mercury reserves, estimated at 250 thousand tons, Mexico in the capitalist world is second only to Spain and Italy. There are over 200 mercury deposits, most of which are located in the northern part of the country.

Political system. Mexico is a federal republic. The head of state is the president, who is directly elected for a term of 6 years. The constitution prohibits the re-election of the president. Legislative power is exercised by the National Congress, which consists of two chambers - the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

Administratively, Mexico is divided into 31 states and a federal capital district.

General characteristics of the economy. Mexico is one of the most economically developed countries not only in Latin America, but also in the entire "Third World", having a diversified economy and a rich mineral resource base.

It ranks second in Latin America (after Brazil) in terms of GDP, although in terms of its size per capita it is inferior to a number of countries on the continent (Argentina, Venezuela, Chile). The GDP is distributed as follows: 6% falls on agriculture and forestry, 33% on industry and construction, and 61% on services.

Some features of economic development distinguish Mexico from other Latin American countries. Mexico is the only country in Latin America in which, as a result of the bourgeois-democratic revolution of 1910-1917. a fairly radical agrarian reform was carried out. It did not abolish large landownership, but cleared the way for the development of capitalism in agriculture. Mexico is one of the first Latin American countries to embark on the path of nationalizing natural resources and creating a public sector. According to the constitution of 1917, the state's ownership of the land, its subsoil and water was proclaimed. Until the reforms of the 1980s and 1990s, Mexico was distinguished in Latin America by the strong position of the public sector and its active participation in the economic life of the country, especially in the oil industry. Mexico was the first in the capitalist world to nationalize the oil industry (in 1938); the PEMEX oil company has become the backbone of the public sector. This is especially important because of the high role of the oil factor in the economic history of the country.

Mexico ranks second in Latin America (after Brazil) in terms of industrial potential, and together with Brazil and India, it is one of the "three" developing countries with the largest and most diversified industry. Its share in the industrial production of Latin America is about 1/4 and continues to grow. Mexico has a fairly diverse industry based on a rich raw material base and has a large reserve of cheap labor. In the 1980s and 1990s, its scientific and technical component increased significantly.

The structure of Mexican industry is characterized by a relatively high proportion of extractive industries. Over 70% of the cost of industrial production falls on heavy industry; its main industries are oil refining and petrochemical, as well as metallurgy and mechanical engineering. These sectors are dominated by large enterprises equipped with modern technical equipment. Most of them belong to foreign capital (mainly the USA, Japan, Germany).

But in Mexico there are many small and medium-sized enterprises owned mainly by national capital, and this is one of the features of the Mexican industry, due to the demographic factor: they provide a significant number of jobs and help solve the problem of employment, therefore they have always enjoyed the support of the state. In addition, the problem of small industry is closely related to the need to decentralize production.

In the Mexican industry, the position of the public sector has always been strong, but in connection with the new reforms, many enterprises have been transferred to private hands.

A specific phenomenon in the Mexican industry has become the so-called "maquiladoras" - enterprises for the export processing of semi-finished products from the United States in the north of the country. They are based on American capital and cheap Mexican labor: in the US, capital-intensive complex operations are carried out, in Mexico, labor-intensive ones. These are mainly enterprises producing components for automobiles, electrical household appliances, electronics, as well as footwear, clothing, and furniture industries. Nearly 90% of their products go to the US market. Mexico is the largest partner of the United States in assembly operations, which is primarily due to its geographical location.

Agriculture. Natural and climatic conditions in most of Mexico are unfavorable for agriculture. About 40% is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts, 40% - by mountains and forests, on the rest of the land, agriculture is possible almost exclusively with artificial irrigation. In terms of the area of ​​irrigated land - more than 6 million hectares - Mexico occupies one of the leading places in the world (over 1/4 of the sown area, constituting 23 million hectares, in 1994).

A characteristic feature of the agrarian system in Mexico is the combination of large landownership with communal. In this respect, it differs from other Latin American countries. Communal land ownership was inherited from the Indians. In communities - echidos - land, water and forests are in common use; cultivated land can only be inherited, while pastures and forests are shared. Mexican agriculture developed under the influence of the agrarian reform of 1910-1917, as a result of which the positions of large landownership were undermined, part of the land was transferred to the echidal sector. But at the present stage, echidal farms cannot compete with capitalist farms, whose importance is growing in the agricultural production of the country. They became the basis for the creation of the agro-industrial complex. The capitalist structure occupies a dominant position in modern Mexican agriculture.

Minerals

Mexico is a country rich in fuel and mineral minerals.

Remark 1

The country is actively producing oil. It is one of the largest oil producing states, it ranks seventh in the world and third in the Western Hemisphere.

The main oil fields of oil include:

1. Cantarel. A supergiant field located in the Gulf of Campeche. The complex includes several deposits: Chak, Nooch, Akal, Kuts, Ikstok, Siil. Oil reserves are estimated at 5.7 billion tons.
2. Noxal. It is located on the shelf of the Gulf of Mexico, a hundred kilometers from the state of Veracruz. The depth of oil occurrence is about 1 km. Initial oil reserves are estimated at 1.6 billion tons.
3. Chicontepec. A supergiant field located on the east coast of Mexico. The total oil reserves are estimated at 2.6 billion tons, natural gas - 1.1 trillion. cube m.

The most important resource is natural gas. The total gas reserves are more than 13 trillion cubic meters. cube ft. Natural gas is produced in the same regions as oil. The main gas fields are located in the north and south of the country (about 60% of the total), the remaining 40% are in the Gulf of Campeche.

The largest mineral deposits are located on the territory of the state. The main production is carried out in four states:

• Sonora. Leading in the extraction of gold, graphite, wollastonite, copper, molybdenum. The extraction of coal, iron, bismuth, celestine and silver is of great importance.
• Zacatecas. Extraction of gold, silver, copper, zinc, iron, mercury, tin.
• Chihuahua. Gold, silver, mercury, uranium, lead-zinc ores are mined.
• Puebla. Deposits of silver, gold, copper, iron, and lead have been developed. There are mineral and thermal springs.

In the northwestern regions of Mexico, copper is mined (deposits of Cananeya, Caridad, Mariquita, Milpiyas), in the northeastern regions - coal. In the west, reserves of gold (El Sauzal, Ocampo, Dolores, Mulatos), silver (Fresnillo), lead and zinc (Charcas, La Negra, Zimapan) have been identified. The Pacific coast is rich in iron deposits (Las Trujas, Las Enkinas, Pena Colorada, Aquila). Molango is the largest manganese deposit in North America.

The gold belt passes through the states of Oahaha and Guerrero (Cero Limon, Philos, Ixuatlan deposits).

Remark 2

Mexico occupies a leading position in the world in terms of reserves of gold, silver, copper, molybdenum, and zinc.

Water resources

About 150 rivers of various sizes flow through Mexico, most of which flow into the Pacific Ocean, and the rest into the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. About 80% of the runoff is formed by 39 rivers, whose basins occupy 58% of the country's mainland territories. The distribution of water resources throughout the country is uneven.

Most of the rivers are located in the southeastern regions of the country. 65% of the flow is formed by the largest rivers: Panuco, Coatzacoalcos, Papaloapan, Grijalva-Usumacinta, Balsas, Tonala and Santiago. The total catchment area of ​​these rivers is 22% of the entire territory of Mexico. The central and northern regions of the country have access to less than 10% of all water resources.

To the southeast of Guadalajara is the largest lake in the country - Chapala. Large lakes also include lakes: Kitseo, Patzcuaro, Yuriria, Catemaco, Tekeskitengo, Carillo Set.

Groundwater plays an important role, accounting for 64% of the total water supply.

Remark 3

A characteristic feature of Mexico (Yucatan Peninsula) is the presence of cenotes, natural wells, which were formed during the erosion of limestone rock by precipitation.

Soils. Flora and fauna

The presence of soil diversity in Mexico is predetermined by the features of the relief.

In the north and northwest of the country are the Sonoran and Chihuahua deserts. Primitive serozems predominate here. In more humid areas, there are gray soils, chestnut and gray-brown soils that are more suitable for agriculture. On such soils grow: creosote bush, mimosa and acacias, cacti, agaves, sedums, yuccas, dasilyrions. A characteristic feature is chaparral, subtropical hard-leaved shrub vegetation.

In the northern regions of the Mexican Plateau, there is a secondary center for the formation and settlement of cactus vegetation. The cactus succulent desert occupies the north of the Mexican Plateau, the Sonora Plateau and the California Peninsula. There are up to 500 species of cacti. Cereus are characteristic - giant cacti up to 20 meters high.

Fertile brown-red, red-brown, reddish-black soils are common in the humid southern territories of Central Mesa. The local population grows tomatoes, corn, legumes, peanuts, sesame and other crops. Previously, coniferous-hard-leaved forests dominated here.

Coniferous and mixed forests of the subtropical type grow around the plateau on the mountain ranges. Up to a height of 1200-1400 meters, low-growing oak forests are common, consisting mainly of evergreen species. At an altitude of 1700 m or more, pines dominate. Up to a level of 4000 meters in coniferous forests grow cypresses, firs, long-leaved Montezuma pine. On the cones of volcanoes, above the forests, alpine meadows predominate.

Figure 1. Nature of Mexico. Mexican cactus. Author24 - online exchange of student papers

The best preserved forests are on the plains and in the mountains of the Yucatan, located east of the Isthmus of Tehuantelec.

Lynx, black bear live in mountain forests. In the southern woodlands and forests, non-tropical animals are mainly found: jaguars, monkeys, anteaters, tapirs, marsupial opossums, porcupines and raccoons, many reptiles - snakes, poisonous teeth, turtles, iguanas. The cactus and thorny bushes of the northern regions of the country are an excellent haven for prairie dogs, wild cats, hares, kangaroo rats and other rodents. Sometimes there are coyotes, wolves, cougars, pronghorns and wild boars are found.

Rich avifauna: parrots, hummingbirds, toucans, vultures, umbrella birds, etc.

The entire coast abounds with lobsters, shrimps, oysters and crabs. Among the fish, you can mainly find sardines and tuna.