Mexico

Mexico is a large country in the southern part of North America, bordered by the United States to the north and Belize and Guatemala to the southeast. It has extensive coastlines along the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Mexico covers about 1.96 million square kilometres, making it one of the largest countries in the Americas. Its capital, Mexico City, lies in a high-altitude basin surrounded by mountains and volcanoes.

The country has a remarkably varied relief, including the Sierra Madre ranges, the central Mexican Plateau, volcanic peaks and broad coastal plains. Pico de Orizaba, an active stratovolcano, reaches about 5,636 metres and is the highest mountain in Mexico. The country also contains large deserts in the north, tropical forests in the south and limestone landscapes in the Yucatán Peninsula. Mexico's climate varies greatly because of its size, latitude and differences in altitude.

Northern regions are generally drier, while the south and southeast include humid tropical areas. Mountain ranges and plateaus create cooler climates at higher elevations, even in otherwise warm regions. Mexico is also part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, so earthquakes and volcanic activity occur in several areas. Its long coastlines expose the country to tropical cyclones, particularly along the Pacific and Gulf coasts.

Mexico's ecosystems range from deserts and grasslands to tropical forests, mangroves and coral reefs, supporting a rich variety of species. Agriculture produces maize, wheat, beans, avocados, fruits and other crops, while industry, services, tourism and energy are major parts of the economy. Mexico's geography is therefore defined by strong contrasts in relief, climate and ecosystems across a vast territory.