Dec 172016
 

Most of Mexico is above 1000 m (about 3300 ft) in elevation; as a result most of Mexico has a more temperate climate than might be expected given its latitude.

The famous explorer Alexander von Humboldt, one of the founding fathers of physical geography and meteorology, was the first to describe the vertical differentiation of climatic and vegetation zones in Mexico. Writing in 1811, he proposed the terms tierra caliente, tierra templada, and tierra fría, still widely used by non-specialists today.

Tierra caliente (hot land) includes all areas under about 900 m (3000 ft). These areas generally have a mean annual temperature above 25°C (77°F). Their natural vegetation is usually either tropical evergreen or tropical deciduous forest. Farms produce tropical crops such as sugar-cane, cacao and bananas.

Altitude zones

Altitude zones. Copyright John Wiley & Sons Inc. 2000.

Tierra templada (temperate land) is the area between 900 and 1800 m (3000 to 6000 ft) where mean annual temperatures are usually between about 18°C and 25°C (64°F to 77°F). The natural vegetation in these zones is temperate forest, such as oak and pine-oak forest. Farms grow crops such as corn (maize), beans, squash, wheat and coffee.

Tierra fria (cold land) is over 1800 m (6000 ft) where mean annual temperatures are in the range 13°–18°C (55°–64°F). At these altitudes pine and pine-fir forests are common. Farm crops include barley and potatoes. On the highest mountain tops, above the tierra fría is tierra helada, frosty land.

Even higher, and almost permanently under snow and ice, is the tierra nevada, snow-covered land.

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  4 Responses to “Altitude zones of Mexico”

  1. Thank you!!! This was really helpful for my homework!!! I couldn’t find any other good source of information.

  2. Good useful information. Basic but important info. Now you need a the Topographical map to accompany the info so we can have a visual of the elevation all changes….

  3. The relief/topographic map you are asking for is actually Figure 3.1 of our book Geo-Mexico: the Geography and Dynamics of Modern Mexico – https://www.createspace.com/4406054. The book’s many maps and diagrams do not readily lend themselves to blog posts or online reading. Thanks for your continued kind words and support. Seasonal greetings, TB

  4. This helped me study for a test. I am only 15 so i would get in trouble if i had to pay for anything and im happy this was free.

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