A Physical Map: Mexico
Skill: Physical Features Essential Element 2: Standard 4 A Physical Map: Mexico Introducing the Map ANSWER KEY Monday 1. deserts, mountains, plateau, and plain 2. Peninsula of Lower California and the Yucatan Peninsula Tuesday 1. Sierra Madre Oriental 2. Sierra Madre Occidental Wednesday 1. Gulf of Mexico 2. Chihuahuan Desert Thursday 1. Central America and the United States 2. deserts and plains Friday Share with students the definition of a physical map. Show students the physical map of Mexico. Students will notice that Mexico's land regions are varied. Discuss the mountain ranges that make up the country. Tell students the Sierra Madre is the name of three mountain ranges. The name Sierra Madre means "mother range" in Spanish. Share with students that two-thirds of Mexico is made up of mountains and plateaus. Point out the two deserts that are also part of Mexico-the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts. Share with students that along the gulf coastal plains and on the Yucatan Peninsula, there are even tropical rainforests. Waterways dominate Mexico as well. Students should notice three important gulfs, one bay, oceans, and a major river. Tell students that the Gulf of Mexico is on the Atlantic Ocean side and the other two are on the Pacific Ocean side. Be sure to review the other vocabulary words that are used on the map of Mexico. Also, point out the relative location of Mexico. Talk about the international borders of Mexico. The United States is to the north and Central America with its six countries borders the south. Introducing Vocabulary desert a dry area with little or no rainfall height above sea level elevation 1. Peninsula of Lower California gulf a large area of ocean that is partly surrounded 2. Pico de Orizaba; 18,410 feet landform natural land feature on Earth's surface, such as mountain (5,610 m) Challenge From left to right, students should label California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas; Guatemala and Belize by land or hill mountain range a chain of mountains peninsula land that is surrounded by water on three sides physical features natural landforms and waterways on Earth's surface physical map a map that shows natural landforms and water on Earth's surface plateau an area of high, flat land rainforest a dense, tropical forest where a lot of rain falls Rio Spanish for river 70 EMC 3714 • Daily Geography Practice, Grade 5 ©2004 by Evan-Moor Corp.
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