Download 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.