Question

north america - mexico and central america - review

1. what states in america does mexicos border touch?
2. what are the mexican border cities below each of the united states border cities listed below? san diego ____ yuma __ el paso ____
3. what bodies of water separate lower california from the rest of mexico?
4. why do you think a part of mexico is called lower california or baja california?
5. what is mexicos eastern range of mountains named? the western?
6. many mexicans live between the two mountain ranges on a fertile plateau. what is a plateau?
7. what is the capital of mexico? ____ where is it located? ____
8. what determines the three climatic regions of mexico?
9. what body of water is to the east of mexico?
10. what is a peninsula?
11. what cities have a population over one million?
12. what river divides part of mexico from the united states?
13. what countries of central america border mexico?
14. what bodies of water border central america on the east? the west? ______ the south?
15. one country has only a caribbean border. what is it?
16. one country has only a pacific border. what is it?
17. all the other countries are bounded by both bodies of water. which country has water on three sides?
18. what is the largest central american country? ______ what is its capital? san jose is the capital of which country?
19. what is the purpose of the panama canal?
20. what island is closest to mexico? ______ what part of the united states is closest to that island?

Explanation:

1. Mexico's border touches the U.S. states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
2. Opposite San Diego is Tijuana; opposite Yuma is Los Algodones; opposite El Paso is Ciudad Juárez.
3. The Gulf of California separates Lower California from the rest of Mexico.
4. It is called Lower California or Baja California likely due to its position relative to the historical concept of California and its lower - lying geography in some areas.
5. The eastern mountain range is the Sierra Madre Oriental; the western is the Sierra Madre Occidental.
6. A plateau is a large, flat area of land that is higher than the surrounding land.
7. The capital of Mexico is Mexico City, located in the Valley of Mexico in the center - south of the country.
8. Elevation, latitude, and proximity to bodies of water determine Mexico's three climatic regions.
9. The Gulf of Mexico is to the east of Mexico.
10. A peninsula is a piece of land that is almost entirely surrounded by water but is connected to the mainland on one side.
11. Some Mexican cities with populations over one million include Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, etc.
12. The Rio Grande divides part of Mexico from the United States.
13. Guatemala and Belize in Central America border Mexico.
14. The Caribbean Sea borders Central America on the east; the Pacific Ocean on the west; no major body of water directly borders it on the south.
15. Belize has only a Caribbean border.
16. Costa Rica has only a Pacific border.
17. Panama has water on three sides (Caribbean Sea to the north, Pacific Ocean to the south and east).
18. Nicaragua is the largest Central American country, and its capital is Managua; San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica.
19. The purpose of the Panama Canal is to provide a shortcut for maritime trade between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, reducing travel distance and time.
20. The island closest to Mexico is Cozumel; the part of the United States closest to that island is the southern tip of Florida.

Answer:

1. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
2. Tijuana; Los Algodones; Ciudad Juárez
3. The Gulf of California
4. Due to position and geography
5. Sierra Madre Oriental; Sierra Madre Occidental
6. A large, flat, elevated land area
7. Mexico City; Valley of Mexico, center - south of the country
8. Elevation, latitude, proximity to water
9. The Gulf of Mexico
10. A piece of land almost surrounded by water, connected to mainland on one side
11. Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, etc.
12. The Rio Grande
13. Guatemala, Belize
14. Caribbean Sea; Pacific Ocean; None directly
15. Belize
16. Costa Rica
17. Panama
18. Nicaragua, Managua; Costa Rica
19. To provide a shortcut for maritime trade between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
20. Cozumel; Southern tip of Florida