 Mexico's Major Landforms
Plains and Plateaus:
The Mexican Plateau covers much of the northern and central portions of Mexico. It has an arid
to somewhat arid climate with its most densely populated area in the central part of the country.
This landform begins at the border with the United States.
Mexico's Coastal Plains run along the coastlines of the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.
Mountains:
Mexico is home to several mountain ranges. The Sierra Madres extend southward along both
edges of the country. The Sierra Madre Oriental is more than 13,000 ft. high and lies to the east.
The western Sierra Madre Occidental rises to more than 10,000 ft.
Volcanoes:
Volcano Orizaba is Mexico's highest mountain, rising to 18,855 ft. It extends from east to west
and is just east of Mexico City, the country's capital. Other notable volcanic landforms in Mexico
include Popocatepetl, Ixtacihuatl and Paricutin.
Peninsula:
The Baja California Peninsula extends into the Pacific Ocean and is separated from Mexico's
mainland by the Gulf of California.
Isthmus:
The Isthmus of Tehuantepec is the narrowest section of Mexico, joining the country with
neighboring Central America.
 Central America's Major Landforms
Central America is a land bridge, connecting North America and South America. This isthmus
also separates the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The seven countries found in this part of
the world are home to many beautiful landforms.
Guatemala:
Guatemala is covered by many mountains including the Cuchumatanes mountain range that
extends eastward and then splits into two separate ranges. The Sierra Madre mountains continue
south through Guatemala. There are also 19 volcanoes in this country; the most prominent of
them being Tajamulco.
Belize:
Fifty percent of Belize's surface is tropical rainforest. The Belize River runs across the country
from the Guatemalan border to the edge of the Caribbean Sea. The Maya Mountains are one of
the country's most prominent landforms. The highest point in Belize is Victoria Peak, with a
height of 3,805 ft.
El Salvador:
Mountainous El Salvador is home to parallel mountain ranges that sit on either side of a plateau
region. The Sierra Madre Mountains stretch along the Honduran border. El Salvador has 20
volcanoes to the south along with many volcanic lakes. Hundreds of small rivers course through
the country.
Honduras:
Honduras contains many hills and mountains that sit atop a large plateau. The Sierra Madre
Mountains are adjacent healthy rivers and valleys. Several cays and islands sit off the coast in the
Caribbean Sea. Mosquito Coast contains a dense jungle, lagoons and swamps.
Nicaragua:
Nicaragua's two major volcanoes are named Madras and Conception. The country's two
freshwater lakes are called Managa and Nicaragua, and they are surrounded by plains. These
landforms contain nutrient packed, volcanic soil.
Costa Rica:
The Sierra Madres occupy much of Costa Rica, although they appear as a multitude of smaller
ranges and valleys. The Talamanca Mountains form the border with neighboring Panama. Costa
Rica's northern plains are filled with thick forests.
Panama:
Panama's forested mountains run from its border with Costa Rica to Columbia, South America.
The Central Mountains, San Blas and Talamanca are among the country's most notable
mountains. From beach coastlines to rainforests, rivers and swampy lowlands, Panama's
landforms offer much diversity, which is one reason Panama has so much tourism.