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Mesoamerica's geographical features and climate range from hot, humid lowlands to cooler, diverse highlands. The region, stretching from central Mexico to Costa Rica, is known for its topographical diversity, including the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pico de Orizaba. Culturally, it encompasses the Maya, Aztec, and Olmec civilizations, among others. Its hydrography features significant rivers and lakes, supporting a biodiversity hotspot with unique ecosystems.
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The lowlands of Mesoamerica have a hot and humid tropical climate
Altiplanos
The altiplanos of Mesoamerica have a wider range of climates, from semi-arid to temperate
Distribution of rainfall
The distribution of rainfall in the highlands of Mesoamerica is uneven, with some areas being more arid and others being wetter
Mesoamerica has a diverse topography, including high mountain ranges and low-lying areas like the Yucatán Peninsula
Southern Lowlands
The southern lowlands of the Maya area include parts of Guatemala, Mexico, and Belize
Northern Lowlands
The northern lowlands of the Maya area encompass the rest of the Yucatán Peninsula
Central Mexico
Central Mexico was home to the Aztec civilization
West Mexico
West Mexico is known for its shaft tombs
Gulf Coast Lowlands
The Gulf Coast Lowlands were the birthplace of the Olmec civilization
Oaxaca
Oaxaca is home to the unique Zapotec and Mixtec cultures
Southern Pacific Lowlands
The Southern Pacific Lowlands have a distinct cultural identity
Southeast Mesoamerica
Southeast Mesoamerica includes parts of Honduras and El Salvador
Sierra Madre
The Sierra Madre is a major mountain range in Mesoamerica, primarily volcanic in origin
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt
The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt includes numerous volcanoes, such as Popocatépetl and Tacaná
The Isthmus of Tehuantepec historically facilitated transportation and trade between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean
Major Rivers
The Usumacinta, Grijalva, and Motagua are important rivers in Mesoamerica
Underground Rivers and Cenotes
The northern Maya lowlands rely on underground rivers and cenotes for water
Lake Nicaragua
Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake in Central America
Lake Chapala
Lake Chapala is the largest freshwater lake in Mexico
Lake Texcoco
Lake Texcoco was historically significant as the location of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan
Other Important Lakes
Other important lakes in Mesoamerica include Lake Petén Itzá and the lakes of the Nicaraguan depression
Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System is the second-largest coral reef in the world
La Mosquitia
La Mosquitia is a vast rainforest region in Central America
Highland Forests
The highlands of Mesoamerica support diverse forest ecosystems, including pine-oak woodlands and cloud forests
Mesoamerica faces conservation challenges, as evidenced by the growing number of species listed on the IUCN Red List
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Mesoamerica geographical span
From central Mexico to northern Costa Rica
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Mesoamerica lowlands elevation range
Sea level to 1,000 meters
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Mesoamerica highlands climate variability
Ranges from semi-arid to temperate with cooler temperatures
