Anthropology 350

Dr. J. Granskog

I. Mexican Plateau

A. Mesa del Norte (arid, north of San Luis Potosi)

B. Mesa Central (moist, higher elevation, 3 drainage systems: Santago-Lerma, Rio Balsas, Panuco)

C. Sierra Madre Occidental (west)

D. Sierra Madre Oriental (east)

E. Transverse Volcanic Axix--Central Highlands (from Lake Chapala to Lake Patzcuaro to Mexico City to west of Vera Cruz)

F. Balsas Depression (south, southwest of Mexico City--separates Central & Southern Highlands

II. Southern Highlands

A. Sierra Madre del Sur (Guerrero)

B. Mesa del Sur (Oaxaca--especially Valley of Oaxaca--most important basin)

III. Isthmus of Tehuantepec (geographically divides Southern Highlands and all of

     North America from Central America)

IV. Coastal Lowlands and Plains

A. Gulf

1. Huasteca (north of Vera Cruz)

2. Tuxlas (south of Vera Cruz)

3. Vera Cruz--Tabasco (Olmec area)

4. Yucatan Peninsula (no surface drainage--underground streams)

B. Pacific (including Baja California)

V. Southeastern Highlands (Highlands of Chiapas extending into Western Guatemala)