por The Pacific Coastal Plain It is one of the 15 physiographic regions into which Mexico is divided. It begins in the vicinity of the city of Mexicali (capital of the state of Baja California) and in the delta of the Colorado River in the northern part of the Gulf of California. This plain ends near the city of Tepic, capital of the state of Nayarit, about 1,450 km south of Mexico.
In general, a coastal plain is a geographical area of flat, low land that extends along the ocean. They are separated from the rest of the interior of the continent by nearby geographical features, such as mountains, mountain ranges, highlands, among others.
The coastal plains can be formed by the development of some continental shelf. This begins as a flat terrain located below sea level. When the ocean level drops, the land is exposed creating a coastal plain.
Sometimes these extend inland. Subsequently, they are separated from the ocean by formations that rise above sea level.
In addition, it can develop when river currents transport rocks, soil, and other sedimentary materials to the ocean. The successive and sustained contributions of sediment generate layers that accumulate over time. In this way, an expanse of flat or gently sloping land is created.
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Characteristics of the Pacific Coastal Plain
In the American continent there are several areas of coastal plains. Some of them are narrow due to the little separation between the mountains and the sea. However, others are widespread and very fertile.
Precisely, in this last group, the one that extends along the Pacific coast from southern Mexico to Central America stands out. For most of its journey through the Aztec region, the Pacific Coastal Plain borders the Gulf of California. This crosses the states of Sonora, Sinaloa and Nayarit.
In this way, this coastal plain corresponds to the ancient lands occupied by the Mayas. Countless products are produced and traded on these lands.
Among them, dried fish and evaporated sea salt. Similarly, in the Pacific Coastal Plain cocoa, sugar cane and cotton are grown. Livestock activities are also carried out.
The entire northern section of this plain is occupied by the Sonoran desert. However, parts of these lands have been irrigated and transformed into highly productive farmland.
Hydrology
For the most part, the hydrology of the Pacific Coastal Plain is made up of lagoons and the rivers that flow from the western part of the Sierra Madre. All these rivers have created deltas in the region near the coast. Among the most important of these coastal plains are the Yaqui River and the Fuerte River.
Yaqui River
For its part, the Yaqui is located in the center-west of Sonora. Its length is 397 km and the total extension of its basin is between 72,000 km² and 79,172 km².
Along this river are the dams of La Angostura, El Novillo and General Álvaro Obregón.
strong river
Regarding the Fuerte river, Chihuahua is born by the union of the Verde and Urique rivers. It descends from the Sierra Madre Occidental to the Gulf of California through the state of Sinaloa.
Its waters are used for irrigation in the gulf lowlands. El Fuerte is approximately 290 km long (560 km if the Río Verde is included).
Climate
In general, the Pacific Coastal Plain has a warm humid or warm sub-humid climate.
The first is characterized by having an average annual temperature of between 22° and 26°C. As for rainfall, they range from 2,000 to 4,000 mm per year.
On the other hand, in the warm sub-humid climate, rainfall between 1,000 and 2,000 mm is recorded annually. Temperatures can vary between 22°C and 26°C. In some regions, temperatures can even exceed 26°C.
However, the Pacific Coastal Plain north of the 25°N parallel exhibits a very dry climate. In this type of climate the circulation of the winds is high. This results in little cloudiness and rainfall of 300 to 600 mm per year.
Average temperatures are between 22° to 26° C in some regions. In others the average is 18° to 22° C.
Relief
Contrary to what one may think, the lowlands are not completely flat. They are made up of a series of topographic changes such as coastal terraces, low plateaus, and small basins interspersed with fluvial deltas and narrow coastal strips. In this sense, the coastal terraces are successive platforms of different levels.
On the other hand, the Pacific coastal plain is made up of a large part of its territory by alluvium. An alluvium is sedimentary material that has been transported by water currents from regions that are higher up.
This transport is done through areas with steep slopes and is deposited in lower elevation areas. The flat coastal areas receive these alluvium from the western part of the Sierra Madre.
Flora
Broadleaf species abound in the Pacific Coastal Plain. These plants are characterized by having leaves with a flat and relatively wide surface. Its coverage in the area is at the level of open forest.
These forests are interspersed with cultivated pastures and areas covered by mangroves. The one that predominates is the red mangrove. But there is also an association of red mangrove, mangrove, black, and red mangrove with buttonwood layers. These strata surround the densest areas of the mangrove.
In addition, some endemic species of the Urticaceae, Piperaceae, Arecaceae, Araceae, Crassulaceae, Sabiaceae and Nyctaginaceae families are part of the flora. These are generally found within the farms used for export crops.
Fauna
The fauna of the Pacific Coastal Plain in Mexico is favored by the presence of large areas covered by mangroves.
These mangroves and their associated wetlands also serve as one of the most important winter habitats, supporting 80% of the Pacific migratory shorebird populations. There are a total of 252 species of birds. There are also 36 types of endemic birds.
Similarly, you can find large numbers of reptiles, amphibians and other terrestrial vertebrates such as pumas, ocelots and jaguars. Within the marine fauna, four species of turtles are in danger of extinction.
References
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Encyclopædia Britannica. (2008, August 07). Fuerte River Retrieved on February 4, 2018, from britannica.com.
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