| Average elevation | 1,111 m (3,645 ft) |
|---|---|
| Highest point | Pico de Orizaba: 5,636 m (18,491 ft) |
| Lowest point | Laguna Salada: 10 m (33 ft) below sea level |
| Elevation range | 5,646 m (18,524 ft) from the lowest point to the highest |
| Highest-elevation city | Real de Catorce: 2,728 m (8,950 ft) |
| Lowest-elevation city | Acapulco: 10 m (33 ft) |
Mexico is a country with varying terrain, from stunning mountain ranges and plateaus to coastal plains and deserts.
It has a diverse topography that makes it a popular tourist destination for outdoor activities. The country has numerous breathtaking natural formations, including waterfalls, volcanoes, and canyons.
This diverse landscape includes many types of soil, rock formations, and vegetation, leading to varied weather and climate patterns throughout the country. The topography of Mexico plays a significant role in the country's economy, as it has abundant natural resources, including minerals, agriculture, and forestry.
The topography of Mexico has also played a significant role in shaping the country's history, as various indigenous civilizations flourished in diverse regions of the country.
Mexico can be split into three broad relief zones. The Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental frame the north and west of the country, running roughly parallel to the Pacific and Gulf coasts and enclosing the high, dry Altiplano, where the capital, Mexico City, sits at 2,240 meters.
The volcanic Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt crosses the centre of the country from Colima to Veracruz and links Mexico City's basin to the populous valleys of Guadalajara, Puebla and Morelia. The southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas are dominated by the rugged Sierra Madre del Sur, which drops to the narrow coastal plain of the Pacific.
The highest point in Mexico is Pico de Orizaba also known as Citlaltepetl, which stands tall at 5,636 meters (18,491 ft) above sea level. It is an extinct volcano and one of Mexico's most recognizable landmarks.
The lowest point in Mexico is the Laguna Salada, located in the Sonoran Desert, which sits 10 meters (33 ft) below sea level. It is a popular destination for tourists to explore and experience the unique ecosystem of the area.
Mexico's topography is similar to that of the other large, mountainous countries of the Americas such as Colombia, Ecuador and Guatemala, all of which combine high cordilleras with low coastal plains and broad inland basins.
Real de Catorce is the highest-elevation city in Mexico, at 2,728 m (8,950 ft) above sea level. The table below lists the major cities with their elevations, from highest to lowest.
| City | Elevation | Elevation in feet |
|---|---|---|
| Real de Catorce | 2,728 m | 8,950 ft |
| Toluca | 2,667 m | 8,750 ft |
| Mexico City | 2,240 m | 7,349 ft |
| Puebla | 2,160 m | 7,087 ft |
| Guadalajara | 1,569 m | 5,148 ft |
| Ciudad Juarez | 1,224 m | 4,016 ft |
| Monterrey | 538 m | 1,765 ft |
| Tijuana | 30 m | 98 ft |
| Cancun | 10 m | 33 ft |
| Merida | 10 m | 33 ft |
| Acapulco | 10 m | 33 ft |
The highest point in Mexico is Pico de Orizaba, at 5,636 m (18,491 ft) above sea level.
The lowest point in Mexico is Laguna Salada, at 10 m (33 ft) below sea level.
The average elevation of Mexico is 1,111 m (3,645 ft) above sea level, based on the CIA World Factbook.
Real de Catorce is the highest-elevation city in Mexico, at 2,728 m (8,950 ft) above sea level.
Of the cities listed for Mexico, Acapulco is the lowest, at 10 m (33 ft) above sea level.
Elevation in Mexico ranges from 10 m (33 ft) below sea level at Laguna Salada to 5,636 m (18,491 ft) at Pico de Orizaba, a difference of 5,646 m (18,524 ft).