One Country, Many Environments

Introduction:

Mexico, from the food, to the traditional clothes, to the local traditions, is a diverse country. This diversity, in part, comes from the fact the environments that make up the country are different. In this Field Note, I will compare two very different environments in Mexico. The first will be the environment of my home city, Puebla. The other will be that of the city of Mérida, which is located on the Yucatán peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico.

What makes this environment special or different?:

The environment of Puebla is affected by its altitude. Since it is 7,000 feet above sea level, the air is thin and the sun is strong. Puebla is also close to active volcanoes, so there is always the chance of an eruption or earthquake. The land lends itself to the growth of corn, coffee and beans.

Mérida, on the other hand, is close to sea level. The air is noticeably more humid here than in Puebla, and Mérida receives a lot more rain. Although it doesn't have the same risk of earthquakes, it can be struck by hurricanes. Common crops here are habanero peppers, limes, avocados and papaya.

What parts of this environment help people to live here?:

The climates in both Puebla and Mérida are favorable for human life. Neither of them freezes completely in the winter and both receive rain during the rainy season each year.

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