Why Explore Mexico? PART I

Image via Wikipedia

Well for one it’s free, that is if you use Google Earth or similar programs like NASA World Wind, but also because Cinco de Mayo is approaching.  With that said if you do plan on exploring Mexico virtually be warned. For one, the CIA World Factbook lists the total area of Mexico at 1,964,375 sq km, that’s just under 2 million square kilometers. Additionally, while virtual exploration may not carry the same risks and costs associated with physical exploration, it does consume a lot of time so it is best to narrow in on a specific region.

Located just below the United States of America and slightly above Belize and Guatemala, Mexico, or the United Mexican States, “is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world and the second most-populous country in Latin America after Portuguese-speaking Brazil. (Source: US Department of State)” Aside from its people, food, and history as exemplified by Cinco de Mayo and this article by Suzanne Barbezat, the United Mexican States offers a lot to study geographically.

^Above. (18°36’48.05″ N  91°31’43.90″ W – Laguna de Términos)

According to Google Earth, Laguna de Términos is the ”largest estuary-lagoon in México.” Yet despite the picturesque nature of the lagoon viewed above it is difficult to see the 448 species that call this home, making it “the most species-rich of Mexico’s four large lagoons. (Source: Oceana)”

^Above. (18°13’01.21″ N  92°17’06.47″ W)

To the south-west of Laguna de Términos a pattern of diamond-shaped grid lines emerge. Usually I would assume straight lines are the product of human activity, perhaps farming, as to quote the US Department of Transportation, “Long straight lines rarely occur in nature.” Yet, the scale is still impressive and while other explanations may exist this is just another interesting highlight the appears in the geography of Mexico.

^Above. (17°36’46.66″ N  92°48’57.17″ W)

Example of a piece of land that could have been farmland based on the rectangular “strips” similar to those in European states under a feudal system and later in New France under a “seigneurial system ”. Just another reminder of how humans can shape the geography of a land.

^Above Left. (28°33’37.61″ N 106°45’06.08″ W – Laguna de Bustillos)

^Right. Apparent island within Laguna de Bustillos.

^Above. (26°17’44.84″ N 109°11’24.26″ W)

To the western part of Mexico several circular formations viewable from the sky. These appear several places throughout Mexico albeit in this photo they are quite grouped.

Mary Islands, although detached from Mexico, still affiliated. Note that despite their geographical beauty, they might not be open to the public and there is the potential that they are still being used as a penal colony.

^Above left. (20°03’14.19″ N  87°34’05.85″ W) Right (20°10’00.80″ N  87°33’08.73″ W) Slightly north of the left image.

Switching coasts to the East there are several large bodies of water. Using the ruler tool, the diameter of the water body in the right image is just under 600 meters or in terms of feet, over 2000ft. The elongated water body in the image to the left above registered at being over 7000 meters long or well over 24’000 feet. Of course, the ruler tool may not be the most reliable measurement device and hence these figures are rounded conservatively. As always, feel free to enter the coordinates and measure them yourself. Later, this section will resume with more finds available to be discovered with the click of a mouse and some patience.

 

Mexico – Blanketed By The Weather

 

The Los Angeles Times has recently released an article entitled Mexico, Central America struggle through deadly rainy season detailing how “heavy seasonal rainfall has set off deadly mudslides and widespread flooding across Central America and Mexico’s southeast, killing more than 50 people and displacing more than half a million.”

Just as Guatemala has been stricken by landslides and floods so too has Mexico become blanketed under the torrential rain resulting in widespread insecurity. According to an article released earlier today by the Associated Press, “tens of thousands of people have abandoned their homes across southern Mexico to escape flooding from weeks of torrential rains, and forecasts are predicting even more rainfall.”

Floods are starting to be a recurring event in parts of Mexico like Tabasco, which a BBC article reminds it’s readers “was the scene of devastating floods three years ago.” Yet hope is significant when it comes to learning from the past to minimize damage the future has to offer, and with widespread reports of “the worst to come” as the BBC quoted Tabasco Governor Andres Granier as saying, hope might the driving force affected by the flooding.