The Legacy of Mesoamerica History and Culture of a Native American Civilization, 2nd Edition

INTRODUCTION 9

Figure A.2 Map showing the three major geographic zones of Mesoamerica. After Robert C.
West, “The Natural Regions of Middle America,” The Handbook of Middle American Indians,
Volume I: Natural Environment and Early Cultures,volume editor Robert C. West, general
editor Robert Wauchope. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1964, p. 365.

to the more general features of the region’s geography have provided the ecologi-
cal basis for the many shared cultural features that gave the peoples of the Middle
American region a common identity and set them apart from other native peoples
in North and South America.
One useful scheme divides the region into three distinct geographic zones, as de-
scribed in Box A.1 (see also Figure A.2). Generally speaking, the Mesoamerican peo-
ples have adapted to the highland/lowland divide by means of two major adaptive
or ecological regimes, defined in terms of their respective agricultural, demographic,
and settlement patterns.

Box A.1 Three Geographic Zones of Middle America

Broad contrasts in elevation divide the region into the following three distinct geographic zones

(Sanders and Price 1968:101–105) (see also Figure A.2):

Tierra Fríazone (“cold lands”), 2,000 to 2,800 meters in elevation.

Tierra Templadazone (“temperate lands”), 1,000 to 2,000 meters in elevation.

Tierra Calientezone (“hot lands”), 0 to 1,000 meters in elevation.

(continued)

Durango Monterrey

Mazatl^rv

Guadalajara

'Mexico City, .Veracruz

(Oaxaca City

Acapulco.

Quezaltenango

San Salvador

-Tegucigalpa

• San Cristfibal de las Casas

M£rida/

Managua

San Jos£

Panama City

Highlands (Tierra Templada)

Lowlands (Tierra Caliente)

Coldlands (Tierra Fria)

Modern cities

o soo

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m

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