12.1 New Mexico's diverse landscapes and regions

New Mexico's landscapes are a mosaic of diverse regions. From the flat grasslands of the Great Plains to the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains, each area has its own unique features and ecosystems.

These varied landscapes have shaped human settlement patterns and economic activities. Early communities clustered near water sources, while later development tapped into natural resources and scenic beauty for mining, research, and tourism.

New Mexico's Geographical Regions

The Four Main Regions

Top images from around the web for The Four Main Regions

• 

  Great Plains – Wikitravel View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:New mexico regions.png - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Colorado Plateau - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Great Plains – Wikitravel View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:New mexico regions.png - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for The Four Main Regions

• 

  Great Plains – Wikitravel View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:New mexico regions.png - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Colorado Plateau - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Great Plains – Wikitravel View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:New mexico regions.png - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• New Mexico is divided into four main geographical regions: the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, the Colorado Plateau, and the Basin and Range Province
• The Great Plains region in eastern New Mexico features flat to rolling grasslands and a semi-arid climate
• The Rocky Mountains region in north-central New Mexico includes high peaks, deep valleys, and coniferous forests
• The Colorado Plateau region in the northwest corner of the state showcases colorful mesas, buttes, and canyons carved by the San Juan River and its tributaries
• The Basin and Range Province covers much of southern and central New Mexico, characterized by alternating mountain ranges and flat desert basins

Characteristics of Each Region

• The Great Plains region is known for its vast expanses of shortgrass prairie and is home to iconic species such as pronghorn antelope, bison, and prairie dogs
• The Rocky Mountains region boasts majestic peaks, alpine meadows, and forests of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and aspen, providing habitat for elk, black bears, and bighorn sheep
• The Colorado Plateau region's distinctive landscape includes towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and pinyon-juniper woodlands, supporting species like mule deer, coyotes, and peregrine falcons
• The Basin and Range Province encompasses the Chihuahuan Desert, with its diverse array of cacti, yuccas, and agaves, as well as unique animals like roadrunners, rattlesnakes, and kangaroo rats

Topography's Influence on Settlement

Water Sources and Agriculture

• New Mexico's topography has played a significant role in determining where people have settled and what economic activities they have pursued
• Early Native American settlements were often located near reliable water sources, such as the Rio Grande and its tributaries, which allowed for agriculture (maize, beans, squash) and trade
• Spanish colonial settlements were concentrated in the Rio Grande Valley, where irrigation agriculture (chiles, wheat, grapes) and ranching (sheep, cattle) were primary economic activities

Resource Extraction and Tourism

• Mining towns and camps emerged in mountainous areas during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, following discoveries of gold, silver, copper, and coal
• The state's vast open spaces and varied landscapes have made it attractive for military installations (White Sands Missile Range), scientific research facilities (Los Alamos National Laboratory), and tourism (national parks, ski resorts)

Geological Shaping of Landscapes

Mountain Formation and Uplift

• New Mexico's diverse landscapes are the result of complex geological processes occurring over millions of years
• The Rocky Mountains formed by the uplift and folding of sedimentary rocks during the Laramide orogeny, a period of mountain-building that began around 70 million years ago
• The Colorado Plateau uplifted and dissected by rivers, creating the distinctive mesas, buttes, and canyons that characterize the region

Tectonic and Volcanic Activity

• The Basin and Range Province was created by the stretching and thinning of the Earth's crust, resulting in a series of parallel mountain ranges separated by flat desert basins
• Volcanic activity has also played a role in shaping New Mexico's landscapes, with ancient lava flows and volcanic cones visible in many parts of the state (Capulin Volcano National Monument, Valley of Fires Recreation Area)

Ecological Diversity Across Regions

Great Plains and Rocky Mountains Ecosystems

• New Mexico's varied topography and climate zones support a wide range of ecosystems and species
• The Great Plains region is dominated by shortgrass prairie and is home to species such as pronghorn antelope, bison, and prairie dogs
• The Rocky Mountains region features coniferous forests of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and aspen, providing habitat for elk, black bears, and bighorn sheep

Colorado Plateau and Basin and Range Ecosystems

• The Colorado Plateau region supports pinyon-juniper woodlands and sagebrush shrublands, with species like mule deer, coyotes, and peregrine falcons
• The Basin and Range Province includes the Chihuahuan Desert, with its diverse array of cacti (prickly pear, saguaro), yuccas, and agaves, as well as animals like roadrunners, rattlesnakes, and kangaroo rats

Riparian Zones and Migratory Birds

• Riparian zones along the state's rivers and streams support cottonwood and willow trees, providing critical habitat for migratory birds (sandhill cranes, snow geese) and other wildlife (beavers, river otters)
• The Rio Grande and its tributaries serve as important corridors for bird migration, with species like the southwestern willow flycatcher and the yellow-billed cuckoo relying on these riparian habitats during their journeys