Tropical products are found at a height of 4,000 feet. Rice, coffee, sugar-cane, tobacco and fruits like olives, oranges and lemons are all found here.
Evergreens, oaks and cedars are here as well, while maize and beans are seen growing all the way up from the coast.
Grains grow best at a height of 6,000 feet. Compare these conditions with those of the Hot Lands. Would the temperate lands be a desirable place for a home? What effect has the climate upon the people? Compare them with inhabitants of the low lands. Draw typical scenes, including houses, of temperate lands.
About 7,000 feet we find the “Cold Lands.” Here the amount of rainfall is only one-sixth of that of the low lands. Many small rivers having their source in the eternal snows of the lofty mountain peaks, disappear before reaching the lakes or lagoons. Why? Above 8,000 feet many varieties of the fir tree are seen climbing the mountain slopes. Only four mountain peaks are snow-capped all the year round.
The mountains are rich in metals, especially silver. Sulphur is obtained from the very throat of the crater of Popocatapetl. Salt is obtained from the lakes. The pupils should chalk model the plateau of Mexico showing what they have learned of details of structure. On this plateau every variety of surface is seen. Here are deserts, wooded hills, quiet valleys, and broad level plains studded with clear sparkling lakes which have no visible outlets. What feeds these lakes? What is their character? (Saline.) Why are they salt? Are they getting larger or smaller? Why? Compare the surface here described with that of Yucatan.
The soil of the latter is largely limestone. The surface is low and monotonous, with scarcely a river or brook of any considerable size.
Midway between Vera Cruz on the Gulf coast and Acapulco on the Pacific in the valley or basin of Anahuac, on a plateau of the interior, is situated the renowned city of Mexico, at an altitude of about 7,800 feet above sea-level. In which climate zone is it located? The valley is about 55 miles long, and 30 miles wide, and is hemmed in by mountains with the great volcanoes to the southeast.
Higher than any other, and the first to attract the traveler’s eye as he enters the valley, is the mighty Popocatapetl.
In the northern half of the valley are three small lakes and a number of towns and villages. In the southern half there are three large lakes and the city of Mexico. The lowest part of the basin is Lake Tezcuco. This is only 6 feet below the level of the plateau on which the city stands. The waters of this lake are salt, while Lake Xochimilco is a fresh water lake, situated a few miles south of the city and is 4 feet higher. It is from this lake that the city of Mexico obtains its water supply. What is the population of the city? What do you know of its people?
Throughout the lessons the pupil should be continually led to imagine what the life of the people must be, from what is known of their environment. Lead him also to infer the reasons for their present state of advancement in civilization. Have him sketch scenery, houses, utensils, etc., illustrative of their modes of life.