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The Oaxaca region lies mostly within the Sierra Madre del Sur. This area is an extremely rugged section of the Sierra Madre Mountain chain containing scattered volcanoes and some of the highest peaks in Mexico. Below the mountains lies the Oaxaca plateau, a broad fertile section of land that was used to support the cities of the Zapotec culture. On the western border the mountains give way to the low flat sandy plains of the Pacific Coast.
The climate ranges from savanna and temperate forest on the Oaxaca plateau to dry arctic conditions high in the mountains, to humid sandy beaches on the coast. On average, the Oaxaca plateau and coastline receives 50 inches of rain per year. Average temperatures are affected by altitude and proximity to the ocean. The low coastal plains are hot and humid, with annual temperatures ranging from 60 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The higher Oaxaca plateau is much more temperate and has little variation in temperatures throughout the year. It only fluctuates between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The mountains are much colder and seldom get over 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the year.
The highest peaks of the
mountains in this region grow a little arctic vegetation, while the lower
elevations are forested with oak, pine, and fir trees. The plateau has a
variety of native grasses and trees. The mountains and even the plateaus are
the domain of jaguars, bears, ocelots, peccaries, pumas, and large numbers of
birds including some species of game birds. The coastal regions and lower
sections of the rivers are rich in fish. Fur-bearing seals can be found along
the coast as well as many varieties of sea birds.
