THE 6 MOST IMPORTANT NATURAL RESOURCES OF NUEVO LEÓN - GEOGRAPHY - 2024

The natural resources of Nuevo Leon are varied because of its biodiversity. Its plains, its lead and zinc deposits, and its pine and oak forests stand out.

The state of Nuevo León is located in the northeast of Mexico, and its capital is the industrial center of Monterrey. It limits to the north and east with the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The Rio Grande separates the extreme north of Nuevo León from the US state of Texas. In this way, its geographic position as a border state has shaped much of its history.

Santiago, Nuevo Leon

The contiguous states of Durango, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas have supplied much of the raw materials needed to fuel Nuevo León's modern economy.

The main natural resources of Nuevo León

1- Soils

One of the most important natural resources in Nuevo León is its soil. The state has three distinct growing regions; therefore, their agricultural products vary.

The coastal plain of the northern Gulf produces watermelon, pear, melon, squash, corn, beans, chili, cotton, and avocado. Corn, wheat, avocado, carrot, beans and potatoes are grown in the Sierra Madre Oriental region and in the highlands.

Additionally, green tomatoes are produced in the Sierra Madre Oriental region; and onion, squash, and chili in the highlands.

On the other hand, livestock also exhibits regional differences. Cattle, goats, pigs, sheep and horses are raised in the coastal plain of the Northern Gulf.

Cattle in the Sierra Madre Oriental region consist mainly of goats and horses. In the highlands, livestock are primarily goats.

2- Mineral resources

Almost all of the state's mineral deposits are non-metallic. The metallic mineral deposits are located in the municipality of Mamulique and in the town of La Iguana. Zinc and lead are extracted from them, respectively.

The most produced minerals in Nuevo León are: coal, graphite, copper, iron, limestone, silver, dolomite, gypsum, kaolin, fluorite and barite.

3- Water resources

Nuevo León has a semi-arid climate, characterized by low rainfall and high temperatures. This makes water a rare commodity.

Now, the entity is within three hydrological regions: Rio Bravo-Conchos, San Fernando-Soto la Marina, and El Salado. The latter is one of the most important interior slopes of the Mexican nation.

However, the three basins of that hydrological region that are in the state are not very productive.

On the other hand, on the border with the United States it crosses the Rio Grande. In terms of size, this river ranks fifth in North America and twenty-fourth in the world.

4- Forest resources

This entity owns 3.7% of the total national forest area. Among the forest species that are economically exploited are pine, oak, barrette, cedar and some tropical species.

However, the timber industry in the area is incipient. It is one of the natural resources of Nuevo León with the best potential for its use.

5- Vegetation

The vegetation is diverse due to the biogeographic position of the entity. This is in the transition between the Nearctic and the Neotropical zone.

Thus, natural grasses and shrubs cover some of the dry, low-lying regions. Pine and oak forests are found in areas with the highest level of humidity in Nuevo León.

The vascular flora comprises several families of cacti, grasses, composites, and legumes.

6- Wild fauna

Common animals in the state include species such as the collared peccary, white-tailed deer, black bear, opossum (also called Mexican opossum), rabbit, coyote, puma, wild boar, and armadillo.

References

1. Coerver, DM; Pasztor, SB and Buffington, R. (2004). Mexico: An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Culture and History. California: ABC-CLIO.
2. New Lion. (s / f). At Nations Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved on September 20, 2017, from nationsencyclopedia.com
3. Martínez Muñoz, A.; Cantú Silva, I. and Aranda Ramos, R. (2003). The environment and natural resources in Nuevo León. In Science UANL, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 3-4.
4. Nuevo León Sustainability Observatory. (s / f). Autonomous University of Nuevo León. Retrieved on September 20, 2017, from observatorio.iinso.uanl.mx
5. Regional Framework for the Sustainable Use of the Rio Grande (s / f). Organization of American States. Retrieved on September 20, 2017, from oas.org