8
R .G . Lawford
I
MOUNTAINI
_~~~::.._~~
LAND ORIENTATION
CHANGES AT 59" N
3
"NORm" AMERICA
ENDSAT 8" N
Figure 1.2. Latitudes where geographical discontinuities occurred in data abstraction along the study zone.
The geographical structure of this zone necessitated several decisions
regarding the areas that were chosen in computing these averages. Figure
1.2 shows three areas where discontinuities occurred. The discontinuity at
59°N occurred because the coastal mountains changed direction, from
north-south to east-west. South of 32°N, values from the west coast of
mainland Mexico were included in the analysis instead of values from
Baja, California. On some graphs, Baja is shown as a dashed line. The
third discontinuity occurred at gON, where Central America joins South
America . In this area, data from the west coast of South America were
chosen for this comparative analysis.
Basic Topographic and Climatic Parameters
Elevation
While there are signincant mountain ranges along the western coasts of
North and South America, the Andes of South America are generally
more imposing than the western cordillera of North America. Between