Miner's bridge near the city of Durango, capital of Durango state, north-central Mexico. Situated in the volcanic Sierra Madre Occidental, the state of Durango is abundant in silver, gold, sulphur, tin, mercury, antimony, and copper. One of the world's largest deposits of iron ore lies just north of the city.

Mountain top, Mexico. Mexico's complicated topography is a result of its position at the junction of two converging tectonic plates. Tectonic activity has caused the volcanism of the Sierra Madre Occidental and Neo-Volcanica Cordillera, as well as the folding and lifting of the plateaux and Sierra Madre Oriental. The northern part of the country is relatively dry, with sparse, desert vegetation.