El Nuevo mexicano., 1917-04-26

Mexico

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Before Texas became . part of the United
States and the Mexican war added nearly
a million square miles to. our territory,
Mexico, then a Spanish colony, and the
United States covered approximately equal
areas OF North America. Now the extent
of Mexico Is less than one-fourth of that
of continental United States, says q bulletin
Just issued by the National Geographic So
ciety at Washington. In this statement
there are given some Interesting figures
which contrast the present size Of the two
countries.
Mexico, however, still has a territorial ex.
panse nearly equal to the aggregate of
France, Great Britain, Ireland, tqermany and
Austria Hungary. but its total area (767,0 900
square miles) is less than that Of our five
largest s~tates-Texas, California. Montana,
New Mexico and Arizona-combined, all Of
these except Montana having been a part
of New Spain .7s years ago.
None Of the 81 political subdivisions OF
Mexico is as large as any one Of the 1--WE
states named, but four Mexican states as
gregate an extent greater than that Of
Texas. chihuahua, the largest Mexican
state, opportunities In area $4,000 square
miles, that OF Utah; Sonora (77,0O0 square
miles), Of Nebraska; Coahuila (63,000
square miles), Of Georgia, and Durango,
$4,000 square miles,, OF Kentucky. Nine
subdivisions of the United States (ncluding
Alaska) are larger than Chihuahua; is OF
greater magnitude than Sonora and 80
larger than Durango. The rugged and des.
emit character of the Mexican border states
luunurrfch rnor co urnuIaffrno >-a~~k sutr~n
mining exploftations and cities resulting
therefrom have concentrated settlement.
The mountainous ridge with limited lat
erals, which as o narrow peninsula extendg
southwark about $50 miles from the United
States boundary, and separates the Gulf Of
California from the Pacific ocean, Is not O
state, but is recognized as the Territory Of,
Baja California. which In area $4,000
square miles, closely approximates that of
Florida. The Gulf of California and the
shifting Colorado river practically isolate
Baja California from the balance Of the re-
public and prevent overland communication
with 1t. Tepic. on the Pacific coast, I'll, 900
square ,miles), smaller than Maryland, and
Quintana Roo, adjoining Yucatan. are other
territories.
The United States is adjacent to Mexico
for 1900 miles, apd for a distance equal to
that of st. Louis from New York the Rio
Grande river forms the boundary. Except
when in flood this river is apparently an,
unimportant stream and readily crossed, for
the normal flow is we'll utilized for irriga-
tion in both countries; but it has carved
in a part Of its course canyons difficult of
exploration. The changes wrought by
freshets, which shift the channel, have de-
manded the attention of an international
commission, whose function was to adjust
a boundary along the Rio Grande to meet
the varying conditions. The uncertainty Of
this is illustrated by a claim once under
investigation that a portion of the important
city OF FL Paso, Texas, was on Mexican soil.
The remaining 200 miles of the international
boundary to the west separating our neigh
Dor republic from New Mexico, Arizona and
California is through an arid desert section,
much Of which is mountainous. This is not
q direct line, but has five changes in align
ment, which have been accurately surveyed
and established by 25S permanent monu-
ments easily distinguishable.
Allowing for impossible canyons. noun
tain barriers, etc, probably 1400 miles of
boundary must be under surveillance to pre-
vent smuggling or the passage of contra
band articles. Railways in Texas, New
Mexico and Ariz6na are close to the border,
and these transportation avenues unite the1
two nations at seven points.