Sonora

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/sonora

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How many people live in Sonora?Approximately 3 million inhabitants
2. What is the capital of Sonora?Hermosillo
3. Why are there saguaro cacti in Sonora?The Sonoran Desert in Sonora is very hot and dry, and saguaro cacti are specially adapted to survive in those conditions.
4. Where does Sonora get its water for plants?The Sierra Madre Occidental mountains on the east side receive more rain, helping pine‑oak forests grow, while the desert on the west gets very little rain.

Sierra Madre Occidental: A major mountain range forming the eastern boundary of Sonora, influencing its climate and hydrology.
Arid/Semi-arid Climate: Characterized by very low rainfall, high temperatures, and sparse vegetation, typical of desert environments.
Gadsden Purchase: The 1854 treaty where the U.S. acquired territory from Mexico, defining much of Sonora's current northern border.
Maquiladora Industry: Manufacturing plants in Mexico, often foreign-owned, that assemble imported components for export, primarily to the U.S.