How has its location affected Mexico's economic development?

Answer 1

Mexico's location has both helped and hindered its economic development.

It has helped Mexico's development because it is strategically located between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, it is crossed by the Tropic of Cancer which allows a large variety of climates -- thus enabling several types of vegetation and crops -- and its location between several tectonic plate boundaries has allowed a vast richness of minerals, such as oil, copper, silver and gold.

It has hindered Mexico's development because the plate tectonics mentioned above have resulted in a rugged topography and harsh climates (subtropical deserts and rainforests) which are much more difficult to develop than say, temperate grasslands.

Finally, Mexico's strategic position and vast Natural Resources have resulted in several economic powers -- such as France, Spain, England and the United States -- preying upon Mexico for centuries. Defensive war and conflict are not good for economic development, especially for struggling economies such as Mexico.