You are correct! New Mexico has a varied climate primarily because of its physical features that divide the land into different regions. These physical features include mountains, plateaus, and deserts. The state experiences a range of temperatures and precipitation patterns due to these geographical variations. The southern portion of the state, for example, is closer to the Mexican desert, which contributes to a drier and warmer climate. In contrast, the northern and high-elevation regions, such as the Rocky Mountains, have cooler temperatures and receive more precipitation. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.