After describing the extent of Moroni's fortifications, Mormon apparently describes the extent of Nephite possessions: "the Nephites possessing all the land northward, yea, even all the land which was northward of the land Bountiful, according to their pleasure" (Alma 50:11). This phrase implies that at least some, if not "all," of the land northward was not only known to the Nephites, but "possessed." One might wonder how far north the term "all" implies. One might also wonder to what extent this meant Nephite political and cultural control.
Assuming a Mesoamerican setting, the Nephites conveniently claimed the coastal area along the Gulf of Mexico as their territory, as apparently it had not been reoccupied (or controlled) to a great extent since the great Jaredite (Olmec) destruction. According to Joseph Allen, a good possibility also exists that sites like Monte Alban in the state of Oaxaca were controlled by the 1st century B.C. Nephites. Monte Alban manifests a minority civilization that gained control during this time period. Additionally, according to Allen's theory, the Nephites would have extended their influence into the Peten region and the country of Belize. [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary on Alma 63:4-5]