Mexico

Land

• Mexico forms part of a land bridge

• At Mexico’s narrowest point, only 140 miles of land separate the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Peninsula’s

• Baja California along the west coast.

• Yucatan Peninsula along the east coast.

• Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea bordering its shores.

Sierra Madre

• Sierra Madre Occidental: mountain range on the west coast

• Sierra Madre Oriental: mountain range in eastern Mexico

• Sierra Madre del Sur: in southwestern Mexico

Popocatepetl

Popocatepetl

Earthquake of 1985

Mexico City – 8.1

The Plateau of Mexico

• Located in the center of Mexico

• North: deserts and grassy plains

• Center: flat valleys, most of Mexico’s people

• South: snowcapped mountains

Coastal Lowlands

• Pacific Coastal Plains: hot deserts (north), farming and ranching (south).

• Gulf Coastal Plains: more rain and fertile soil for growing crops and raising animals.

Climates

• Latitude: location north or south of the Equator

• Altitude: height above sea level

Altitude Zones

Tierra Fria: “cold land”

Tierra Templada: “temperate land”

Tierra Caliente: “ hot land”

Economy

• Northern Region

• Central Region

• Southern Region

Northern Mexico

• Dry and rocky

• Vaqueros or cowhands

• Maquiladoras: factories that assemble parts made in other countries

Central Mexico

• More than ½ of Mexico’s population lives in Central Mexico

• Fertile soils from the volcanoes allows for good farming and ranching

Southern Mexico

• Poorest economic region

• Subsistence farms: farmers grow enough food for their family

• Plantations: large farms that grow bananas or sugarcane

Native American Civilizations

• The Maya

– Built huge stone temples in the shape of pyramids with steps

– Developed hieroglyphics

– Decorated temples and tombs with murals

Mayan Hieroglyphics

Mayan Murals

Native American Civilizations

• The Aztec

– Mexico City, stands on the ancient site of Tenochtitlan, once the Aztec capital

– Tenochtitlan was originally built on two islands in the middle of Lake Texcoco

Spanish Mexico

• In 1519 Hernan Cortes defeated the Aztec

• Spain made Mexico a colony

• Spanish settlers raise cattle on large ranches called haciendas

Today’s Cultures

• 60% of Mexicans consider themselves mestizos.

• 30% are Native American

• 10% are descended from Europeans, especially Spaniards

Independence

• Mexico fought and won their independence in 1821

• In 1846, Mexico gave up claims to TX, CA, UT, NV, and parts of CO, WY, AZ, & NM

Government

• Mexico has a federal republic government

Cities & Villages

• Plazas: public squares located in the center of the cities

• Spanish architecture and modern buildings

• Many homes are made of adobe: sun-dried clay bricks.

Mexican Culture: Food

• Food: rich blend of flavors

• Corn, chocolate, tomatoes, and chilies come from Native American foods

• Spanish brought beer, chicken, cheese, and olive oil

Celebrations

• Celebrations, or fiestas, can include parades, fireworks, music, and dancing

• Mariachi bands play instruments such as violin, guitar, horn, and bass

• Rhythms and singing of Latino bands

Mariachi Bands

Latino Bands

Holidays

• National:

– Independence Day (09/16)

– Cinco de Mayo (May 5)

• Religious:

– Day of the Dead

Independence Day

Cinco de Mayo

Day of the Dead

Today’s Economy

• Ranks in the top 12 in the world

• Industrialized relying less on farming and more on manufacturing

• Service industries have grown

Challenges

• Population growth

– Some Mexicans become migrant workers:people who travel from place to place when extra workers are needed to plant or harvest crops

– Many legally and illegally come to the US

Challenges

• Foreign Investment & Debt

• Pollution

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