Mexico’s Geography
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Transcript of Mexico’s Geography
Mexico’s Geography
Mexico
A glimpse• 112.4 million people▫ 60% mestizo ▫ 30% indigenous▫ 10% Caucasians/European descent
• Population density twice that of the U.S.• Area 1/5 the size of the U.S.• Predominantly urban (75% of the pop.)• Cities are growing as work cannot be found
in countryside• Most people can read and write• Sanitation, communication, and electricity
are available almost anywhere• Modern health facilities• Regional diversity
What do you see? – The North
North continued
What do you see? – The Central
What do you see? – The South
South continued
The North• A frontier region comparable to
the U.S. West ▫ old and new▫ environmental issues▫ water resources
• Philosophies heavily influenced by the U.S. – particularly individualism
• Big on import and export business• Prefer private enterprise to state
ownership• Complain about excessive state
interference• It is wealthier than the rest of the
country
The Central• View themselves as “urbane
and cosmopolitan”• See northerners as
barbarians and “rough around the edges”
• Support state action within economy and social institutions
• Many work for the state• Big on heavy industry• Nearly 25% of the
population lives in Mexico City (~20.4 million people)
The South
• Agrarian• High concentration of indigenous peoples• Live in traditional villages• Practice communal farming (ejidos)• Reject private ownership of land• Fight to maintain control of local governments• Rain forest and ancient ruins attract tourists
Final Notes• Geography has historically made
communication and transportation difficult
• Infrastructure development is incredibly expensive
• Soil erosion and desertification are growing problems
• Whites (Caucasians and “white mestizos”) have a better chance of going to college, getting a job, making money, and having a nice home.
• Mexicans and Indians have a high risk of infant mortality, malnutrition, poverty, low-paying jobs, and unemployment.