Instructions

• Anything written in yellow (SLOW down and pay attention) is useful information. You should write it in your notes IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

• Anything in red (STOP and pay close attention) is critical information and should be copied exactly.

• Anything in green (GO on to the next point) you do not have to write.

The Maya

• Historians first believed the Maya were peaceful and had a perfect society.

• They were the most advanced people in the Western Hemisphere.

• Now historians are questioning their thoughts.

Some info

Geography

• Latin America: Mexico, Central and South America.

• Volcanic ash makes the land good for farming.

• South America features huge mountains and huge rivers.

• Some areas flood while others suffer drought.

Where were the Mayans?

Geography

• The Mayans lived on the southern tip of Mexico and into central America.

• The land was heavily covered in rain forests.

• This provided some advantages to the Maya but also some challenges.

• Good land for farming.

• Plenty of water.

• Lots and lots of trees for wood.

• Not much room for it though.

• Usually, too much water!

• Doesn’t leave much room for buildings.

Adaptations

• They did two main things to make their environment better.• Slash and burn – cutting down

and burning trees to clear room.• Terracing – cutting “stairs” into

hills to make more flat land. (also called terrace farming)