Chapter 10 Introduction to Mexico

1. Chapter 10Introduction to Mexico Bell Work: Grab Netbook/Login Get Sheets, Fill in map 9b

2. Objectives What are the main physical characteristics that affect daily life in Mexico’s Heartland region How do Mexico’s four coastal plains regions differ? Concepts Plateau Peninsula Irrigation Sinkhole Ch. 10.1 Geography of Mexico

3. What are the main physical characteristics that affect daily life in Mexico’s Heartland region • Physical Characteristics • Mountain Ranges dominate Mexican Terrain • Sierra Madre Ranges • Occidental (western coast) • Oriental (eastern coast) • Central Plateau lies in between Mountain ranges • Coastal Plains Regions make up areas b.t. Mountains and coasts.

4. What are the main physical characteristics that affect daily life in Mexico’s Heartland region • Heartland Region • Most populous region • Made up of large cities on the southern part of Central Plateau • 4/5s of countries people live here • Most Important Region • Has some of Mexico’s best farmland • Richest soils and plentiful rainfall

5. What are the main physical characteristics that affect daily life in Mexico’s Heartland region • Natural hazards • Central Region is geologically unstable • Located at intersection of four tectonic plates • N.American Plate, Caribbean Plate, Pacific Plate, and Cocos Plate • Produces jagged mountain ranges, earthquakes, and some active volcanoes • Climate Factors • Climate helps even out the geological dangers of the region • Sierra Madres block rainfall coming from the ocean in some places, and allows moist ocean winds to bring rain to lower end of plateau • Elevation also helps keep a moderate climate year round, esp. in Mexico City • 74 degrees in July and 70 degrees in January help attract people to the city. 10.1

6. How do Mexico’s Four Coastal Plains regions differ? • Northern Pacific Coast • Characteristics • Dry, Hot, and ________-________ • One of the wider coastal regions • __________ is one of Mexico’s fastest growing cities • Despite Arid climate has some of Mexico’s best farmland • Due to good irrigation, from dams and reservoirs from 3 major rivers • Colorado, Sonora, and Yaqui • Wheat, Cotton among major crops • Southern Pacific Coast • Characteristics • Edged by Sierra Madre del Sur • Beautiful natural setting and __________ climate make it a great area for • tourism • Sunny, wave washed beaches of Acapulco, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta draw thousands every year. Sparsely- Populated Tijuana Tropical 10.1

7. How do Mexico’s Four Coastal Plains regions differ? • Gulf Coastal Plains • Characteristics • One of wider plains regions • Vitally important to Mexico’s _________ • Along the plain and off-shore lies vast deposits of __________ and ______ gas • Has made the Gulf coastal plain one of world’s major ____ ____________. • Yucatan Peninsula • Characteristics • Area is generally flat (diff. than most of Mexico) • Dotted w/ a bedrock of porous __________ which leads to • Sinkholes when limestone underneath is dissolved • Sparsely populated • ________= largest city w/ over 500,000 people • Most people of region are in the service industry of ________ • Supported by beautiful Caribbean coastline, and improvement of conditions for tourists • Ancient Mayan ruins attracts many tourists/archaeologists each year economy petroleum natural Oil- producers limestone Merida tourism 10.1

8. Plateau • Area of High Flat-land 10.1

9. Peninsula • Strip of land that “juts” out into the ocean 10.1

10. Irrigation • The watering of farm land with water drawn from reservoirs or rivers 10.1

11. Sinkhole • Hole formed when limestone is dissolved, cause the land above to collapse 10.1

12. Bell Work • Get notes and be ready right away • Schedule • Quick Notes • Podcast Partner Hands on Geography • Podcast Project Work Time

13. Hacienda Land redistribution Ejido Subsistence farming Latifundio Cash Crop Migrant Worker NAFTA Maquiladora Chapter 10 Section 2 Key Terms

14. Chapter 10 Section 2 • Objectives • How did Mexico become a Spanish colony? • What were key political events in the development of democracy in Mexico? • What social problems face Mexico today? • What are the main characteristics of the Mexican Economy?

15. How did Mexico become a Spanish colony? • Spanish Conquest • 1519: Hernan Cortes marched into Tenochtitlan • Conquistadors conquer Aztec empire within two years. • Spanish go on to conquer remaining Mexico • Called “New Spain” New Spain • New Spain • Four Main Social Classes • Life in “New Spain” followed these social lines for 300 years • Peninsulares: Spanish born held highest ranks • Criollos: Spanish descent born in Americas (2nd in line) • Mestizos: Mixed Spanish/Indian • Indians: Native people ranked lowest • Native Americans provided labor on Haciendas ran by Conquistadors • Slave like conditions, with low wages and constant debt. 102 Obj.’s

16. What were key political events in the development of democracy in Mexico? • Civil War erupts • Criollos angry at the privileged Peninsulares • Spanish priest Miguel Hidalgo calls for rebellion • By 1821: Independent nation of Mexico is established • Political Unrest • For the next 100 years Mexico experiences political unrest • Dictators ruled for much of 1800s after independence • End of 1800s saw Mexico become more modernized • Increase in foreign capital and industry led to: • RRs built, ranches expanded, and rich-poor gap widened • Mexican Revolution • Peasants and Middle-class Mexicans rebelled against dictators and land owners • Ended in 1920 with a new president and constitution • Government promising “Land, bread, and justice for all” • Democracy continues today with an elected president and congress 102 Obj.’s

17. What social problems face Mexico today? • Major root of problems lie in fact that Small part of population control majority of wealth • Rural Life • Majority of countryside population in agriculture • Used to be est.d in Hacienda’s which further widened Rich to poor gap • Government wanted to create jobs/opportunities • Land redistribution • Divided up Hacienda’s among landless peasants • Many in the form of Ejidos (farmland communities) • Problems • 3-4 Million rural Mexican families have neither land nor work opportunities. • Leads to landless, jobless peasants to become migrant workers 102 Obj.’s

18. What social problems face Mexico today? • Urban Life • Heart of modern Mexican culture • Over 75% of population live in urban areas • Mexico City is one of largest urban areas in the world • Offers more job/education opportunities • Majority of urban dwellers are very poor • Increasing middle-class= government workers, professionals and business owners

19. What are the main characteristics of the Mexican Economy? • NAFTA: cut trade barriers in N. America paved way for Mexico to pursue world trade • Increasing trade meant the increase of industry and production • Major Industries • Two most important industries are in oil and tourism • Oil • Great petroleum reserves lie off Gulf Coast • Much of revenue depends on oil prices • Tourism • Climate, scenery, and tropical beaches make resort cities great sources of income for the nation • Also important b/c it doesn’t damage the environment much like industry has in Mexico City • Border Industries • Bolster Mexican economy by placing factories along U.S. borders for assembly and selling of goods to the U.S. 102 Obj.’s

20. Hacienda • Large, Spanish owned estate in the Americas, often run as a farm or cattle ranch. 10.2 Terms

21. Land Redistribution • Large, Spanish owned estate in the Americas, often run as a farm or cattle ranch. 10.2 Terms

22. Ejido • Farmland owned collectively by members of a rural community 10.2 Terms

23. Subsistence Farming • Farming that provides only enough for the needs of a family or a village. 10.2 Terms

24. Latifundio • A large commercial owned by a private individual or a farming company 10.2 Terms

25. Cash Crop • Farm crop grown for sale and profit 10.2 Terms

26. Migrant Worker • Worker who travels from place to place, working where extra work is needed to cultivate or harvest crops. 10.2 Terms

27. NAFTA • Agreement that phased out trade barriers among the U.S., Canada, and Mexico 10.2 Terms

28. Maquiladora • Factory in Mexico, along the U.S. border, that assembles goods for export. 10.2 Terms