Discover Mexico: Geography, History, and Culture

1. Introduction Chapter Introduction This chapter will introduce you to Mexico. You will learn all about the region’s geography, history, and culture. Section 1: Chapter Atlas Section 2: History of Mexico Section 3: Mexico Today

2. myStory Carolina’s Story Where does Carolina live during the week? How will high school graduation set Carolina apart from the rest of her family?

3. myStory Carolina’s Story What similarities and differences do you see between Carolina’s life and that of American students?

4. myStory Carolina’s Story What kind of town is San Nicolas de Guadalupe?

5. myStory Carolina’s Story Why does Carolina think it is important to speak Mazahua? How does Carolina help out at home?

6. Chapter Atlas How much does geography shape a country?

7. Chapter Atlas What have you done today that required oil, gas, or electricity?

8. Chapter Atlas Academic Vocabulary • collapse - v.to crumble or fall • The damaged building was about to collapse. • inadequate - adj. not sufficient or suitable • The food was inadequate for so many people.

9. Chapter Atlas Key Ideas There are several landform regions in Mexico. • Mexico’s climate varies from arid to semiarid in most areas, which limits agriculture. Petroleum, hydroelectric power, and mining are important parts of the Mexican economy.

10. Chapter Atlas Key Terms • sinkhole - depression on the surface of the land caused by the collapse of a cave roof • altitude - height above sea level

11. Chapter Atlas Key Terms • hydroelectric power - the power produced by water-driven turbines • irrigate - to supply water

12. Chapter Atlas What are some important places to know in Mexico? • Sierra Madre Occidental • Mexican Plateau • Yucatán Peninsula • Rio Grande

13. Chapter Atlas Mexico: Outline Map

14. Chapter Atlas How would you describe Mexico?

15. Chapter Atlas Mexico: Climate Baja California and Northern Mexico are very dry. The southern part of Mexico receives more rain than the north. Higher elevations have cooler temperatures.

16. Chapter Atlas Mexican Farmland Only about one-fifth of Mexico’s land is actually suitable for farming. Why?

17. Chapter Atlas Mexico: Land Resources Mexico produces more silver than anywhere else in the world. Mexico’s most important natural resource is petroleum.

18. Chapter Atlas Mexico: Land Resources One-sixth of the nation’s electricity comes from hydroelectric power. Baja California supports a large fishing industry.

19. Chapter Atlas Environmental Impact About three quarters of the people in Mexico now live in cities. Pollution from the spread of industry and the growth of these cities is becoming a major problem.

20. Chapter Atlas What conditions are common in cities along Mexico’s northern border?

21. Chapter Atlas How much does geography shape a country?

22. History How has the past shaped the community where you live?

23. History Academic Vocabulary • convert - v.to cause someone to adopt a different religionPriests tried to convert the native people to Catholicism. • estate - n. a large piece of land or property She lived on the largest estate in Italy.

24. History Key Ideas Mexico’s original people—the Olmecs, Maya, and Aztecs—settled in the area • surrounding and including today’s Mexico City. Enlightenment ideas played a part in Mexico’s independence from Spain, similar to the United States in its fight for independence.

25. History Key Ideas Mexico has sometimes struggled to provide opportunities for all of its citizens, despite economic growth.

26. History Key Terms • maize - corn • astronomy - the study of the stars and planets • aqueduct - channel that moves water over a long distance

27. History Key Terms • conquistador - Spanish soldier-explorer • Mexican Revolution - armed rebellion in which the Mexican people fought for political and social reform

28. History Olmec Rule Around 1500 B.C., the Olmec civilization arose along Mexico’s gulf coast. They developed a political system, a religion, and a system of writing. They traded with nearby peoples.

29. History Draw Conclusions: What indicates that the Olmec civilization was advanced?

30. History Maya Civilization The Maya emerged after the Olmecs as the dominant Mexican civilization. They recorded the history of their rulers, and excelled at astronomy. Maya civilization declined around A.D. 900.

31. History Emergence of the Aztecs In the 1400s the Aztecs arose and built their capital, Tenochtitlàn, on an island in the middle of a lake. They were skilled farmers, and built aqueducts to bring water to the capital.

32. History Spanish Rule In 1519 Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortés landed in Mexico. Cortés destroyed Tenochtitlàn and built Mexico city in its place. Under Spanish rule, the lives of native peoples changed.

33. History Cause and Effect What effects did the arrival of Cortes have on the Aztec Empire?

34. History Separating From Spain In 1821 Mexico won independence from Spain. Political corruption sparked the Mexican Revolution in 1910. A constitution was declared in 1917, and fighting slowed.

35. History What did the Mexican Revolution hope to achieve?

36. History

37. Today What are some ways that family members help each other?

38. Today How does Mexico’s government resemble that of the United States?

39. Today Academic Vocabulary • dominate - v.to control or rule over The visitor tried to dominate the conversation. • dynamic - adj. active, or showing progressThe gymnast’s performance was dynamic.

40. Today Key Ideas Mexico has three branches of government. The Constitution of 1917 sets the framework for Mexico’s government. Much of Mexico’s wealth is concentrated within a small upper class. Light manufacturing, natural resources, trade, and tourism support Mexico’s economy.

41. Today Key Terms • Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) - political party that dominated Mexico’s government for much of the 1900s • National Action Party (PAN) - Mexican political party that took power in the 2000 presidential election

42. Today Key Terms • free market - economic market in which businesses operate with few governmental restrictions • remittance - money sent to another place

43. Today Mexican Government The government of Mexico has three branches, and is similar to that of the United States. • The legislative branch creates laws • The executive branch carries out the laws • The judicial branch interprets the laws

44. Today Political Parties in Mexico In 1929, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) gained control of Mexico’s government. Every six years, the president would name another PRI member to succeed him. In 2000, Vincente Fox of the National Action Party (PAN) became president.

45. Today Mexican Culture Mexico has a culture that blends, or mixes, traditions. The culture combines Spanish and Native American traditions. About three quarters of people practice the Roman Catholic faith.

46. Today Mexico’s Economy In the late 1900s, leaders adopted free market ideas. • The result was more economic growth and more jobs • Trade with the United States has led to a growing Mexican economy

47. Today Mexico’s Workers Most Mexicans work in the service industry. About one quarter of Mexicans labor in factories. Some of Mexico’s poor travel north to the United States to find jobs.

48. Today Trade With Other Countries Trade has become very important to Mexico’s economy. Mexico now has free trade agreements with more than forty other countries.

49. Today How does Mexico benefit from NAFTA?

50. Today Providing Jobs Growing trade has led to more jobs in Mexico. However, the agricultural industry has struggled as imports from the United States are cheaper than foods grown in Mexico. Mexico’s economy is also very dependent on the United States.