Chapter 6
Mexico
SS.7.G.2.1.1 Classify
physical and human
characteristics of places
and regions (Map work)
Mexico forms landbridge….
Landbridge- narrow
strip of land that joins
2 larger landmasses
Is it part of North America or
Central & South America?
Physical geographers- people who study
continents and lanmasses
Cultural geographers- people who study
Language, customs,
religion, & history
Both are correct… Mexico is Latin (Spanish-speaking)
country on the continent of North America
Location in Mexico’s culture
N.America closely tied to
makes it Latin and South
important America
Trading
partner to US
& Canada
Mexico Map
Popocatepetl or
“El Popo” volcano
Big explosion came
800 years ago….
Active today…
The OLI (Operational Land
Imager) on Landsat 8 captured an
image of one of the volcano’s
recent eruptions on October 25,
2024. Monitoring systems on that
day detected “a continuous
emission of water vapor, volcanic
gases, and ash,”
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/1535
19/popocatepetl-continues-to-grumble
“El Popo”
*volcano
*40 miles southeast of
Mexico
*Mexico is on border of “Ring of Fire” so
experiences many earthquakes
*2nd tallest volcano in N.Amer.; 26, 242 ft
(built on another volcano)
Video Clip (3:40 min): https://youtu.be/zaMz6n75-3o?feature=shared
Physical Regions of Mexico….
1. Plateau of 2. Coastal Lowland
Mexico Gulf Coastal Plain:
Pacific Coastal *more rain
Plain:
*areas of desert & *in north is desert *fertile soil
grassy plains & dry
*growing crops &
*crops grown *move south Raising animals
within moderate better soil & rainfall
climate
BOTH areas have
*ranching and TOURIST
farming DESTINATIONS
Land of many climates…..
Influenced by……
Tropic of Cancer (23 ½ N)
*South of this line have
warmer temperatures
*North of line warm
summer & cool winters
Altitude (height above sea level) affects temperatures
3 Altitude Zones
tierra caliente tierra tierra fria
templada
“hot land” “temperate “cold land”
land”
(moderate)
*Baja California & Northern
Mexico little rainfall
*Hurricanes affect both
coasts
E Economic Regions
o
Mexico’s GDP
Mexico Economic Regions:
Northern: Due to desert conditions….cattle ranching &
mining
-vaqueros (Mexican cowhand)
-charros (cowboys)
Maquiladoras-factories to assemble parts made
in other countries
People have flocked to cities for work, near border of
US/Mexico
Effect: damage of environment, pollution & dangers of
health & safety of workers
Maquiladoras Video Clip:
https://youtu.be/sgrXEk1FAP8?feature=shared
1. The Bracero Program in 1942 was between which 2 Mexico and United States.
countries?
2. What did this allow for Mexicans during WWII? To come to the United States for jobs.
3. By the 1960’s the U.S. Labor Union didn’t like this Because the United States returning citizens
program. Why?
wanted jobs.
4. In response the program ended. Mexico did start a new 20 kilometers 12 1/2 miles
program to grow border cities and help those unemployed
returning to Mexico. These economic zones allowed for
production sharing and labor was cheaper in Mexico.
Before 1972 these maquiladoras had to be located how
many miles from the U.S.?
Twin plants were created a capital one in the U.S. and a 539-2,000+ maquiladoras
labor-intensive one in Mexico. Between 1980-1995 how
much growth occurred in the number of maquiladoras?
By 1985 maquiladoras overtook tourism and in 1996 Oil
became 2nd largest in the economy behind what?
Mexico Economic Regions:
Central:
*1/2 of Mexico population lives here due to high elevation & mild
climate
*fertile soil (created by volcanoes)
*Big cities:Mexico City & Guadalajara
MEXICO CITY POPULATION: 22.5 MILLION
https://worldpopulationreview.com/cities/mexico/mexico-city
Mexico City
Mexico
City & *6th largest city in the
world
Greater *Occupies 573 sq.
Mexico miles
City *Pop. Density =
16,000 people/sq. mile
2016…..75% of Mexico
*Greater Mexico City
population (10 million) live
in municipalities formed by Federal
District or 60
worldpopulationreview.com
municipalities
Mexico Economic Regions:
Southern:
*Poorest economic region
*tall mountains lead to poor soil
*subsistence farming-small plots where farmers
grow only enough food to feed families
*Coastal lowlands…good soil and rain for
sugarcane, bananas & plantations
*Lots of tourists to Resort cities (ex: Cancun)
*Changed from less on
Mexico’s farming to industrialized
(manufacturing/factories)
Economy *Oil producing & service
TODAY…. industries (provide service
not product like banking &
tourism)
SS.7.C.2.1.2 Evaluate how
cooperation and conflict among
people around the world have
contributed to political, economic
and social events and situations.
(NAFTA/USMCA)
NAFTA now replaced with USMCA……
*trade among 3 countries
free of tariffs (special taxes)
*in 2020 replaced with
United
States-Mexico-Canada
Agreement
NAFTA changed to United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) on July 1, 2020
https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/united-states-mexico-canada-agreement
–article from federal gov’t that highlights changes and show other FTA with other countries around
the world
SS.7.H.1.1.1 Analyze the impact
of people, events, and ideas,
including various cultures, ethnic
groups, on the world (Aztecs &
Mayans)
Mexico’s History….
Olmecs Mayans Aztecs
Contributions: Contributions:
Contributions:
*365 day calendar
*jewelry made of *chinampas
jade *built temples (floating gardens)
*first to grow
*developed *Mexico flag today
maize
hieroglyphics contain eagle and
*large drainage
snake form Aztec
systems for *had complex number beginning
rainwater system
*universal education
*decorated temples
system
with murals
Mexican Independence
-resented Spanish rule
-Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo
led army of peasants in revolt
-Hidalgo executed but
independencee in 1821
*1846 Mexico fought US for
territory
*resulted in losing land of Texas,
California, Utah, and Nevada
Mexican Revolution
*1910 Mexican peasants revolted
over power and wealth of the rich, army
officers & Catholic Church
*led by Emiliano Zapata who wanted to give to the poor
“the lands, woods, and water that the landlords or bosses
have taken from us”
*seized large haciendas (large ranches) & divided land
among the poor
