2. Land
• Mexico forms part of a land bridge
• At Mexico’s narrowest point, only 140
miles of land separate the Pacific Ocean
and the Gulf of Mexico.
3. Peninsula’s
• Baja California along the west coast.
• Yucatan Peninsula along the east coast.
• Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea
bordering its shores.
4. Sierra Madre
• Sierra Madre Occidental: mountain range
on the west coast
• Sierra Madre Oriental: mountain range in
eastern Mexico
• Sierra Madre del Sur: in southwestern
Mexico
9. The Plateau of Mexico
• Located in the center of Mexico
• North: deserts and grassy plains
• Center: flat valleys, most of Mexico’s
people
• South: snowcapped mountains
10. Coastal Lowlands
• Pacific Coastal Plains: hot deserts (north),
farming and ranching (south).
• Gulf Coastal Plains: more rain and fertile
soil for growing crops and raising animals.
14. Northern Mexico
• Dry and rocky
• Vaqueros or cowhands
• Maquiladoras: factories that assemble
parts made in other countries
15. Central Mexico
• More than ½ of Mexico’s population lives
in Central Mexico
• Fertile soils from the volcanoes allows for
good farming and ranching
16. Southern Mexico
• Poorest economic region
• Subsistence farms: farmers grow enough
food for their family
• Plantations: large farms that grow
bananas or sugarcane
17. Native American Civilizations
• The Maya
– Built huge stone temples in the shape of
pyramids with steps
– Developed hieroglyphics
– Decorated temples and tombs with murals
21. Native American Civilizations
• The Aztec
– Mexico City, stands on the ancient site of
Tenochtitlan, once the Aztec capital
– Tenochtitlan was originally built on two
islands in the middle of Lake Texcoco
22. Spanish Mexico
• In 1519 Hernan Cortes defeated the Aztec
• Spain made Mexico a colony
• Spanish settlers raise cattle on large
ranches called haciendas
23. Today’s Cultures
• 60% of Mexicans consider themselves
mestizos.
• 30% are Native American
• 10% are descended from Europeans,
especially Spaniards
24. Independence
• Mexico fought and won their
independence in 1821
• In 1846, Mexico gave up claims to TX, CA,
UT, NV, and parts of CO, WY, AZ, & NM
26. Cities & Villages
• Plazas: public squares located in the
center of the cities
• Spanish architecture and modern
buildings
• Many homes are made of adobe: sun-
dried clay bricks.
27. Mexican Culture: Food
• Food: rich blend of flavors
• Corn, chocolate, tomatoes, and chilies
come from Native American foods
• Spanish brought beer, chicken, cheese,
and olive oil
28. Celebrations
• Celebrations, or fiestas, can include
parades, fireworks, music, and dancing
• Mariachi bands play instruments such as
violin, guitar, horn, and bass
• Rhythms and singing of Latino bands
45. Today’s Economy
• Ranks in the top 12 in the world
• Industrialized relying less on farming and
more on manufacturing
• Service industries have grown
46. Challenges
• Population growth
– Some Mexicans become migrant workers:
people who travel from place to place when
extra workers are needed to plant or harvest
crops
– Many legally and illegally come to the US
