Mexico

Geography According to Cortes, a crumpled piece According to Cortes, a crumpled piece of paper Mountains dominate Mountains dominate

Sierra Madre Occidental Largest mountain range Largest mountain range Runs along western coast Runs along western coast

Sierra Madre Oriental Runs parallel to the east coast Runs parallel to the east coast

Peninsula Baja California is mostly mountainous desert Baja California is mostly mountainous desert Home to the Baja 500 Home to the Baja 500 Areas around these coasts are the widest Areas around these coasts are the widest Strip of land that juts out into the ocean; surrounded by water on 3 sides

Central Plateau Home to Mexico City Home to Mexico City Although it is in the tropics, the climate is NOT tropical due to high elevation Although it is in the tropics, the climate is NOT tropical due to high elevation Mild temperatures Mild temperatures Mexico City= 9 million people Mexico City= 9 million people New York= 8 million New York= 8 million Most of the population lives here Most of the population lives here Home to Mexico City

Mexican Independence Sneaky Spanish led by Cortes Sneaky Spanish led by Cortes 600 Spanish conquered a city of 60,000 Aztecs 600 Spanish conquered a city of 60,000 Aztecs Made allies of the Aztecs’ enemies Made allies of the Aztecs’ enemies Spanish rule for 300 years Spanish rule for 300 years

Spanish Mexico heirarchy Top level Top level Peninsulares: born in Spain Peninsulares: born in Spain Criollos: Spanish ancestry but born in Mexico Criollos: Spanish ancestry but born in Mexico Mestizos: Mixed Mestizos: Mixed Indians Indians Criollos became jealous of peninsulares Criollo priest calls for rebellion

Mexican democracy Similar to the United States Similar to the United States The main difference: Political power has historically been held by only one group: Institutional Revolutionary Party The main difference: Political power has historically been held by only one group: Institutional Revolutionary Party

Vocabulary Hacienda: Large, Spanish-owned ranches given by the king as a reward. Indian laborers were treated very poorly. Hacienda: Large, Spanish-owned ranches given by the king as a reward. Indian laborers were treated very poorly. NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement Key part: Only North American countries like U.S., Canada, Mexico Key part: Only North American countries like U.S., Canada, Mexico Positive effects: Positive effects: Increase in employment Increase in employment Worker skills have increased Worker skills have increased Better standard of living Better standard of living Latifundios: Commercial farms used to make money Ejidos: Owned collectively by members of the rural community, usually used for subsistence farming, or to grow only enough stuff to eat Sinkhole: Limestone dissolves, roof of a cavern collapses Migrant worker: Landless, jobless peasants who travel for work Negative effects: More pollution Workers not paid that well Cheaper goods