Chapter 6 Section 1 Mexico’s Land

A) The Land Mexico forms part of a land bridge between NA& SA. Pacific Ocean borders on the West. Gulf of Mexico borders to the East. Baja California Sur is a peninsula.

B) Land of the Shaken Earth Has rugged landscape (mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes) Why? Plates of earths crust collide for billions of years. Famous volcano (Popocatepetl) nicknamed “El Popo.” Country is called “land of the shaking earth.”

1) Mountains and Plateaus 3 major mountain ranges in Mexico. -Sierra Madre Occidental (runs N to S along western Mexico) -Sierra Madre Oriental (runs along eastern side) Sierra Madre del Sur (SW mexico.) The mountains surround the Plateau of Mexico which covers 40% of the country.

2) Coastal Lowlands Many of the countries longest rivers flow through the coastal lowlands. Rio Grande forms a border between US and Mexico. It empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

C) Climate Latitude and altitude affect Mexico’s climates. Mexico’s mountain ranges create 3 altitude zones. On the coastal plains it is “Hot land” (tierra caliente) very hot and humid all year. Dense rainforest are also located here.

Climate Con’t As you climb mountains the temperature becomes cooler or moderate. (tierra templada) Farmers grow variety of crops. At the top of mountains it is very cold (tierra fria) little or no plant life. Mexico’s mountain ranges create 3 altitude zones.

Mexico’s flag Colors of flag: Green, White, Red Middle of Mexico’s flag is a coat of arms. The coat of arms is a picture of an eagle sitting on a cactus eating a snake. Flag adopted in 1821

Mexico’s Economy *In the mid-1990’s the United States, Mexico and Canada approved a trade agreement called __________________.

ECONOMY Manufacturing and mining are vital to the economy. 20% of world’s silver is mined in Mexico Service industries (tourism,banking) strengthen Mexico’s economy. Rich in minerals, poor in fertile land. Only 11% of Mexico’s land can be farmed on. Why? (Mountains, Volcanoes, Deserts,Rainforests)

Silver Example of where they mine Silver in Mexico.

A) 3 Economic Regions 1) Central Mexico- Economic heart of the country. 60% of people live in this area Good conditions for agriculture Large Industrial cities (Mexico City,Guadalajara.) Mexico City is huge for this region 27 million people, center of Mexico’s gov’t.

Picture of Mexico City

2) The North Baja California and northern part of Plateau of Mexico. Farming is limited b/c of dry conditions. Grow cotton, fruits, cereals,vegetables Ranchers raise cattle,sheep,goats, and pigs. Ranching began in Mexico The U.S- Mexico border has experienced an increase in maquiladoras. Mine copper, silver, lead and zinc Lots of factories that assemble parts (ex) cars, computers, stereos.

Cars,Stereos,Computers Mexico has lots of factories that work on cars, computers, and stereo parts.

3) The South Southern edge of Mexico City to the Yucatan Peninsula. People are extremely poor. Subsistence farming (vocab word) is very common. Very rare are plantations where coffee and sugarcane is grown. Tourism is very important because of historical monuments and beautiful beaches.

Beautiful Beaches of Southern Mexico. Looks Like Florence KY Beautiful Beaches of Southern Mexico.

B) Economic Challenges Mexico is being industrialized (lots of factories) Problems are land, pollution, and finding jobs. 1) Pollution- Mountains block flow of air Cars and factories leave thick air, or smog-very bad to breathe Kids at school wear masks when on recess.

Remember Recess At recess in Mexico students have to wear masks because the air is so bad to breathe in.

Economic Challenges 2)Foreign Debt- To help its economy grow, Mexico borrowed money from foreign banks. 3) Jobs/Population- Mexico’s population is growing twice as fast as U.S. Can’t provide jobs for everybody Some people move to U.S. illegally to find jobs.