Chapter 10 Notes Human Geography of Latin America- A Blending of Cultures

Section 1- Mexico Several ancient societies played a major role in Mexican society including the …

Section 1- Mexico The Olmec- –Existed between 1200 BC- 300 BC –Location- Swampy lowland of Southern Mexico –Inventions & Accomplishments: Large planned cities Huge, pyramids shaped stone temples Highly organized government Hieroglyphic writing Counting system Calendar

Section 1- Mexico Mayans- –Years in existence: AD –Location: Tropical highlands of Central America & Yucatan Peninsula –Inventions/Accomplishments: Elaborate irrigations system Organized independent city states Cities were religious centers Polytheistic Precise Calendar Numbering system that included zero No one knows why they began to abandon their cities in the 800’s

Section 1- Mexico Aztec –Years in existence: AD –Location: South Mexico –Inventions/Accomplishments Conquered peoples were forced to pay tribute to central government Montezuma greatest ruler Military roads to the outposts from Capital Built causeways to connect island to mainland Sacrificing of POW’s!!! One of the new 7 wonders of the world Chichen Itza

Incas –Years of existence: AD –Location: Andes Mountains, Amazon Rainforest, From Ecuador to Chile & Argentina –Inventions/Accomplishments Government cared for sick & elderly by collecting taxes Dammed rivers to look for gold Invented the crowbar Brain surgery Treated Malaria No system of writing

Machu Picchu- Incan nobility retreat. –Most famous of the Incan ruins One of the new 7 wonders of the world Video

188 soldiers with 62 on horses were able to defeat an army of 90,000+ Incan soldiers, w/out losing a single soldier. How? –Spanish Steel & armor vs. clubs ? –Horses, 6,000 years? –Diseases (smallpox, influenza…)?

Section 1- Mexico Spanish Conquest- Hernando Cortes of Spain landed on the coast of Mexico in 1520 & proceeded to take over the Aztec empire with only a few thousand men. –How is this possible? God status Smallpox Steel armor & horses Catholicism Used native enemies

Section 1- Mexico Tenochtitlán- ancient capital of the Aztecs –Present day Mexico City –Conquered by Hernando Cortés

Section 1- Mexico Francisco Madero, Pancho Villa, & Emiliano Zapata – all famous revolutionaries –advocated taking land from rich landowners & giving it to peasants

Section 1- Mexico Culture- –Spanish speaking –Roman Catholic People –Native Indians of Mexico –Spanish who immigrated –Mestizo- people of mixed Spanish & Native American heritage

Section 1- Mexico Maquiladoras- factories in Mexico that assemble materials into finished products that are then exported, usually to U.S.

Section 1- Mexico NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)- includes Mexico, the U.S., & Canada –Countries can trade freely with one another and not be assessed a tariff –Hopes to create millions of jobs

Section 1- Mexico Many Mexicans work in the U.S. & send money back home to Mexico because they can make so much more money in U.S.

Bellwork Name the 4 ancient Latin American civilizations we have talked about.. In order of existence. –List one accomplishment of each What is ancient Mexico City? How were the Spanish so easily able to conquer the ancient peoples of Latin America? List 3 things.

Section 2: Central America & the Caribbean Central America forms an isthmus (a land bridge) between North & South America –Also divides two oceans –Attractive area for commerce

Cultural Hearth- place from which important ideas spread. –Origin of a major culture Mayans & Aztecs’ capitals are examples Section 2: Central America & the Caribbean

Christopher Columbus & 1492 –What did he find vs. what he thought he found? –Taino & sugar plantations? –African solution in Caribbean & Brazil –European influences in region

Section 2: Central America & the Caribbean Caribbean Colonies –Most are Spanish speaking & Roman Catholic

Panama Canal- cuts through the land bridge between North & South America & connects the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans Section 2: Central America & the Caribbean

Calypso- music genre that uses steel drums and guitars –Seen a lot on street corners

Section 2: Central America & the Caribbean Reggae- most songs deal with social problems, religion, & protest –Bob Marley is the most famous reggae artist

Informal Economy- in touristy areas there is a whole economy outside of official channels that is based on selling goods to tourists –Provides many jobs w/out protections Section 2: Central America & the Caribbean

Section 3: Spanish-Speaking South America All of the nations of South America speak Spanish except Brazil

Section 3: Spanish-Speaking South America Governments of South America since 1800’s –Oligarchy- means rule by the few –Military Rule

Section 3: Spanish-Speaking South America MERCOSUR- (stands for southern common market) allows member countries to trade freely with the other member countries w/out tariffs

Section 4: Brazil Brazil- most populous of the nations of South America Ronaldhino

Section 4: Brazil Treaty of Tordesillas- Division of South America by Spain & Portugal. –All land to the West of the line belonged to Spain & all land to the East of the line belonged to Portugal –1494 –Why did the Pope step in?

Section 4: Brazil Brazil’s population is concentrated along the eastern coast, why?

Section 4: Brazil Brazil- –Speak Portuguese –Largest Catholic Population in the world Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio De Janeiro One of the new 7 wonders of the world

Section 4: Brazil Brazilian Architecture- –Brasìlia- capital of Brazil Created in 1957 to open the interior of Brazil

Section 4: Brazil Growing economic power with an abundance of natural resources

Section 4: Brazil Carnival- huge celebration right before Lent, with costumes, masks, & partying –Samba- most popular type of music in Brazil

Section 4: Brazil Capoeira- Brazilian martial art & dance form

Section 4: Brazil Favelas- very poor slums of the big cities –Found on hillsides of the cities –Caused by widening gap between rich & poor