The America’s-Brief Outline Conquest Geography Culture Economies Politics

History Who? When? Why? Result?

Columbus and Others Downfall of ancient civilizations-Why? Aztec-Cortes Inca-Pizzaro Mayan-?

What can you see?

Environment Incredible geographic and climatic diversity. Why? Many degrees of Latitude Rainforests, coastal deserts, mountains to fertile plains Desert heat, steaming humidity to frigid cold gales of the Tierra del Fuego 10-15% of Mexico’s land can be used to grow crops, BUT, unpredictable weather, natural disasters diminishes that % by half.

Mexico City Founded in a valley, surrounded by mountains Poor air quality Why?

Changing Peoples Several influences in Latin American history and culture. Nature Earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, landslides… What interests you? –Mexico City ’s of people died. –Hurricane Frances?? Regionalism Topography has spawned many civil wars and has made national integration difficult

Cultural change… English words common Change in eating habits TV, Antenna’s Siesta for most, a thing of the past! Coffee break Happy Hour Quick lunch replaces large traditional meals Symbols of success

Elite Society Culturally ‘white’ dominate Indians seen as unimportant Wealth status and good blood are keys to the elite membership

Disadvantaged Society Attracted to cities Place of opportunity Search for a better life-Migration, cross border? Edge of poverty and end of cities What are these called?

Indigenous Traditions Local visions oriented toward village and family No national identity-not Guatemalan Firmly tied to traditional beliefs and values Resist modernization and governments programs and policies

Economies and Globalization Fragile economies due to: Foreign Debt Inflation Currency devaluation Recession Natural disasters Civil wars

“The violence of the land is matched by the violence of the peoples, as they fight for something as noble as justice or human rights, or as ignoble as political power or self promotion”- Discuss…