Warm-Up What is the name of the large chain of mountains in Mexico? Sierra Madre Mountains

Standard: SS6G3.a. Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of Mexico and Venezuela affect where people live and how they trade. Opening: Elevation of Mexico City Mexico Video Clip Learning Target: Today I’m learning how Mexico and Venezuela are similar because it will help me compare the two countries. Work Session: Mexico and Venezuela notes

Opening: Use the map key to help you describe the landscape where Mexico City is located.

Mexico City is high, over 6,000 feet and is surrounded by mountains. Why would people choose to settle here??? This area has many valleys that used to have lakes. The valleys have very fertile land to grow crops.

Science Connection: Describe the tectonic activity that has created the Sierra Madre Mountains. 1.Divergent boundary between Cocos and Pacific Plates. 2.Transform boundary between Pacific Plate and N. American Plate.

Mexico’s Location (If it’s written in YELLOW, write it down. Southern border of the U.S. Coastline borders: Pacific Ocean Gulf of Mexico Caribbean Sea Northern most country of Latin America

Physical Features Mexican Plateau Covers much of the central part of the nation. High elevation, flat area Sierra Madre Mountains Two long mountain chains flank (border) the plateau Sonoran & Chihuahua Deserts (northern Mexico) Trivia: The land in the Mexican Plateau is very soft; many older buildings are sinking. Frequent earthquake and volcanic activity.

Mexico’s Climate Hot and dry (Northern Mexico) Close to equator – warm, tropical air Cool and wet (Southern Mexico) Mexican Plateau is higher in elevation – cooler Hurricanes dump water in summer Only 12% of the soil is arable (fertile, able to grow crops) Most land is too dry & rugged to grow crops.

Where do most of the people live in Mexico? Explain your answer. Southern Mexico – in the Mexican Plateau Higher elevation – cooler temperature Hurricanes – heavier rainfall 12, Student in seat number 12, please answer the question.

What are two reasons that Mexico has many different climate areas? Elevation The large size of the country 22, Student in seat number 22, please answer the question.

Mexico’s Natural Resources Resources affect where people live and determine what industries they develop. Oil World’s Major producer of oil

Natural gas Silver Copper Gold Lead Zinc Timber Coffee/fruits/vegetables More natural resources

Mexico’s Trade U.S. is main trading partner Shares border – easy access Seaports More than Venezuela

Mexico’s Population 111 million people live in Mexico 20% of population live in Mexico City 2 nd most populated country in Latin America 77% urban 23% rural Mexico City

Mexico’s Environmental Issues Oil Pollution Problem: Production has destroyed rainforests Polluted both land and water Solution: State-owned oil company helps people who have lost their jobs due to pollution. Government is working to prevent oil pollution in the future.

Mexico’s Environmental Issues (continued) Air Pollution Problem: Largest populated city in the world 18 million people live there Location Problem: High elevation – less oxygen Acid Rain Problem: Pollutants from factories create health problems, hurts plants, soil, buildings

Mexico’s Environmental Issues (continued) Solution: City promotes public transportation (Buses and subways) Restricts car use Workshops to teach people about environmental issues

, Student in seat number 30, please answer the question. Why do most people live in Mexico City? Located in the Mexican Plateau where there is arable soil and milder temperatures.

, Student in seat number 6, please answer the question. Name the three most common environmental issues in Mexico. Oil Pollution Air Pollution Acid Rain

, Student in seat number 18, please answer the question. What is one way Mexico is trying to solve the problem of air pollution in Mexico City? Encouraging people to use public transportation.

Venezuela Angel Falls, tallest waterfall in the world.

Venezuela’s Location Northeast part of S. America Coastline borders Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean Located north of the equator

Physical Features Andes Mountains Northern/Central Plains Guiana Highland Southeastern Large, unexplored area Angel Falls 12 times larger than Niagara Falls Located in Guiana Highlands Orinoco River 3 rd largest river in S. Amer.

Venezuela’s Climate Hot, dry, tropical climate Cooler in the mountains

Resources affect where people live and determine what industries they develop. Venezuela Natural Resources Petroleum 1940's to 1970 – world’s largest exporter Main exporter to U.S Found near Orinoco River Basin and coastline

Venezuela Resources (continued) Natural Gas Bauxite (Aluminum) Gold Diamonds Iron Ore Hydroelectric power Nickel

Venezuela's Trade Panama Canal Provides shortcut to Pacific Ocean for trade with Asian countries Seaports (Less than Mexico)

Venezuela's Population 28 million people Most people live in Northern Highlands Coastal Cities 88% urban 12% rural

Venezuela's Environmental Issues Deforestation of Rain Forest Creates land and sewage pollution Oil Pollution People are motivated to continue producing and using oil because of the money. Water Pollution Much of the water is unfit to drink due to land, oil, and sewage pollution Air Pollution CO 2 emissions (worst in Latin America)

Solution: A variety of organizations are requesting use of renewable resources, clean-up and prevention of pollution. Government installed a water treatment plant but it needs to be repaired. People are becoming aware of the issues but are unable to do much because of the corrupted government and oil companies.

, Student in seat number 2, please answer the question. Why do most people live along the coastline in Venezuela? Industry - Many ports along the coast -Mining for natural resources -Cooler climate

Closing: Compare Mexico to Venezuela with regard to: Location Climate Natural Resources Population Identify 3 ways they are similar Identify 2 ways they are different