Mexico Daily Life

2.1 Daily Life A blend of traditional and modern cultures Ethnicity – Native American – Spanish – Mestizos Language – 9 out of 10 Mexicans speak Spanish( official language) – More than 50 native languages

Daily life Religion – 90 % Roman Catholic – Many practice traditional religions – Mixed religious practices- Day of the Dead Arts – Native and European cultures blended Diego Rivera David Siqueiros

Daily Life Architecture – Mexico has preserved Aztec and Maya art, artifacts and architecture – Spanish influence can be seen at National palace and many churches. – Modern buildings mostly in large cities- Lighthouse of Commerce in Monterrey Food – Staple foods like corn, beans, squash and tortillas – Traditional large midday meal must now fit into modern society

2.2 Mexico’s Economy Farming – Some large scale operation, but mostly subsistence farming Nationalized industry- 1900s – Owned by government – Oil, banking, transportation, and telecommunications Free enterprise- 1980s – Many industries sold to private or foreign investors – Better wages, increased production and the passing of NAFTA

Economic sectors Agriculture produces tropical fruits, coffee, sugar cane, and cotton Natural resources exported are silver and oil Manufacturing – includes cars, food processing, and metal products. – Foreign companies own – Maquiladoras- parts shipped in and put together in Mexico.

Economy Service industries such as banking, transportation and tourism Economic challenges – High unemployment – Low wages in nationalized industries – Out sourcing jobs to other countries

2.3 Reaching Toward Democracy Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) – – Dominated politics in Mexico – Common people did not have a choice in elections Multi Party Democracy 1990 – Present – Rebellion against PRI economic policies which hurt all poor people – Rival parties formed – 2000 – Vicente Fox becomes president, he is from a minority party – 2006 – Felipe Calderon elected using multi party system

Challenges to Mexico’s Democracy Illegal drug trade – Violence along U.S. border – Troops and drug cartels fight Zapatista Liberation Army – Control many Mexican states – Formed their own governments

Positive effects of Democracy Increased literacy rate Education- more children going to school Informed voters Public is better qualified for jobs