Mexico’s Natural Environment, History, and Culture

Key Terms Isthmus Sinkholes Conquistadores Haciendas Plaza Mestizos Dictator

Landforms Most of the country is made up of a rugged central plateau – Mexican Plateau Three great mountain ranges – Sierra Madre Oriental (east) – Sierra Madre Occidental (west) – Sierra Madre del Sur (south) Yucatan Peninsula is Mexico’s flattest region Erosion has created many caves and sinkholes

Climate, Biomes, and Natural Resources Vegetation ranges from desert plants to tropical forests in the south Three factors that explain Mexico’s climates are: – Regional high-pressure system – Northeast trade winds – Elevation Largest rivers drain areas of central Mexico World’s leading silver producer Petroleum is Mexico’s most valuable natural resource

Early Mexico Main crops included beans, corn, peppers, and squash Maya, Olmec, Toltec, and Zapotec were major civilizations in Mexico Aztecs were the most successful – Built an empire in what is now central and southern Mexico

The Colonial Period Conquistadores formed crucial military alliances with peoples who resented the Aztec New diseases, such as small pox, killed many Indians The Spaniards expanded the existing mining operations Roman Catholic missionaries tried to convert the American Indians to Christianity Spanish and American Indian cultures mixed – Mestizos

Mexico Since Independence In 1810, Mexicans began to revolt against Spanish rule Plantation agriculture expanded along the eastern coast – Some became rich, most stayed poor The President had absolute power – Revolution resulted because of this

Modern Mexico Since about 1990, Mexico has again opened its economy to foreign business. In 1992, Mexico joined NAFTA Tourism has become increasingly important to Mexico – Acapulco, Cancun, and Mazatlan Protestant churches are attracting new members

Questions to Consider What are the three major mountain ranges of Mexico? What did the Native Americans struggle with most? How can a president or dictator with absolute power affect a country? 37w 37w