1. NSF Geo Bee - Junior MEXICO

2. Estados Unidos Mexicanos is a federal republic in North America. Mexico is a federation comprising thirty-one states and a Federal District, its capital and largest city. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico. Mexico has one of the world's largest economies, it is the tenth largest oil producer in the world, the largest silver producer in the world. MEXICO: NORTH AMERICA

3. Mexico is located at about 23° N and 102° W. Climate: varies from tropical to desert. Terrain: high, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; desert. Elevation extremes: lowest point: Laguna Salada -10 m highest point: Pico de Orizaba volcano 5,700 m Natural resources: petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas and timber. Natural hazards: Tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean coasts GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF MEXICO

4. The Tropic of Cancer effectively divides the country into temperate and tropical zones. Land north of the twenty-fourth parallel experiences cooler temperatures during the winter months. South of the twenty-fourth parallel, temperatures are fairly constant year round and vary solely as a function of elevation. With its great size and geographic position, Canada plays a role in the development of prevailing weather systems that reliably affect the whole continent of North America. CLIMATE OF MEXICO

5. Wolves and coyotes are found in the north. The forests on the mountain slopes are inhabited by ocelots, jaguars, peccaries, bears, and pumas. Cactus, yucca, agave, and mesquite are plentiful in the arid north. The tierra caliente is thickly grown with an immense variety of plants, which form a dense tropical jungle in some areas. The trees in this zone include valuable hardwoods, as well as coconut palms, gum trees, and almond, fig, and olive trees. On the mountain slopes grow oaks, pines, and firs. Arctic vegetation is found at the highest elevations in Mexico. ENVIRONMENT OF MEXICO

6. Spanish Invasion Treaty of Córdoba First MEXICAN empire Mexico – A federated republic Mexican American WarLa Reforma End of Second Mexican Empire Mexican Revolution 15191810-18121821-1823182418461854-18571861-18761910-1920 Spainiards invaded Mexico Independ- ence from Spain Brief period of Monarchy Federal constitution was established Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana remains president. Santa Ana overthrown by Mexican Liberals; constitution adds equality and liberal law French invasion followed with second monarchy my Maximilan Major civil war resulted in social upheaval and forming a new constitution in 1917. Make a timeline of the important historical events of your country or province. HISTORY OF MEXICO

7. Mexican culture reflects the complexity of the country's history through the blending of indigenous cultures and the culture of Spain, imparted during Spain's 300-year colonization of Mexico.country's historyculture of Spain Exogenous cultural elements have been incorporated into Mexican culture as time has passed. The Porfirian era (el Porfiriato), in the last quarter of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century, was marked by economic progress and peace. After four decades of civil unrest and war, Mexico saw the development of philosophy and the artsPorfiriato CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

8. GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO The United Mexican States are a federation whose government is representative, democratic and republican based on a presidential system according to the 1917 Constitution. The constitution establishes three levels of government: the federal Union, the state governments and the municipal governments. According to the constitution, all constituent states of the federation must have a republican form of government composed of three branches: the executive, represented by a governor and an appointed cabinet, the legislative branch constituted by a unicameral congress and the judiciary, which will include called state Supreme Court of Justice. They also have their own civil and judicial codes. The Chamber of Deputies The bicameral Congress, composed of a Senate and a Chamber of Deputies, makes federal law, declares war, imposes taxes, approves the national budget and international treaties, and ratifies diplomatic appointments. Seats to federal and state legislatures are elected by a system of parallel voting that includes plurality and proportional representation.

9. The electronics industry of Mexico has grown enormously within the last decade. Mexico has the sixth largest electronics industry in the world. Mexico produces the most automobiles of any North American nation. Mexico is the sixth-largest oil producer in the world, with 3.7 million barrels per day Mexico has been traditionally among the most visited countries in the world according to the World Tourism Organization andmost visited countries in the world ECONOMY OF MEXICO