1. Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean

2. History of the Region
President Obama begins to lift the US trade Embargo with Cuba
Mayan civilization begins in Mexico and Central America
Columbus lands in what is today the Bahamas
Mexico gains its independence from Spain
2600 BC
1492 AD
1821 AD
2016 AD
1521 AD
1428 AD
1959 AD
Aztec rule begins in central Mexico
Cortez conquers the Aztecs. Mexico city built on the ruins of the Aztec capital
Communist dictator Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba

3. Important Geography
Mexico City – Massive urban area of over 20 Million people
Panama Canal – connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

4. Government and Economy of the Region
The government of Cuba has been a communist dictatorship since Fidel Castro ruled Cuba as a dictator from His brother, Raul Castro took over in 2008 and continues to rule as dictator today.
Cuba operates as a strict command economy. The USA has implemented a trade embargo (will not trade with a country) with Cuba. President Obama loosened the terms of the trade embargo in 2016, but there are still tensions between the USA and Cuba today.
Many people in this region survive by subsistence farming. This means only growing enough food to feed you and your family.
NAFTA – Trade agreement between the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Free Trade = Lower cost of goods

5. The Olmecs
The Olmecs lived in southern and central Mexico from 1200 – 400 BC.
The Olmecs are most famous for their large stone head carvings, some of which were over ten feet tall and weighed up to 20 tons.
The Olmecs were the first people to grow maize (corn), and produce objects out of rubber.

6. The Maya
The Maya lived in what is today the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico from – 900 AD.
The Maya were an advanced civilization who built many large cities and monuments in the Yucatan and further south into Central America.
The Maya created a complex calendar based on a 365 day solar year, much like ours. They accomplished this by watching the stars, and discovering the number “0”.

7. The Aztecs The Aztecs ruled central Mexico from 1428 to 1521 AD
They built large cities and religious centers where they worshiped many different gods with human sacrifice.
The Aztecs built their capital, Tenochtitlan in the middle of lake Texcoco, the current site of modern day Mexico City.
The Aztec civilization ended in 1521 when the Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortez conquered their capital and killed their leader Montezuma.
Many of the Aztecs died from Smallpox, a disease brought to Mexico by the Spanish.
The Aztecs called themselves the “Mexica”. This is where Mexico gets its name.