1. Geography, Culture, Economy and Governments (Mexico V. Cuba)
Latin America Today
Geography, Culture, Economy and Governments
(Mexico V. Cuba)

2. GEOGRAPHY
MEXICO
CUBA
Landscape is made up of mountain ranges, deserts and plateaus.
Volcanoes and earthquakes are natural disasters that occur here.
Mexico City lies in a basin which is more likely to have earthquakes and is surrounded by mountains that trap the air pollution.
An island nation in the Caribbean Sea.
Lies just south of Florida and east of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Hilly island made up of inactive volcanoes.

3. GOVERNMENT MEXICO Democratic Republic
Individuals who are 18 and older have the right to vote and elect their leaders and maintain their human rights
3 Branches of government like in the US
CUBA
Communist government
Led by a dictator
When the government became unlimited, there was a loss of human rights for the Cuban people.

4. Explain the difference between the governments of Cuba and Mexico.
What happened to the rights of Cubans when the government became a communist?
What can Mexican citizens do to ensure they keep their rights?
What type of government does Mexico have?

5. Culture
MEXICO
Mostly Catholic because of Spanish conquistadors bringing religion
Blend of Aztec, Spanish and modern influences combine as the Mexican culture borrowed traits from immigrants coming to Mexico.
CUBA
Mostly Catholic because of Spanish conquistadors bringing religion
There are strict restrictions on what artists, writers, and filmmakers say in their work-this is called censorship of media. For example, books may be banned if the government does not approve of them.

6. CULTURE REVIEW What has influenced the culture of Mexico?
Define cultural borrowing.

7. Economy Command/Communist
MEXICO
Free Market/Enterprise – allows for the most economic freedom
Early Mexican economy was based on subsistence farming while modern Mexico practices commercial farming
Mexico has abundant reserves of oil, silver and other metals.
As privatization of businesses increased, so did the amount of entrepreneurs who controlled business and worked to gain profits
Biggest Threats to economy are pollution and immigration to other countries.
CUBA
Command/Communist
Government controls all industry and owns all farms, factories and businesses
Command economies have the least amount of economic freedom
Workers work to support the national government (what’s best for the country, not the individual)

8. ECONOMY REVIEW
What is the difference between Mexico’s and Cuba’s economy?
2. Which economic system allows for the
most economic freedom?
3. Would Cuba or Mexico have a higher
standard of living? Why?