1. Splash Screen

2. Section 2: Central America and the Caribbean
Introduction
Section 1: Mexico
Section 2: Central America and the Caribbean
Section 3: South America
Visual Summary
Chapter Menu

3. Section 1: Mexico
The characteristics and distribution of cultures influence human systems. Mexico has been shaped by the civilizations of the Maya and the Inca, and by the Spanish.
Chapter Intro 2

4. Section 2: Central America and the Caribbean
Culture influences people’s perceptions of places and regions. Native American, European, and African cultures have influenced Central America and the Caribbean.
Chapter Intro 3

5. Section 3: South America
The characteristics and distribution of human populations affect physical and human systems. South America has been influenced by Native American and European cultures, migration, physical geography, and urbanization.
Chapter Intro 4

6. Population Patterns
Ethnic groups, migration, and urban growth have shaped population in Mexico.
The indigenous groups of Mexico thrived in different areas, such as:
The Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula
The Aztecs of the southern part of the Mexican Plateau
Section 1

7. Population Patterns (cont.)
Mexico is the world’s most populous Spanish-speaking country, with 142 people per square mile.
Migration has shaped Mexico’s population:
External migration to other areas of the world
Internal migration to urban areas, resulting in rapid urbanization
Population Trends in Mexico
Section 1

8. History and Government
Native American empires and colonial rule influenced Mexico’s political and social structures.
Different people have ruled Mexico over the years:
Maya Empire
Aztec Empire
Section 1

9. History and Government (cont.)
The Spanish gained power in 1521 by defeating the Aztecs.
Mexico defeated the Spanish in 1821.
Today, the Partido Accion Nacional (PAN) is in power after defeating the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI).
Political power struggles still continue today.
Section 1

10. Culture
The arts, traditions, and beliefs of indigenous peoples and of Europeans have influenced Mexican culture.
The culture of Mexico is an intricate blending of indigenous and Spanish influence.
Section 1

11. Culture (cont.) Language—Spanish is spoken by 95% of the population.
Religion—90% of the population is Roman Catholic.
Education—rural schools do not have the funding that urban or private schools receive.
Health care—it is subsidized, but of poor quality.
Section 1

12. Culture (cont.)
The arts—indigenous cultures and the Spanish colonial influence are evident.
Family life—Mexicans highly value the family, and often live with extended family.
Sports and leisure—bullfighting, soccer, baseball, and jai alai are popular sports.
Section 1

13. Section 1-End

14. Central America and the Caribbean
Native American, European, and African cultures have influenced Central America and the Caribbean.
Section 2-GTR

15. Population Patterns
Diverse ethnic groups, migration, small land areas, and rapid growth have shaped the population of Central America and the Caribbean.
They are descendants of the following peoples:
Maya
European
African
Asian
Ethnic Groups in the Caribbean
Section 2

16. Population Patterns (cont.)
At least two-thirds of Central Americans are mestizos.
Most people live in the highlands along the Pacific coast, but population densities vary.
External migration has increased substantially over the past 100 years.
Internal migration has increased urban growth, although the cities cannot support this influx.
Section 2

17. History and Government
History and government in Central America and the Caribbean have been influenced by indigenous cultures, colonialism, slavery, and struggles for freedom.
European conquests:
The Spanish conquered the Native Americans in the Caribbean.
Section 2

18. History and Government (cont.)
The Columbian Exchange began after Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.
Vasco Nunez de Balboa discovered Panama, which now boasts the Panama Canal.
The Columbian Exchange
Section 2

19. History and Government (cont.)
Gaining Independence:
In 1804, Haiti won its independence from France.
Other Caribbean countries were the last regions to gain independence.
Some islands remain under foreign control today.
Section 2

20. History and Government (cont.)
During the 1900s, many countries in Central America and the Caribbean experienced dramatic political, social, and economic changes:
Panama Canal Zone
1959 revolution in Cuba
Democracy in several other countries
Section 2

21. Culture
The culture of Central America and the Caribbean has been influenced by the arts as well as the traditions and beliefs of indigenous peoples, Africans, and Europeans.
Language—Spanish is the primary language of Central America.
In the Caribbean, many European languages are spoken.
Section 2

22. Culture (cont.) Religion—the majority are Roman Catholic.
Education—the quality of education varies depending on the country and the urban/rural area.
Health care—this also varies depending on the country, and is linked to standard of living.
Section 2

23. Culture (cont.)
The arts—Native Americans produced the earliest art forms.
Music combines Native American, European, and African influences.
Family life—the importance of one’s family determines one’s social class.
Sports and leisure—baseball, basketball, and volleyball have large followings.
Section 2

24. Section 2-End

25. South America
The cultural geography of South America has been influenced by Native American and European cultures, migration, physical geography, and urbanization.
Section 3-GTR

26. Population Patterns
South America’s population has been shaped by ethnic diversity, physical geography, migration, and urban growth.
South America is home to an ethnically diverse population:
Indigenous cultures
Europeans
Africans
Asians
Section 3

27. Population Patterns (cont.)
Most South Americans live on the continent’s edges, sometimes called the “populated rim.”
Due to the relatively large land areas, population densities tend to be low.
Section 3

28. Population Patterns (cont.)
Many people are leaving South America due to the following:
A search for better wages and living conditions
A desire to escape the violence of civil war
Section 3

29. Population Patterns (cont.)
About 80% of the subregion’s population is urban.
São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Buenos Aires are among the world’s 15 largest cities.
Population Density in Latin America
Section 3

30. History and Government
Indigenous civilizations, colonization, independence, and authoritarian rule have influenced South America’s history and government.
Indigenous civilizations—the Moche, Mapuche, Aymara, and finally the Inca ruled before the Europeans arrived.
Section 3

31. History and Government (cont.)
Colonization—the Spanish and Portuguese were the first to colonize South America.
Independence—by the mid-1800s, most countries had achieved their independence from Europe.
Authoritarian rule—some countries have democratic governments now, but still struggle with corrupt politics and other issues.
Struggles for Democracy
Section 3

32. Culture
The culture of South America has been influenced by the arts, traditions, and beliefs of indigenous peoples, Europeans, and Africans.
Language—Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and French are spoken in different parts of the subregion.
Religion—mainly Roman Catholic
Section 3

33. Culture (cont.)
Education—education varies greatly throughout South America.
Health care—in countries with stable economies and high standards of living, people have better health care.
The arts—Native American arts survive in many different forms.
Section 3

34. Culture (cont.)
Family life—in urban upper and middle classes, the family is more likely to consist of a nuclear household.
Leisure—soccer is a passion.
Section 3

35. Section 3-End