1. Mexico Preview Section 1: Natural Environments
World Geography Today
2/15/2019
Mexico
Preview
Section 1: Natural Environments
Section 2: History and Culture
Section 3: Mexico Today
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter 10

2. Section 1: Natural Environments
Read to Discover
What are the main landforms of Mexico?
What climates, biomes, and natural resources does Mexico have?

3. Section 1: Natural Environments
Mexico’s Landforms
The Mexican Plateau makes up most of the country.
Three mountain ranges border the plateau.
Coastal plains lie between mountains and the sea.
The Valley of Mexico is high and broad; Mexico City is located there.

4. Section 1: Natural Environments
Mexico’s Landforms (continued)
Mountains southeast of Mexico City include great volcanoes.
Rugged, varied terrain in southern Mexico
The Isthmus of Tehuantepec forms narrow strip of land in the south.
The Yucatán Peninsula, a flat, limestone-based region, is located in the southeast.

5. Section 1: Natural Environments
Climates and Biomes
North and Northwest—Arid and semiarid; scrub vegetation, desert plants, and grasslands
East and Southeast—Humid, subtropical; forests.
Southern Valleys—Mild; subtropical
Mexican Plateau—Cool highland climates

6. Section 1: Natural Environments
Climates and Biomes (continued)
Pacific subtropical high-pressure cell creates dry weather dominating two-thirds of Mexico’s land
Northeast tradewinds bring humid air from the east and southeast, especially in summer
Elevation affects climate: rain shadows on western slopes; subtropical climates in some mountain valleys; cool highland climates at higher elevations

7. Section 1: Natural Environments
Natural Resources
Mexico has few major rivers, but some provide irrigation and hydroelectric power.
Mexico is rich in minerals, including silver, gold, iron, lead, and mercury.
Oil is the country’s most valuable resource.

8. Section 2: History and Culture
Read to Discover
What were the cultures of Mexico like before the Spanish arrived?
How did Spanish control change Mexico?
What has Mexico’s history been like since independence?

9. Section 2: History and Culture
Early Cultures of Mexico
Many cultures existed, each with its own language and customs.
Farmers grew beans, corn, peppers, and squash.
Complex civilizations—Maya, Olmec, Toltec, Zapotec—had large city centers.
The Aztecs created an empire and a great capital city, Tenochtitlán, in south central Mexico.

10. Section 2: History and Culture
Question
What changes occurred in Mexico during the colonial period?

11. Section 2: History and Culture
Disease
Many indigenous people were killed by European diseases.
Farming
Small communal ejidos were replaced by large haciendas.
Government
Aztec Empire was replaced by a Spanish colonial government.
Population
Mestizos became the largest segment of the population.
Religion
Most people were converted to Roman Catholicism.

12. Section 2: History and Culture
Mexico since Independence
After independence (1821), powerful families still in control
Northern territory lost in 1848 after war with United States
Late 1800s—Foreign investment fueled economic growth, inequality
Mexican Revolution (1910–1920)—Some reform, but power remained in few hands
Modern economy open to foreign business
Increasingly urban and industrial, with large tourist industry
Society changing rapidly; more democratic politics

13. Section 3: Mexico Today
Read to Discover
What are the economic and cultural regions of Mexico?
What challenges face Mexico?

14. Section 3: Mexico Today Mexico’s Regions
Greater Mexico City—cultural, economic, political center
Central Mexico—fertile farm area; Guadalajara second-largest city
Gulf Lowlands—hot and humid; economy based on farming, ranching, trade, oil production
Southern Mexico—Yucatán and Chiapas highlands; Mayan areas, subsistence farming
Northern Mexico—more prosperous; industry centered in Monterrey; commercial agriculture, tourism

15. What are some challenges for the future of Mexico?
Section 3: Mexico Today
Question
What are some challenges for the future of Mexico?

16. Section 3: Mexico Today Challenges for the Future
Resolving Economic Inequality
Reducing Crime
Improving Infrastructure
• Poverty
• Wealth in the hands of a few people
• Few opportunities for Mexican Indians
• Loss of skilled laborers through migration
• Result of widespread poverty
• Main route for drug smuggling into the United States
• Government corruption
• Lack of clean water and modern sewers
• Many roads and railways out of date
• Difficult to move goods to market

17. Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
World Geography Today
2/15/2019
Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
Why does northwestern Mexico have dry weather?
What peoples ruled Mexico before the arrival of Spaniards?
Why is Roman Catholicism the most common religion in Mexico?
In what ways is Greater Mexico City important to the entire country?
How have Mexican politics changed in recent years?
Chapter 10