1. Ch. 7, L3 Life in the Region I. Modern Mexico A. The Economy
1. Mexico has close economic ties to the United States and Canada.
a) In the past these countries were joined by treaties like NAFTA ( North American Free Trade Agreement)
b) In Sept. of 2018, the three countries entered into a new trade agreement called USMCA (Unites States Mexico Canada Agreement).
c) The key provisions of the USMCA are that certain wages for work are set, the milk market in Canada is opened to U.S. dairy workers, and the trade agreement is reviewed in 6 years.

2. Ch. 7, L3 Life in the Region
2. In recent decades, Mexico has developed its manufacturing industry.
a) Factories known as maquiladoras, or factories where parts are made elsewhere are assembled into products, are located in northern Mexico.
b) Mexico also have vibrant agriculture, textile, and manufacturing industries.
3. Farming remains important.
a) Cotton and grain in the North with irrigation.
b) Coffee, sugarcane, and fruit are located on the southeastern coast.
c) Corn, wheat, fruits, and vegetables are grown on the central plateau

3. Ch. 7, L3 Life in the Region B. Culture
d) Many farmers engage in subsistence farming, which is the act of growing enough food to feed your family only.
4. Service industries are important in Mexico.
a) Banking, tourism, and vacation resorts.
B. Culture
1. Mexicans are proud of their blend of Spanish and native cultures.
a) Several Mexicans in the early 1900s painted huge murals, or large paintings drawn on walls, to express Mexican history and people.
b) The Ballet Folklorico performs Mexican dances.
2. Sports reflect Mexico’s ties to Spain and the U.S.

4. Ch. 7, L3 Life in the Region C. Challenges
a) Soccer and baseball
C. Challenges
1. With nearly 9 million people, Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world.
a) 21 million people and 20% of the Mexican population.
b) Overcrowding is a problem.
c) Air pollution is a problem.
2. Another problem for Mexico is the power that drug dealers control.
3. Poverty is another problem of Mexico.
a) Continued economic growth can help control the poverty level.

5. Ch. 7, L3 Life in the Region II. Modern Central America
A. Central America’s Economies
1. The countries of Central America long showed dependence, or too much reliance, on cash crops.
a) Signs of breaking this trend are the development of manufacturing.
b) New textiles, food processing, and tourism.
c) Mayan ruins and rain forests are popular sites.
2. Panama benefits from the Panama Canal.
a) Panama has expanded the canal so larger ships can pass.
3. High rates of population growth creates economic challenges.

6. Ch. 7, L3 Life in the Region B. Challenges Facing the Region
a) One way to prevent poverty is to make trade agreements.
4. In the 2000s, the United States and the Dominican Republic signed a series of agreements with 5 Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvadore, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
a) CAFTA-DR (Central America Free Trade Agreement)
b) CAFTA-DR creates a free-trade zone that lowers trade barriers between the countries.
B. Challenges Facing the Region
1. Another challenge in the region are natural disasters.
a) Hurricanes, earthquakes, & volcanic eruptions.

7. Ch. 7, L3 Life in the Region III. The Caribbean Islands C. Culture
1. The culture of Central America is strongly influenced by European and native traditions.
a) Spanish is the main language except in Belize where it is English.
b) In rural Guatemala, native languages are spoken.
2. The population is a mixture of European and native people.
a) Mainly Roman Catholic with a growing Protestant faith.
III. The Caribbean Islands
A. Island Economies

8. Ch. 7, L3 Life in the Region
1. The biggest challenge to the islands is to develop economically.
a) Many people are poor due to unemployment.
2. Cuba’s economy is in poor condition due to decades of communism.
a) Basic human freedoms are not present in Cuba.
3. In Haiti, a history of poor political leadership has held back economic development.
a) One of the world’s poorest nations.
b) Educated people have left Haiti.
c) Haiti has not fully recovered from a 2010 earthquake.

9. Ch. 7, L3 Life in the Region
4. Trinidad & Tobago has one of the more successful economies.
a) Oil and natural gas has led to economic development.
b) Proximity to Venezuela and Brazil has led to busy ports.
c) The smaller islands have led to more stable governments.
5. Another economic factor is remittance or the sending back of money from workers to their homeland.
a) Many Dominicans work in the U.S. and send money home to the D.R.
6. Tourism is a major part of the economy on several islands.
a) Tourists usually are isolated from the poorer parts of the islands.

10. Ch. 7, L3 Life in the Region B. Island Culture
1. The cultures of the Caribbean islands show a mix of mainly European and African influences.
2. The language spoken on the islands reflect their colonial heritage.
a) English = the Bahamas and Jamaica.
b) Spanish = Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.
c) French (creole) = Haiti
3. The Caribbean have strongly influenced world music.
a) Reggae is present in Jamiaca and is popular due to its rhythmic qualities.