1. Mexico

3. Physical Geo 3 Great mountain ranges shape the country – Sierra Madres Oriental, Occidental, and Del Sur Most of the country is made up of the rugged plateau between the mountains (Mexican Plateau) Southern end of plateau is the Valley of Mexico, where Mexico City is located Elevation – 7,500 feet (higher than Denver)

4. Geo Activity in Mexico Popocatepetl is an active volcano 20 million people live within 50 miles of it Earthquakes are common in Mexico due to active tectonics Travel is difficult through Mexico because of the landforms

5. Natural Resources Mexico does not have many rivers Leading silver producer in the world Great oil and natural gas reserves along the Gulf Coast Most of their oil is exported to the U.S.

6. Empires of the Past Long before Columbus arrived, Mexico was ruled by advanced and powerful Indian civilizations Mayans for thousands of years Conqurered by Toltecs Toltecs conquered by the great warriors, the Aztecs – vicious rulers (human sacrifice and cannibalism) Aztecs also known as Mexica

7. History of Mexico City Aztec capital at Tenochtitlan – later became Mexico City One of the biggest cities in the world even prior to Spanish conquest Mighty Aztecs were unpopular and were conquered by Spanish in 1521

8. Culture Due to the Spanish conquest, 90% of Mexicans today are Catholic Most colonists were men, so inter- marriage with Indian women was common Therefore, most Mexicans today are mestizos, people of mixed European and Indian descent Main language: Spanish – but native Indian tongues are still present

9. Contemporary Mexico Officially gained independence from Spain in 1821 ( now composed of 31 states) Lost Texas and other parts of the West to the U.S. in 1848 (Mexican-American War) Became more democratic in 1990 Entered NAFTA with U.S. and Canada in 1992 – 81% of exports go the U.S. Is rapidly developing in the image of the U.S.

10. Although it is developing economically quickly, there is still mass poverty – too few jobs Huge settlements of shacks built form sheet metal and waste wood – no electricity, sewers, or safe water Maquiladoras – factories of American-owned companies that lie along the U.S. border

11. Environment Massive population, terrible pollution, high risk of earthquake, sinking buildings Vehicles and factories combine with location in a valley to trap pollutants and then volcanoes spew out ash and gases