1. Become an Expert on Mexico

2. Aztec  Ancient civilization in what is now Mexico.  Named it “ Land of the Shaking Earth.”

3. Vaqueros  Cowhands who developed tools for ranching

4. Mexico City  Capital of Mexico  Largest urban area in the world

5. Monterrey  Major steel producing city

6. Rio Grande  A river which forms most of US/ Mexican border

7. Gulf of Mexico Gulf of Mexico is body of water n east side of Mexico. Pacific Ocean is the western border. Baja California is a peninsula that extends along west coast

8. Altitude Zones  The major mountain ranges on East and West coast create 3 altitude zones where people plants and animals live.  40% live on high plateau between these ranges.  Tierra Fria is the climate zone found at the top of the mountains.

9. Service industries  Banking  Tourism

10. Industrialization  As Mexico industrialized it became less a nation of farms and villages.  Mexico City now faces serious air pollution from smog.

11. NAFTA  In 1992 USA, Canada and Mexico signed a trade agreement

12. Pinata  Hollow figure filled with toys and candy

13. Soccer  Mexico’s most popular sport

14. Mariachi  Band that plays traditional Mexican music

15. Tortilla  Thin flat cornmeal bread

16. Octavio Paz  Writer who describes daily life in Mexico

17. Diego Rivera  Famous Mexican mural painter  This piece is called The Flower Seller

18. Federal republic  Mexico’s form of government