Chapter 10: Mexico

Why are the Western sides of Mexico's mountains drier than the eastern sides?

The Western sides of Mexico's mountains drier than the eastern sides because of the rain shadow effect and because of the north east trade winds.

What agreement lowered trade barriers between Mexico and the rest of North America?

The agreement lowered trade barriers between Mexico and the rest of North America was NAFTA.

Create a timeline of Mexican history. Use it to list key events from the time of Spanish arrival to the present.

1519 - The Spanish arrived in Mexico 1810 - Mexicans began to revolt against Spanish rule. 1821 - Mexico won its independence 1848 - Mexico lost its northern territory from Texas to California from a war. 1910-1920 - Mexican Revolution 1992 - Ejido farmers won the right to sell their land. 1992-Mexico joined Canada and the U.S. in the signing of NAFTA.

Dictator

A leader who rules with almost absolute authority.

Isthumus

A narrow strip of land with water on either side connecting two larger land areas.

Cash Crops

Crops grown for sale in a market.

How might economic progress help increase political stability in Mexico?

Economic progress help increase political stability in Mexico because Mexico would have less migration t the U.S. Economic progress would also reduce poverty, which in turn, would lead to lower crime rates.

Describe Mexico's physical geography.

Landforms - Isthmus, Sinkholes, Orizaba is 18,700 feet high. Climate - Varies by region, subtropical and tropical. Resources - Silver, gold, iron, lead, mercury, petroleum, oil, gas fields.

Hacienda

Large Spanish Colonial estates usually owned by wealthy families but worked by many peasants.

Why is migration to the United States a disadvantage for the Mexican economy?

Migration to the United States is a disadvantage for the Mexican economy because it takes skilled workers away from the Mexican economy.

When was NAFTA signed?

NAFTA was signed in 1992.

What powerful empire ruled much of what is now Mexico at the time of the Spanish Arrival?

The Aztec Empire was the powerful empire ruled much of what is now Mexico at the time of the Spanish Arrival

Plaza

Open Spaces in towns in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries, often in front of a church.

Mestizos

People of mixed European and Native American ancestry.

How did pre-Colonial beliefs shape the practice of Christianity in Mexico?

Precolonial beliefs shaped it because it moved on from people to people.

What three mountain ranges border the Mexican Plateau and where are they located?

Sierra Madre Oriental ~Eastern Mexico Sierra Madre Occidental ~Western Mexico Sierra madre del Sur ~Along the Southern Pacific Coast of Mexico

Why does the Yucatan Peninsula have sinkholes?

Sinkholes in the Yucatan Peninsula are created when water drains through limestone which creates underground caves. Eventually someone steps on these weak areas of land and these caves collapse.

In what ways did Spanish Colonization shape Mexican culture?

Spanish Colonization shape Mexican culture by introducing Roman Catholicism.

Conquistadores

Spanish conquerors of foreign lands during the colonial era.

Maquiladoras

Special factories in Mexico owned mainly by American companies.

Sinkholes

Steep-sided depressions that form when a cave collapses.

What geographical factors benefit industrial growth in Mexico?

The few river that drain Central Mexico provide the country with hydroelectric power and water for irrigation. The country has many valuable mineral resources that are used for mining, specifically silver. Petroleum is the country's most valuable resource and can be found on the Gulf of Mexico. This is also where many oil and natural gas field are located.

What geographical features make Mexico City's pollution problems worse?

The geographical feature of the mountains and broad valleys make Mexico City's pollution problems worse. This is because mountains trap gases.

What were the two most important economic activities of Colonial Mexico?

The two most important economic activities of Colonial Mexico were mining and agriculture.

List the four economic and cultural regions of Mexico and their major economic activities.

~Greater Mexico City - Has monumental government buildings. Largest university and greatest museums and theaters. ~Central Mexico - Colonial mining, ranching centers. ~Gulf lowlands and southern Mexico - Grazing or growing sugarcane, deposits of oil and natural gas, transportation and telephone service are poor. ~Northern Mexico - Factories and commercial farms draw migrant workers, cattle ranching, mining, tourism.

In what ways is Mexico both a rich country and a poor country?

~Rich - Oil and natural gas, oil refineries, pipelines, petrochemical complexes, port facilities, and fertilizer plants. These help produce money for the Mexican economy. They also have many world-class hotels. ~Poor - People live without electricity, sewers, or a safe water supply and also has high crime rates.