1. MEXICO Unit 1

2. THE HEARTLAND • The central plateau is the most important and populous region of Mexico. • 4/5 of the people live here • Rich soil and plenty of rainfall can be found here.

3. Natural Hazards • Central plateau-geographically unstable • The plateau can be found at the intersection of 4 tectonic plates. • The movement of the plates have formed volcanic mountains and cause earthquakes.

4. Climate • The climate in the central plateau receives adequate rainfall and sunlight and has good soil. • The temperatures are mild do to higher elevations.

5. The Coastal Regions Region Economic Activity Farming Tourism Oil Production Fishing and Tourism • Northern Pacific Coast • Southern Pacific Coast • Gulf Coastal Plain • Yucatan Peninsula

6. Three Cultures Indian, Spanish and Modern

7. Aztecs and Spanish • By 1400’s Aztecs are most powerful group in region • Tenochtitlan-capital and center of empire • Built on an island in a lake

8. Spanish Conquest • Hernan Cortes arrived in 1519 with 600 men • Within 2 years Aztecs are defeated • Spanish conquer all of present day Mexico and call it New Spain

9. New Spain • A new social order developed after Spain takes over- 4 Social classes • The next slide will list the hierarchy from top (most powerful) to bottom (least powerful)

10. Social Classes • Peninsulares- born in Spain- • Criollos- Spanish Ancestry, born in Americas • Mestizos-mixed ancestry • Indians-lowest social group

11. Democracy • Resentment grows between Peninsulares and Criollos • 1810 Miguel Hidalgo calls for rebellion • 1821 Independent Mexico is established

12. Democracy and Time • Democracy did not happen immediately • Military dictators ruled • Economy grew but only a few gained financially

13. Mexican Revolution • 1910 Peasants and Middle class revolt • 1920 New constitution is developed • Today Mexico is a Federal Republic

14. Life in Mexico • Many in Mexico live a difficult life • Pollution, poverty and drugs cartels are a major problem • 3 to 4 million rural families become migrant workers because they lack land and money

15. Economics • NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement was formed in 1993 by US, Canada and Mexico • Due to this Manufacturing increased and unemployment decrease • Today Oil and tourism are major economic activities in Mexico

16. Border Industries • Many factories, maquiladoras, are built along the border • Over a million workers work in these factories today • Built close to US to allow goods to be quickly exported to US • A complaint is that these factories are unregulated and have increased pollution