Chapters 10 & 13: Mayans and Adapting to Life in the Andes

Standards & Objectives 1.List and explain to ways by which the Mayan people have adapted to modern life, and two ways by which people adapt to life in the Andes Mountains 2.Describe two Mayan traditions that they continue to practice today 3.Describe each of the four elevation zones of the Andes

The Mayan Civilization Who are the Mayans? – The Mayans are one of the largest groups of indigenous people in the Americas About 2000 years ago, the Maya created a remarkable civilization in Mesoamerica – Name 1 important fact about their civilization

Mayans live in countries near Mexico, mostly in the highlands of Guatemala – Describe the physical geography of the landscape where they live – What do the Mayans have to do to survive in modern life today?

Mayan Government and Traditions The Maya have their own traditional forms of government – What type of government do the Mayans have? – Who governs their community according to national law? The Mayan adapt to modern life by having their own community council and have a mayor who governs according to national law

Maya judges rarely send offenders to jail They pay for their crimes doing community service

Home and family are the foundation of Mayan life – Describe a traditional Mayan home Traditional one room homes constructed of wood or mud brick called adobe – What roles do men and women have in Mayan communities? Women are at home, cooking and caring for children Men work in the fields & hunt – What do the children do and wear in Mayan communities? Go to school, though many quit early to help at home and learn traditional skills

Mayan’s Changing Ways of Work Most Maya are subsistence farmers – What is a subsistence farmer? Farming carried out mainly to provide food for farm families, with little surplus for sale to others

Many Mayan have adopted to modern life by working for wages – Where do Mayans work for money? – What type of farms do they work on? Market day is an important tradition for Mayans? – How does the Mayan marketplace show signs of adaptation to the modern world?

Keeping Mayan Traditions Alive The Mayans worshipped many Gods Everything in Mayan in the world, even rocks and water, had a spirit

When the Spanish conquered them in the 1500s, they tried to convert the Mayan to Christianity – What is the Mayan blended religion they practice today?

The Mayan have preserved their traditional medicine, using both modern doctors and traditional healers – Who are Mayan healers and “day-keepers”?

Review/Homework Questions Chapters 10 & 13 1.What is one important fact about the Mayan’s ancient civilization? 2.Name three ways by which the Mayan have adapted to modern life 3.What type of physical geography do the Mayans live in? 4.Name the four elevation zones in the Andes Mountains 5.Explain what elevation zone you would most likely live in if you wanted to plant and cultivate flowers 6.Describe how the native peoples of the Andes adapt to each different elevation zone.

The Andes: Backbone of South America The Andes consist of several mountain ranges that are known in Spanish as cordilleras They form the longest chain of high mountains on Earth along the west coast of South America – What countries do the Andes pass through? Nat Geo Adventure: Machu Picchu

Some parts are covered with dense forest, other regions are rocky and bare, and some lofty peaks are covered in snow and ice

The Four Elevation Zones There are Four Elevation Zones in the Andes These elevation zones are also called climate zones because elevation helps determine climate – What is the link between climate and elevation based on? (2 factors)

Even though the Andes are near the equator, as you go higher in altitude, the temperature becomes colder

The Tropical Lowlands The tierra caliente is the lowest of the 4 elevation zones of the Andes – What is the climate in this zone and what are the physical characteristics of this zone? – How do humans adapt to life in the tierra caliente?

Pleasant Uplands The tierra templada is the second elevation zone – What is the climate and what are the physical characteristics of this zone? – How do humans adapt to life in the tierra templada?

The Cool Highlands Covering much of the central Andes, the tierra fira elevation zone is home to cold temperatures – What is the climate in this zone and what are the physical characteristics of this zone? – How do humans adapt to life in the tierra fria?

Icy High Elevations The tierra helada is an extreme environment, home to freezing temperatures and snow – What is the climate in this zone and what are the physical characteristics of this zone? – How do humans adapt to life in the Tierra helada?