Date: July, ________2014 8th A,B,C,D Subject: Social Studies Topic: Summary Mexico Pages 38 – 41 Physical Geography Physical Feautures Mexico shares a long border with U.S.A, forming part of this border is one Mexico’s few major rivers, the Rio Bravo. In U.S.A this river is called Rio Grande. Mexico is mostly surrounded by water. Mexico’s border in the west is the Pacific Ocean. To the east, Mexico’s border is the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico is separated from the Caribbean Sea by a part of Mexico called the Yucatan Peninsula. On the east side of the country, the soils and the climate are good for faming. Climate and Vegetation Mexico has many different climates, this results in several different types of vegetation. In some areas, changes in elevation cause climates to vary widely within a short distance. Most of southern Mexico is warm and humid, the climate in the northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula is hot and dry. Natural Resources One of its most important resources is petroleum, or oil. Mexico sells much of its oil to U.S.A. Before oil, minerals were the country’s most valuable resource. Today Mexico’s mines produce silver, copper, gold, lead and zinc. Another important resource is water.

Pages 42 – 46 History and Culture Early Cultures Olmec: By about 1500 BC the people were living in Mexico in small villages. They lived on the humid southern coast of the gulf of Mexico, were they buily temples and giants statues. Maya: About AD 250 and 900, They built large cities in Mexico and Central America. Aztec: They moved to central Mexico from the north. In 1325 they built their capital on an island in a lake. The Aztec built a large, powerful empire. Colonial Mexico and Independence Aztec Empire did not last long after the first Europeans landed in Mexico. In 1519 Hernan Cortez arrived in Mexico with about 600 men. The conquerors had guns and horses. The new weapons gave the spanish an advantage. The spanish aslo brought European diseases such as smallpox. In 1521 Cortez claime the land for Spain. Colonial Times Spanish and American Indian people and culture mixed. This mixing formed a new Mexican identity. Africans and American Indians also intermarried. Life in colonial Mexico was greatly influenced by the Roman catholic church. Priests at the mission learned native languages and taught the indians spanish. They worked to convert the American Indians to Catholicism. Like mining, agriculture became and importat part of the colonial economy.

Pages 42 – 46 History and Culture Independence Spain ruled Mexico for almost 300 years before the independence. The revolt against spanish was led by Miguel Hidalgo. In 1810, he gave a famous speech calling the people to rise up against the spanish. Mexico won its independence in 1821. Later Struggles Mexico gained it independence, a large area, Texas, broke away. Texas joined U.S.A. In the mid-1800s, Mexico face other challenges. During this time, the popular president Benito Juarez helped Mexico survive a french invasion. Benito Juarez was Mexico’s firsy president of Indian heritage. Culture One major influence from history is language. Most mexicans speak spanish because of the spanish influence. Another influence from Spain is religion. About 90 percent of all Mexicans are Roman Catholic. Mexicans also have some unique cultural practices. The day of the dead is a holiday to remember and honor dead ancestors. Mexicans celebrate Day of the Dead on November 1 and 2.

Pages 48 – 52 Mexico Today Government and Economy Mexico has a democratic goverment. The government controlled most of the country’s economic activity. Today they have less control. Mexico is a developing country. Agriculture: It has been a key part of the Mexican economy. Industry: Oil is also an important export for Mexico. Many mexicans work in the oil, mining and manufacturing industries. Tourism: It is another important part of Mexico’s economy. Many tourists visit old colonial cities and Maya and Aztec monuments. Mexico’s culture regions We can divide Mexico into four regions based on regional differences. These four culture regions differ from each other in population, resources, climate and other features. Greater Mexico city: It inlcudes the capital and about 50 smaller cities near it. Population of more than 19 million, Mexico city is the world’s second largest city. Central Mexico: Farmers in this region grow vegetables, corn, and wheat for sale, mostly to cities in Mexico. Northern Mexico: It has become one of the country’s richest and most modern areas. Southern Mexico: It is the least populated and industrialized section in Mexico.