CULTURES OF MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA WHAT FACTORS HAVE AFFECTED CULTURES IN LATIN AMERICA? The cultures of Mexico and Central America have been affected by the regions’ ethnic diversity, religion and the migration of much of the population from the countryside to towns and cities- The cultures in South America have been affected by the geography and local history of the different cultural regions.

HOW WAS LATIN AMERICAN BEEN SHAPED BY ITS HISTORY? The Caribbean is ethnically and culturally diverse because of the many groups that settled there as colonists, immigrants, or slaves.

WHERE IN THE REGION DO PEOPLE SPEAK ENGLISH? WHY ARE THOSE LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN THOSE PLACES? It is spoken in parts of Central America, the Caribbean Islands and parts of South America SPANISH? In Mexico,much of Central America, especially in the south- PORTUGUESE? Mainly in Brazil. The languages spoken in a region are affected by its history, culture and the ethnic groups who live there.

NAME TWO WAYS PEOPLE HAVE WORKEDTOFIGHTPOVERTY AND INJUSTICE Officials of the Catholic Church have spoken out against injustive, and ordinary citizens have started organizations to help the poor, such as health clinics and farms.

Rapid population growth. WHAT FACTOR MAKES IT DIFFICULT OR YOUNG PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS TO FIND JOBS? WHAT IS THE RESULT OF THIS UNEMPLOYMENT? Rapid population growth. Many young people have left their homes in the countryside to find work in the cities-

WHY DID MANY MEXICANS MOVE TO THE UNITED STATES? Many Mexicans come to the United States to improve their way of life, to earn money to help support their families, and to find better jobs than they could find at home.

HOMEWORK: Wednesday 15-09-2010 GRAPH SKILLS – PAGE 77 Identify.- Which of the cities in the population graph are in Latin America? Draw Conclusons.- What does the fact that Latin America as such large, modern cities tell you about the region?

CLASSWORK Tuesday 14-09-2010 KEY TERMS.- Review the key terms at the begining of this section. Use a separate piece of paper each term in a sentence that explains its meaning.

WHAT ARE THREE EFFECTS OF THE SPANISH COLONIZATION OF MIDDLE AMERICA? Three ffects of Spanish colonization of Middle America are: Spanish is the major language in the region. Catholicism is the main religion in the region. A large number of the people are of Spanish descent or of mixed Spanish and Native-American descent.

COMPREHENSION & CRITICAL THINKING 1. Identify: What are he main languages and religions of the people of Middle America? Although some indigenous languages still exist, Spanish is the main language in the region. Catholicism with some elements of Native American beliefs, is the main religion in the region.

2. Identify Cause & Effect: How do the languages and religions of Middle America reflect the region’s history? The languages and religions vary within the region, reflecting th fact that different groups have lived there over time. However, the fact that Spanish and Catholicism are the main language and main religion reflects that te Spanish conquered the indigenous people.

3. Predict: How might this diversity lead to challenges for the region? Some groups of indigenous people might want to gain back their lands or fight to have other rights.Indigenous groups may resent people of Spanish descent. People of Spanish descent might be prejudiced against mestizo or indigenous people.

4. Identify Causes: What is one reason that rural people in Mexico and Central America are moving to the cities? In the countryside, the population is growing rapidly. This is leading to unemployment. Young people leave their towns to go to the cities to find work. In the cities, people are crowded together and often live in poverty, although there are more jobs and schools are usually better than in the countryside.

5. Predict : What impact might the emigration of many Mexicans have on their country? If too many people emigrate from Mexico, the country would lose people with skills that are important for its economy. Also, if people work in other countries, they pay taxes there, so Mexico loses tax money when workers leave the country.