Political Geography

Mexico People –Indigenous Maya – Yucatan Peninsula Aztec- Mexican Plateau –Mestizo Urbanization –Megacities –Primate City

Mexico Aztecs –Quetzalcoatl –Tenochtitlan Spanish Conquest –Hernando Cortez CE Conquistador –Spanish Influence- Viceroys, Catholicism, Mestizo, Art Syncretism= blending of beliefs & practices

Mexico After Spain Miguel Hidalgo move for Independence Independence from Spain 1821 –Rise of Caudillos –Juarez- reform –Diaz- corrupt rule Civil War- Madero, Zapata, Villa Institutional Revolutionary Party –71 years of rule –

Mexico Economy –Urbanization –Maquiladoras –NAFTA –Emigration

Central America Cultural Hearth –Mayan Civilization Left cities around 800s MYSTERY –Columbian Exchange Independence –Late 1820s to early 1830s Economy –Panama Canal –Plantations –Tourism Informal Economy

Caribbean Columbus thought reached East Indies of Asia Natives died as slaves –Created African Slave Trade Culture –African Influence Voodoo Reggae French, English, Spanish spoken Patois- dialects that blend of languages

South America Inca Civilization –Andes Mts. Peru –Road system 20,000 miles long Spanish Conquest –Francisco Pizarro- gold and silver –Spain passed laws to protect natives/ didn’t work –Spanish religion and culture take over Independence –Inspired by American Revolution –Oligarchies and Authoritarian rule

Cultural Puzzles

“Brazil” Discovery Atlas Take ten notes per day Essay: –Write a 3-5 paragraph essay over what you have learned about Brazil. Discuss the following: Physical Geography of Brazil Political Geography of Brazil –Culture and history