1. Chapter 11: Early Meso-American Civilizations
Lesson 1 Geography and Agriculture in Meso-America

2. MAIN IDEAS Meso-America has a variety of landforms.
Climates in Meso-America vary from tropical to dry.
Geographic diversity caused Meso-America to have a variety of natural resources and crops.

4. LANDFORMS

5. Landforms of Meso-America
EQ: What landforms are found in Meso-America?
Location and Landforms
Meso-America (Middle America) links United States, South America
Elevations vary: mountain ranges, coastal plains, lowlands
Yucatán Peninsula—lowlands divide Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico

6. Landforms of Meso-America
EQ: What landforms are found in Meso-America?
Volcanoes
Volcanoes shape Meso-American landscape; dozens active today
Erupted lava created huge ash mountains; some over 10,000 feet high
Dormant volcano craters filled with water, creating highland lakes

7. Climate and Vegetation EQ: How do climates vary in Meso-America?
Wet and Dry Climates
Much of Meso-America is tropical; hot, humid. Above 80° in day, 80+ inches of rain yearly; rain forests flourish
Lowlands: less rain, grassy, few trees, bushes
North is very hot, dry, desert-like with spare grasses, shrubs
Elevation and Climate
Elevation (height of land above sea level) has great effect on climate. Growing conditions are affected by elevation

8. CLIMATE ZONES

9. Geography Shapes Meso-American Life
EQ: How has geographic diversity affected the natural resources and crops found in Meso-America?
Natural Resources
Jade, obsidian (black volcanic glass) used to carve figures, weapons
Seashells, sharkʼs teeth from coastal regions used for jewelry
Colorful feathers of Quetzal, a sacred bird, used to decorate clothing

10. JADE
OBSIDIAN
SHELLS
Uses:
figurines,
tools, ear
spools and
teeth inlays
Uses:
hunting,
agriculture,
food prep.,
surgery
Uses:
music,
jewelry
(symbol of
birth & death)
*Obsidian’s association with that act of bloodletting is important, as it is argued by some researchers that obsidian was seen as a type of blood originating from the earth – its use in autosacrifice is therefore especially symbolic.

11. Geography Shapes Meso-American Life
EQ: How has geographic diversity affected the natural resources and crops found in Meso-America?
Agriculture
River floodplains, volcano slopes provided fertile farmland
Slash-and-burn agriculture—trees cut, burned; ash used to fertilize; used in areas with poor farmland, such as rain forest
Variety of crops were cultivated: beans, peppers, squash, maize (corn), used for tortillas
Cacao (a tropical tree) beans prized for trade; made chocolate drink

12. MAIZE
BEANS
PEPPERS
SQUASH

13. Geography Shapes Meso-American Life
EQ: How has geographic diversity affected the natural resources and crops found in Meso-America?
Geography and Trade
Meso-Americans traveled great distances by water for trade
Luxury items like jade, obsidian, seashells were key to trade
Ideas, customs spread with trade; created regional common culture

14. TRADE GOODS
TRADE ROUTES

15. Summary & So What Lesson Summary Why It Matters Now . . .
Meso-America has a variety of landforms.
Meso-America has a variety of climates.
Geographic diversity caused Meso-America to have a variety of natural resources and crops.
Why It Matters Now . . .
Chocolate, made from the cacao bean, has become one of the worldʼs most popular foods.