2. Social Studies 6 th Grade

3. Key Terms Land bridge Service industry Subsistence farm Mestizo Adobe Peninsula

4. The Land Mexico forms a land bridge, or narrow strip of land that joins two larger landmasses. This land bridge connects North America and South America. Mexico is a peninsula, or piece of land surrounded by water on three sides. Mexico was once called “land of the shaking earth” because of its many earthquakes. Mexico’s climate is hot and humid in the lower valleys and cooler in the mountain tops.

5. The Economy Service industries strengthen the country’s economy. A service industry is a business that provides services to people instead of making goods. Banking and tourism are Mexico’s main service industries.

6. …Economy cont. Although rich in minerals, Mexico is poor in fertile land. Central Mexico is the economic heart of the country, home of Mexico City. In the south are subsistence farms,small plots where farmers grow only enough food to feed their families. Tourism is also important in the south with beautiful beaches. Mexico has become less a country of farms and villages and more of a country of factories and cities, this is a result of industrialization.

7. The People 60% of Mexico’s people are mestizos. Mestizos are people of mixed Native American and European ancestries. Mexican homes are usually made of adobe, or sun-dried clay brick.

8. …People cont. Every village has a marketplace where families sell or trade clothes, food, baskets, or pottery. For celebrations, Mexicans throw fiestas. Fiestas are festivals that include parades, fireworks, music, and dancing. Soccer is the country’s most popular sport.

9. The Food Traditional Mexican food combines Spanish and Native American cooking. Corn has always been the most important food in Mexico.

10. …Food cont. Mexicans make tortillas, a thin flat cornmeal bread shaped by hands and cooked on a griddle. A folded tortilla filled with vegetables, cheese, beans, and meat becomes a taco. Tacos are not only a favorite Mexican food, they are also enjoyed by many Americans.

11. Mexican Wrap Up The culture of modern Mexico mixes old and new art, music, and literature grown from Native American, Spanish, and Mexican roots. Por Favor, Adios!