1. Section 3: Mexico Today (page 178)
Chapter 7: Mexico
Section 3: Mexico Today
(page 178)

2. Essential Question
How do Mexico’s four culture regions play a part in the country’s government and economy?

3. Main Ideas
Government has traditionally played a large role in Mexico’s economy.
Mexico has four distinct culture regions.

4. Government and Economy
Democratic government
One party (for 71 years)
Until 2000
Vicente Fox elected president
Different political party

5. Government and Economy
Government used to control most economic activity
Today, gov’t has less control of economy

6. Government and Economy
Mexico is a developing country.
In the past, Mex. has struggled with debts, unemployment, & inflation
Inflation: rise in prices that occurs when currency loses its buying power.

7. Government and Economy
Mex.’s economy is growing
NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement (1994)
Helped increase agricultural & industrial exports

8. Government and Economy
Agriculture
Key part of Mex. Economy
Slash-and-burn: burning forest in order to clear land for planting
Cash crop: crop grown mainly to sell for a profit

9. Government and Economy
Industry
Oil is an important export
Also, mining & manufacturing
Industrial centers along U.S. border
Workers assemble goods for export to the U.S. & other countries

10. Government and Economy
Tourism
Colonial cities
Maya & Aztec monuments
Coastal cities & resorts

11. Mexico’s Culture Regions
Though some shared cultural characteristics, Mex. Can be divided into 4 regions based on population, resources, climate & other features.

12. Mexico’s Culture Regions
This is confusing: The book divides Mexico into 3 regions for physical geography (North, Central, South). But 4 regions for Cultural divisions. (North, Central, South + Greater Mexico City)

13. Mexico’s Culture Regions
Greater Mexico City
Includes capital & a/b 50 smaller cities.
Mexico City world’s 2nd largest
Pop. 19M

14. Mexico’s Culture Regions
Greater Mexico City
Huge pop. causes problems
Pollution
Smog: a mixture of smoke, chemicals, and fog.
Poverty
Lots of slums

15. Mexico’s Culture Regions
Central Mexico
North of G.M.C.
Many cities established as mining or ranching centers during colonial period.
Also many small family farms.
Vegetables, corn, & wheat for sale.

16. Mexico’s Culture Regions
Central Mexico
Lately, new industries relocated there from G.M.C.
Cities in the region, such as Guadalajara, are growing rapidly.

17. Mexico’s Culture Regions
Northern Mexico
One of the country’s richest & most modern areas
Trade w/ U.S.
Many maquiladoras (U.S. & foreign-owned factories.
1st start here

18. Mexico’s Culture Regions
Northern Mexico
Proximity to the border has affected (changed or influenced) the region’s culture also.
Legal/illegal border crossing

19. Mexico’s Culture Regions
Southern Mexico
Least populated & industrialized region
Agriculture important there
(coffee, sugarcane)

20. Mexico’s Culture Regions
Southern Mexico
Slash & burn agriculture (p. 179) is common form of farming.

21. Mexico’s Culture Regions
Southern Mexico
Oil production off Gulf Coast has led to pop. growth in this area.
Yucatan peninsula has also experienced growth b/c of tourism.

22. Essential Question
How do Mexico’s four culture regions play a part in the country’s government and economy?

23. STANDARDS
7.3.spi.10 identify the characteristics that define a region geographically.
• 7.3.spi.13. recognize the definitions of modifications on the physical environment (i.e. global warming, deforestation, desert, urbanization).
• 7.3.spi.18. analyze the environmental consequences of humans changing their physical environment (i.e., air and water pollution, mining, deforestation, global warming).
• 7.4.spi.1. define the different types of governments (i.e., democracy, autocracy, oligarchy, monarchy, dictatorship).
• 7.4.spi.4. identify political leaders from selected contemporary settings (i.e. United States, India, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Russia, China).