MesoamericaMesoamerica

1200 BC1200 BC

LandformsLandforms

Central Mountain Central Mountain range runs through range runs through middlemiddle

Yucatan PeninsulaYucatan Peninsula Active VolcanoesActive Volcanoes Highland LakesHighland Lakes

Climates in MesoamericaClimates in Mesoamerica

Most of land in Most of land in Tropics.Tropics.

Northern section Northern section has little rainfall.has little rainfall.

Elevation shifts Elevation shifts determining what determining what kind of crops can kind of crops can be grown.be grown.

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Rewrite using question asked:Rewrite using question asked:

Why is it important to know the Why is it important to know the elevation for each civilization?elevation for each civilization?

Slash-and-Burn AgricultureSlash-and-Burn Agriculture

Soil is fertile near Soil is fertile near rivers but not in rivers but not in rainforests.rainforests.

Farmers clear land Farmers clear land by cutting trees by cutting trees and using ashes for and using ashes for fertilizer.fertilizer.

Maize. Cacao.Maize. Cacao.

Agriculture creates Urban SocietiesAgriculture creates Urban Societies

1)1) Farming leads to settled villages.Farming leads to settled villages.

2)2) Villages gain surplus of crops, Villages gain surplus of crops, encourages population growth and encourages population growth and larger villages.larger villages.

3)3) Not everyone has to raise food. Not everyone has to raise food. Labor Specialization begins.Labor Specialization begins.

4)4) Villages become cities.Villages become cities.

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Restate question when answering:Restate question when answering:

How did the geography of How did the geography of Mesoamerica encourage trade?Mesoamerica encourage trade?