In what country do employers complain that their citizens won’t take

certain jobs and use this to justify hiring illegal

immigrants?

Key TermsDefine the following.

PlateauPeninsulaSinkholeSubsistence farmMestizo Cash croplatifundio

The Land

Mexico forms a land bridge connecting North America and South America.

Mexico was once called “land of the shaking earth” because of its many earthquakes in its central plateau region. (Four tectonic plates converge in this area.)

Mexico’s climate is hot and humid in the lower valleys and cooler in the mountain tops.

Due to the positions of the Sierra Madre Occidental near the western coast, the southern portion of the central plateau receives more rain than the northern portion

Regions of Mexico

Northern Pacific Coast: Hot and arid, but irrigation provides for some of the best farmlandGulf Coastal Plain: Contains vast amounts of petroleum and natural gas

Regions of MexicoSouthern Pacific Coast: A beautiful setting and tropical climate make this a tourism hot spot!Yucatan Peninsula: Mayan ruins and underground caverns attract tourists as well. Rain often dissolves limestone above these caverns, causing collapses known as sinkholes.

The EconomySince 1994, Mexico’s economy has grown steadily becoming the world’s 10th largest economy.Mexico is considered a newly industrialized country and a upper middle income country in terms of wealth.2050 projections for world economies: China, India, U.S., Brazil, Mexico.

…Economy cont.Mexico is the 6th largest producer of electronics in the world after

1. China2. U.S.3. Japan4. South Korea5. Taiwan

Maquiladoras are the factories that produce these products, most of which end up in the U.S.

…Economy cont.The most important industry in Mexico is the oil industry which is primarily owned by the government. (Pemex)There are many other growing high tech industries in Mexico.Tourism is also important as Mexico ranks 7th in the world in this industry.

NAFTANorth American Free Trade Agreement

NAFTA was signed in 1993 between Canada, USA, and Mexico to eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers between the countries.

The People

60% of Mexico’s people are mestizos, or people of mixed Native American and European ancestries.One of the earliest Mexican civilizations were the Aztecs.

…The People cont.

The Aztec Empire was destroyed by Hernan Cortes and the Spanish in the early 16th century.The area was controlled by Spain until Mexico won independence in 1821, creating a federal republic.A revolution that started in 1910 and ended in 1920 established Mexico as a democracy.Mexico is a federal republic, similar to the U.S., with three branches, also similar to the U.S.

ImmigrationDid you know?

While most people are familiar with Mexican immigration into the U.S., few people realize that Mexico has its own issues with illegal immigration along its southern border. Many from poorer countries like Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador migrate illegally into Mexico every year.

Social ConditionsSpanish is the official language (although some Native American groups speak their ancestral language at home.)Most Mexicans are Roman Catholic.Land has been redistributed as small farmers own ejidos which they farm collectively as a community using subsistence farming.One –third of Mexican farms are latifundios.3 to 4 million rural Mexican families do not have land and migrate to different places that need workers. (migrant workers)

Mexican Wrap Up

The culture of modern Mexico is a mix of Indian, Spanish and modern culture.Buena suerte!

Unit 3 MapThe maps on page 205 and 207 are good models. DO NOT TRACE.Make 80 degrees West your middle line of longitude and 10 degrees South your middle line of latitude.