warm-up what is the name of the large chain of mountains in mexico? sierra madre mountains
TRANSCRIPT
Warm-Up
What is the name of the large chain of mountains in
Mexico?
Sierra Madre
Mountains
Standard:
SS6G3.a. Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of Mexico and Venezuela affect where people live and how they trade.
Opening: Elevation of Mexico City Mexico Video Clip
Learning Target: Today I’m learning how Mexico and Venezuela are similar because it will help me compare the two countries.
Work Session: Mexico and Venezuela notes
Opening:
Use the map key to help you describe the landscape where Mexico City is located.
Mexico City is high, over 6,000 feet and is surrounded by mountains. Why would people choose to settle here???
This area has many valleys that used to have lakes. The valleys have very fertile land
to grow crops.
Science Connection:
Describe the tectonic activity that has created the Sierra Madre Mountains.
1.Divergent boundary between Cocos and Pacific Plates.
2.Transform boundary between Pacific Plate and N. American Plate.
Mexico’s Location(If it’s written in YELLOW, write it down.
•Southern border of the U.S.•Coastline borders: • Pacific Ocean• Gulf of Mexico• Caribbean Sea
• Northern most country of Latin America
Physical Features• Mexican Plateau
• Covers much of the central part of the nation.• High elevation, flat area
•Sierra Madre Mountains• Two long mountain chains
flank (border) the plateau
•Sonoran & ChihuahuaDeserts (northern Mexico)
Trivia:The land in the Mexican Plateau is very soft;
many older buildings are sinking.
Frequent earthquake and volcanic activity.
Mexico’s Climate• Hot and dry (Northern Mexico)
• Close to equator – warm, tropical air
• Cool and wet (Southern Mexico) • Mexican Plateau is higher in elevation – cooler• Hurricanes dump water in summer
• Only 12% of the soil is arable(fertile, able to grow crops)
Most land is too dry & rugged to grow crops.
Where do most of the people live in Mexico? Explain your answer.
Southern Mexico – in the Mexican PlateauHigher elevation – cooler temperature
Hurricanes – heavier rainfall
Luck of the DrawStudent in seat number 12, please answer the question.
What are two reasons that Mexico has many different climate areas?
ElevationThe large size of the country
Luck of the DrawStudent in seat number 22, please answer the question.
Mexico’s Natural ResourcesResources affect where people live and determine what industries they develop.
OilWorld’s Major producer of oil
• Natural gas • Silver• Copper• Gold• Lead• Zinc• Timber• Coffee/fruits/vegetables
More natural resources
Mexico’s TradeU.S. is main trading partner
Shares border – easy access
SeaportsMore than Venezuela
Mexico’s Population• 111 million people live in Mexico• 20% of population live in Mexico City• 2nd most populated country in Latin
America• 77% urban • 23% rural
Mexico City
Mexico’s Environmental Issues
• Oil Pollution• Problem:
• Production has destroyed rainforests• Polluted both land and water
• Solution:• State-owned oil company helps people
who have lost their jobs due to pollution.• Government is working to prevent oil
pollution in the future.
Mexico’s Environmental Issues (continued)
Air Pollution• Problem: Largest populated city in the world
18 million people live there
Location• Problem: High elevation – less oxygen
Acid Rain• Problem: Pollutants from factories create
health problems, hurts plants, soil, buildings
Mexico’s Environmental Issues (continued)
Solution:• City promotes public transportation
(Buses and subways)
• Restricts car use• Workshops to teach people about
environmental issues
Luck of the DrawStudent in seat number 30, please answer the question.
Why do most people live in Mexico City?
Located in the Mexican Plateauwhere there is arable soil and milder
temperatures.
Luck of the DrawStudent in seat number 6, please answer the question.
Name the three most common environmental issues in Mexico.
Oil PollutionAir Pollution
Acid Rain
Luck of the DrawStudent in seat number 18, please answer the question.
What is one way Mexico is trying to solve the problem of air pollution in
Mexico City?
Encouraging people to use public transportation.
Venezuela
Angel Falls, tallest waterfall in the world.
Venezuela’s Location• Northeast part of S. America• Coastline borders Caribbean Sea and
Atlantic Ocean• Located north of the equator
Physical Features• Andes Mountains
• Northern/Central Plains
• Guiana Highland• Southeastern• Large, unexplored area
• Angel Falls• 12 times larger than
Niagara Falls• Located in Guiana
Highlands
• Orinoco River• 3rd largest river in S. Amer.
Venezuela’s Climate
• Hot, dry, tropical climate
• Cooler in the mountains
Resources affect where people live and determine what industries they develop.
Venezuela Natural Resources
• Petroleum• 1940's to 1970 – world’s largest exporter• Main exporter to U.S • Found near Orinoco River Basin and
coastline
Venezuela Resources (continued)
• Natural Gas
• Bauxite (Aluminum)• Gold• Diamonds• Iron Ore• Hydroelectric power• Nickel
Venezuela's Trade
Panama Canal Provides shortcut to Pacific Ocean for trade with Asian countries
Seaports(Less than Mexico)
Venezuela's Population• 28 million people• Most people live in
• Northern Highlands• Coastal Cities• 88% urban• 12% rural
Venezuela's Environmental Issues
Deforestation of Rain ForestCreates land and sewage pollution
Oil PollutionPeople are motivated to continue producing and
using oil because of the money.
Water PollutionMuch of the water is unfit to drink due to land, oil,
and sewage pollution
Air PollutionCO2 emissions (worst in Latin America)
Solution:• A variety of organizations are requesting use
of renewable resources, clean-up and prevention of pollution.
• Government installed a water treatment plant but it needs to be repaired.
• People are becoming aware of the issues but are unable to do much because of the corrupted government and oil companies.
Luck of the DrawStudent in seat number 2, please answer the question.
Why do most people live along the coastline in Venezuela?
Industry - Many ports along the coast- Mining for natural resources- Cooler climate
Closing:
Compare Mexico to Venezuelawith regard to:
LocationClimate
Natural ResourcesPopulation
• Identify 3 ways they are similar• Identify 2 ways they are different