Chapter 7: Mexico

Section 3: Mexico Today

(page 178)

Essential Question

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

Main Ideas

1. Government has traditionally played a large role in Mexico’s economy.

2. Mexico has four distinct culture regions.

Government and Economy

Government• Democratic government• One party (for 71 years)

• Until 2000• Vicente Fox elected president

• Different political party

Government and Economy

Economy• Government used to control most

economic activity• Today, gov’t has less control of

economy

Government and Economy

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.

Government and Economy

Economy• Mex.’s economy is growing• NAFTA: North American Free

Trade Agreement (1994)• Helped increase agricultural &

industrial exports

Government and Economy

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

Government and Economy

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

Government and Economy

Economy• Tourism

• Colonial cities• Maya & Aztec monuments• Coastal cities & resorts

Mexico’s Culture Regions

Though some shared cultural characteristics, Mex. Can be divided into 4 regions based on population, resources, climate & other features.

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)

Mexico’s Culture Regions

Greater Mexico City• Includes capital & a/b 50 smaller

cities.• Mexico City world’s 2nd largest

• Pop. 19M

Mexico’s Culture Regions

Greater Mexico City• Huge pop. causes problems

• Pollution• Smog: a mixture of smoke,

chemicals, and fog.• Poverty

• Lots of slums

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.

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.

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.

Mexico’s Culture Regions

Northern Mexico• Proximity to the border has

affected (changed or influenced) the region’s culture also.

• Legal/illegal border crossing

Mexico’s Culture Regions

Southern Mexico• Least populated & industrialized

region• Agriculture important there

• (coffee, sugarcane)

Mexico’s Culture Regions

Southern Mexico• Slash & burn agriculture (p. 179) is

common form of farming.

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.

Essential Question

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

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).