Cultural Geography of Latin America

Sec. 1: MexicoContent Vocabulary

Important Geographical Feature

Population Patterns

History and Government

Culture

CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY OF LATIN AMERICASection 1: Mexico

• Indigenous: native to a place

• Mestizo: refers to people of Native American and European descent

• Urbanization: the movement of people from rural areas into cities

• Megacity: a city with more than 10 million people

• primate city: a city that dominates a country’s economy; usually the

capital

• Glyph: picture writing carved in stone

• Chinampas: floating farming islands made by the Aztec

CONTENT VOCABULARY

VOCAB CONTINUED • Conquistador : Spanish term for “conqueror,” referring to soldiers who conquered

Native Americans in Latin America

• Viceroy: representative of the Spanish monarch appointed to enforce laws in colonial

Latin America

• Caudillo: a Latin American political leader from the late 1800s to the present day,

often a military dictator

• Syncretism: a blending of beliefs and practices from different religions into one faith

• Malnutrition: faulty or inadequate nutrition

• Mural: wall painting

• Mosaic: picture or design made with small pieces of colored stone, glass, shell, or

tile

• Extended family: household made up of several generations of family members

IMPORTANT GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

A. Mexico

B. Yucatán Peninsula

C. Mexico City

D. Tenochtitlán

Ethnic groups, migration, and urban growth have shaped population in Mexico.

Population Patterns

• The indigenous groups of Mexico thrived in different areas, such as:– The Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula

– The Aztecs of the southern part of the Mexican Plateau

•Mexico is the world’s most populous Spanish-speaking country.

• Migration has shaped Mexico’s population:

Population Patterns (cont.)

– External migration to other areas of the world

– Internal migration to urban areas, resulting in rapid urbanization

Native American empires and colonial rule influenced Mexico’s political and social structures.

History and Government

• Different people have ruled Mexico over the years:– Maya Empire

– Aztec Empire

History and Government (cont.)

• The Spanish gained power in 1521 by defeating the Aztecs.

• Mexico defeated the Spanish in 1821.• Today, the Partido Accion Nacional (PAN)

is in power after defeating the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI).

• Political power struggles still continue today.

The arts, traditions, and beliefs of indigenous peoples and of Europeans have influenced Mexican culture.

Culture

The culture of Mexico is an intricate blending of indigenous and Spanish influence:

• Language—Spanish is spoken by more than 90% of the population.

• Religion—90% of the population is Roman Catholic.• Education—rural schools do not have the funding that

urban or private schools receive. • Health care—it is subsidized, but of poor quality.

Culture (cont.)

• The arts—indigenous cultures and the Spanish colonial influence are evident.

• Family life—Mexicans highly value the family, and often live with extended family.

• Sports and leisure—bullfighting, soccer, baseball, and jai alai are popular sports.