The Big Idea

• Mexico has four culture regions that all play a part in the country’s government and economy.

Main Ideas

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

• Mexico has four distinct culture regions.

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

• Mexico is a democracy, but the same party ruled for 71 years.

• A different political party came to power in 2000 when Vicente Fox was elected president.

• Mexico’s government controlled most economic activity for many years, but today that has changed.

• As a developing country, Mexico has challenges.– Debt to foreign banks– Unemployment– Inflation, a rise in prices that occurs when currency loses buying power

• Mexico’s economy has been growing since 1994 when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) made trade with the U.S. and Canada easier.

Main Idea 1

Mexico’s Economy

Agriculture

•Farms have long been a part of Mexican economy.

•Only 12 percent of the land can be farmed.

•Farmers practice slash-and-burn agriculture, burning forests to clear land for planting.

•Farmers grow cash crops, crops that farmers can sell for a profit.

Mexico’s Economy

Industry •Major industries include oil, mining, and manufacturing.

•Many foreign companies have built factories along the U.S. border because labor is cheaper.

•Some Mexican workers come to the U.S. to look for jobs.

Mexico’s Economy

Tourism

•Tourists visit old colonial cities and Maya and Aztec monuments.

•Coastal cities are popular with tourists.

Main Idea 2: Mexico has four distinct culture regions.

• All Mexicans share cultural characteristics. • Yet, four regions differ in culture, population,

resources, and climate:– Greater Mexico City– Central Mexico– Northern Mexico– Southern Mexico

Mexico’s Culture RegionsGreater Mexico City

• Includes the capital and 50 smaller cities

• Has a population of more than 19 million

• Second largest city in world

• Huge, dense population causes problems.– Smog, a mixture of smoke, chemicals, and fog, created by

factories and cars

– Poverty

Mexico’s Culture Regions, continued

Central Mexico• North of Mexico City• Many cities established for ranching

or mining during the colonial period• Colonial heritage: church near main

central square, or plaza• Small family farms that grow

vegetables, corn and wheat• Mining centers • New industries leading to rapid

growth of cities

Mexico’s Culture Regions, continuedNorthern Mexico

• One of the country’s wealthiest and most modern regions• Trade with U.S. helping growth of

economy• Has many maquiladoras, U.S. and

foreign-owned factories• Influenced by American television,

music, and culture• Residents crossing into the U.S. to shop,

work, or live• United States tries to prevent illegal

crossing

Mexico’s Culture Regions, continuedSouthern Mexico

• Least populated and industrialized region• Many Indian language speakers• Subsistence farming and slash-and-burn

agriculture• Two major export crops: sugarcane and

coffee• Increased oil production along the Gulf

coast• Yucatán Peninsula: tourism to Maya ruins

and beaches• Tiny fishing towns transformed to booming

tourist centers