Vocabulary for Mexico
Latin America – all land south of the US
Middle America – Mexico, Central
America, and Caribbean Islands
Sierra Madre Mountain Range – surrounds
the Central Plateau in Mexico
Central Plateau – largest land region in
Mexico
Vocabulary
Yucatan Peninsula – a peninsula off the southeast
coast of Mexico; splits the Gulf of Mexico from
the Caribbean Sea – Maya lived here
Baja Peninsula – a long peninsula off the
northwest coast of Mexico; it is separated from the
mainland of Mexico by the Gulf of California.
Sonoran Desert – a desert in northwestern Mexico
near the US border
Vocabulary
Aztecs - early Native American civilization of
Mexico
haciendas – large ranches
Roman Catholic – Mexico’s major religion
Spanish – the official language of Mexico
fiesta – Spanish word for festival
Father Miguel Hildalgo – father of Mexican
Independence
Our Lady of Guadalupe – patroness of the
Americas
Key Terms
Land bridge
Subsistence
farming
Adobe
Peninsula
The Land
Mexico is located on the continent of North
America, south of the US.
Mexico is bordered by the US to the north,
Guatemala and Belize to the south, the Gulf of
Mexico to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the
west.
Mexico was once called “land of the shaking
earth” because of its many earthquakes.
Cities
Mexico City – capital
city and most
populated city in the
Western Hemisphere
Acapulco –major
seaport for shipping &
cruise lines; large
tourist resort
Cities
Guadalajara – second most populated city;
located in central eastern Mexico; center of
culture, history, economy and industry.
Climate
Mexico’s climate is hot and humid in the
lower valleys and cooler in the mountain
tops.
Mexico’s rainy season is May to October.
The Economy
Service industries
strengthen the
country’s economy. A
service industry is a
business that provides
services to people
instead of making
goods.
Banking and tourism
are Mexico’s main
service industries.
Economy
The manufacturing of
cars, textiles and
processed foods are other
industries important to
Mexico.
Mexico is the world’s
leading producer of silver.
Oil is Mexico’s most
important natural
resource.
…Economy cont.
Although rich in minerals, Mexico is poor in
fertile land.
Central Mexico is the economic heart of the
country, home of Mexico City.
In the south are subsistence farms,small plots
where farmers grow only enough food to feed
their families.
Tourism is also important in the south with
beautiful beaches.
Mexico has become less a country of farms and
villages and more of a country of factories and
cities, this is a result of industrialization.
The People
60% of Mexico’s
people are mestizos.
Mestizos are people
of mixed Native
American and
European ancestries.
Mexican homes are
usually made of
adobe, or sun-dried
clay brick.
…People cont.
Every village has a marketplace where families
sell or trade clothes, food, baskets, or pottery.
For celebrations, Mexicans throw fiestas.
Fiestas are festivals that include parades,
fireworks, music, and dancing. Cinco de
Mayo (May 5th) is a Mexican national holiday.
Soccer is the country’s most popular sport.
The Food
Traditional
Mexican food
combines Spanish
and Native
American cooking.
Corn has always
been the most
important food in
Mexico.
…Food cont.
Mexicans make tortillas, a thin flat
cornmeal bread shaped by hands and
cooked on a griddle.
A folded tortilla filled with vegetables,
cheese, beans, and meat becomes a taco.
Tacos are not only a favorite Mexican
food, they are also enjoyed by many
Americans.
Mexican Wrap Up
The culture of modern
Mexico mixes old and
new art, music, and
literature grown from
Native American,
Spanish, and Mexican
roots.
Por Favor, Adios!