“A Blending of Cultures” Chapter 10

Human Geography of Latin America

Places & Terms Spanish Conquest: The conquering of the

Native Americans by the Spanish. Tenochtitlan: Ancient Aztec capital Mestizo: People of mixed Spanish & Native

American heritage Maquiladoras: Factories in Mexico that turn

imported materials into finished products for export.

NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement

Native Americans & the Spanish Conquest The rich fabric of native life in Mexico was torn apart

by the Spanish conquest. In 1519 Hernando Cortes landed on the coast of Mexico & marched until he reached the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan (present day Mexico City). By 1521 he & his soldiers had conquered the Aztecs.

Until 1821 Mexico remained apart of the Spanish Empire.

Spanish influence still remains in Mexico with it’s language & Catholic religion.

Mexico has large mestizo population – people of mixed Spanish & Native American heritage.

Economics: Cities & Factories Mexico continues to struggle with two main

economic challenges. 1. Attempting to close a long-standing gap between

the rich & the poor. (Haves & Have Nots) 2. Attempting to develop a modern industrial

economy. Many people are moving to the cities seeking

jobs, largely abandoning their farming roots. Most factories or Maquiladoras’ are located

along the border of the US. (Why? Think NAFTA)

Places & Terms Cultural hearth: Heartland or place of origin of a

major culture. Panama Canal: Ship canal cut through Panama

connecting the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean.

Reggae: Music developed in Jamaica in the 1960’s. Blends African, Caribbean, & American music often dealing with social and religious problems.

Calypso: Music developed in Trinidad and blends elements of Africa, Spain, & the Caribbean.

Central America is know as a cultural hearth as well as a crossroads.

The Mayan Indians built a great civilization that spread throughout the region. What exactly happened to the Mayan people still remains very much a mystery.

Although Central America was ruled by Spain, the Caribbean was settled & claimed by many European powers. In addition, with disease brought over by the

Europeans that killed many of the native peoples, Africans were brought over to work as slaves further blending the cultural exchange.

Sugar remains an important crop in the Caribbean to this day as well as citrus fruits.

The Panama Canal connects the two great oceans making Panama a crossroads of world trade.

French-English-Dutch-Spanish-Danish Colonies

Places & Terms Inca: People of South America who built a

civilization in the Andes Mountains. (conquered by Francisco Pizarro in 1533)

Quechua: Language of the Inca Empire. Now spoken in the Andes highlands.

Mercosur: Economic common market that began operating in the southern cone of South America in 1995. (think NAFTA for South America)

One of the greatest civilizations of the Americas arose in the rugged Andes Mountains of Peru. They were later conquered by Francisco Pizarro in 1533.

The Mercosur Trade Group Economic common market that began in

South America in 1995. Goals include:

Make member economies more stable Increase trade within the region Channel some profits to groups who need it

most

Places & Terms Treaty of Tordesillas: Treaty between Spain &

Portugal in 1494 that gave Portugal control over the land that is present day Brazil.

Carnival: The most colorful feast day in Brazil.(think Mardi Gras)

Samba: Brazilian dance with African Influences.

Capoeira: Martial Arts dance developed in Brazil from African influences.

The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) gave Portugal control over much of the land that became present-day Brazil. South America became a continent divided into the Spanish speaking west & the Portuguese-speaking east.

Brazilian Life Today The most colorful feast day in Brazil is

Carnival. Floats and parade through the streets of Rio de Janeiro and people dance to the music of the samba.

There is a widening gap between the rich & the poor much like other Latin American countries resulting in crime waves and drug abuse.

Please take out a piece of notebook paper and a pen or pencil…..

1. The Aztec Empire fell under the rule of Spain as a result ofa. Diffusionb. the Spanish Conquestc. the Free Trade Agreementd. manufacturing

2. The Aztec city that became the site of Mexico City was calleda. Augustinb. Juarezc. Texcocod. Tenochtitlan

3. NAFTA is an important trade agreement that promotes economic prosperity ofa. Mexico, the US, and Spainb. Mexico and Spainc. Mexico and the USd. Mexico, Canada, and the US

4. An important Central American water route that connects the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean is the a. Suez Canalb. Panama Canalc. Mississippi River Deltad. Juarez Waterway

5. A place of origin of a major culture is known asa. cultural crossroadsb. calypsoc. cultural hearthd. samba

6. Conquered the Inca Empirea. Pizarrob. Cortesc. Columbusd. Magellan

7. A feast day celebrated with floats that parade through Rio de Janeiroa. Thanksgivingb. Mercosurc. Halloweend. Carnival

8. Agreement that divided South America between Spain and Portugala. Treaty of Tordesillasb. Treaty of Versaillesc. Warsaw Pactd. Treaty of Paris

9. Which of the following was developed to make South American member nations economies more stablea. Quenchuab. United Provinces of Central America c. Mercosurd. National Action Party

10. Panama was an excellent choice to build a canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans because of itsa. historyb. culturec. economyd. geography