Human Geography of Latin America. First Nations Which civilization emerged in the Yucatan Peninsula?

Human Geography of Latin America

First Nations

Which civilization emerged in the Yucatan Peninsula?

What do you know about these people?

Time Period: 1492 to mid-1800s

Who was there before?

Mexico – Aztecs South America – Incas

Why were the Spanish able to conquer the natives so quickly?

“guns, germs, and steel”

Independence Movements

Mexico – 1821, starts domino effect of independence movements

Agustin de Iturbide

Cultural Contributions

Religion – Christianity (Catholicism)

Language – Spanish primarily, Portuguese, French, Dutch, English

European governments

European sports – Ex: Soccer

Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral

What is the dominant religion in Mexico?

Where did the dominant language come from?? The other languages?

Today’s Issues Income inequality – large gap between rich and poor. Also evident in land

ownership.

Maquiladoras

Many Mexican factories have been built along the U.S. border.

These factories assemble imported material into finished products and then export to the US.

Mexican Workers Today

Emigration- many Mexican workers leave Mexico for the United States in search of work. As a result, families experience separation from their loved ones.

What could cause such high pollution in Mexico City?

What are the top 2 countries Mexico exports to? Why?