Mexico

Our Neighbor to the South

Geography

The country of Mexico is divided into 31 states.

Geography

Mexico is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is bordered by the United States to the north and Central America to the south.

Geography

Mexican states that border the United States:

Baja California

Sonora

Chihuahua

Coahuila

Nuevo Leon

Tamaulipas Can you locate these Mexican states on a map?

MexicoMexico is a country characterized by peninsulas, deserts, plateaus, and mountain ranges.Due to Mexico’s proximity to the equator, its climate is mostly hot.

Look here for more information about Mexico’s beautiful landscape ! http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/mexico/

Landforms of Mexico

Mexican PlateauSierra Madre

OrientalSierra Madre Occidental

Baja CaliforniaYucatan

Peninsula

Can you locate these features on the map ?

Water Features of Mexico

Can you locate these water features on the map ?

Gulf of MexicoGulf of CaliforniaPacific OceanRio GrandeCaribbean Sea

Natural Resources in Mexico

Scenic beaches !!!Cancun and Acapulco

Also : Petroleum, oil

Natural gasMinerals (silver, gold,

copper, lead, zinc)

Economic Activities

Tourism Mining Farming Service industry Factories Trade

Mexico is a member of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) – a trade alliance between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Cultural Characteristics

Mexico’s culture reflects its indigenous Indian civilizations, Spanish colonization, and struggle for independence.

Many indigenous peoples were enslaved or killed during the Spanish conquest.

Early Settlement by native peoples (Olmec, Maya, Aztec)

Most people in Mexico speak Spanish

Spanish invasion and colonization (1519- 1821)

Mexico City is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Early Aztec Sun Calendar

History of Mexico

Today this city is known as Mexico City .

Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, was built on an island in Lake Texcoco in 1325.

Chichen Itza

These Mayan ruins, located on the Yucatan Peninsula, include incredible Mayan pyramids.

History of Mexico

Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan is a large archaeological site

located about 25 miles (40 km) north of Mexico City. It is famous for its

large pyramids dedicated to the sun

and the moon, but the site also contains

beautiful murals and carvings and several

museums through which you can explore

the city's fascinating history.

Historic Timeline of Mexico

Check out this historic timeline of Mexico !

http://www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/history/interactive-timeline.html

Let’s Review !

Click on “Kids,” click on Mexico on the map, and

enjoy !

Check out these activities to review what we have learned about Mexico !

http://www.exploreandmore.org/world/default.htm