Landforms
the ocean that borders Mexico on the west
Pacific Ocean
This primary language is spoken by more people in Mexico than any other country in the world.
Spanish , Espanol
NAFTA, North American Free Trade Agreement
why do Mexicans celebrate May 5th (Cindo de Mayo)
to commemorate a Mexican victory over France in the city of Puebla (although Mexico still lost the war)
a person who comes into the USA without permission (illegally) or without legal paperwork.
Illegal Immigrant / Illegal Alien
the body of water that borders Mexico on the east (it is part of the Atlantic Ocean)
Gulf of Mexico
the largest ethnic group in Mexico (about 60%), a mixed race of people with European and Native American blood.
Mestizos
Religious leaders that were sent by the Catholic Church to Mexico to convert natives. (This is a primary reason why Catholicism is the largest religion in Mexico today)
Missionaries
The Mayans were well known for creating the first accurate version of what?
365-day CALENDAR
the term for workers from Mexico who come to the USA legally, to work for a specific period of time.
MIGRANT Workers
A Landform in the very southern part of Mexico, has a rainforest covering much of the land, it separates the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
the name for a Spanish explorer-soldier who came to Mexico and conquered natives.
Conquistador
Name the 4 "tierra climate zones" in order from hottest to coldest
1) Tierra Caliente
2) Tierra Templada
3) Tierra Frio
4) Tierra Helada
A prominent figure in Mexican history, was one of Mexico's first presidents. He gained fame as a Dictator and military general, he defeated the Texans at Battle of the Alamo, and eventually lost the war for Texas at San Jacinto,
Antonio Lopez de SANTA ANNA
What was the result of the U.S./Mexican war (what did US gain and Mexico lose?)
USA gained a huge chunk of territory/land that is now the southwestern part of USA (California, New Mexico, Arizona, etc.)
Landform on the northwest region of Mexico, very dry climate and is known for copper mining.
Sonoran Desert
about 30% of Mexicans belong to this Ethnic Group
Native Americans
The term for people who grow just enough food to feed themselves and their families.
Subsistence Farmer
The Mexican War for Independence (where they fought against Spain to become a free nation) was started by this rebellious Priest in 1810.
Father Miguel Hidalgo
Mexico has 31 States and 1 Federal District (just like how Washington D.C. is for the USA), what is the name of Mexico's Federal District?
Mexico City
the Gulf of California separates mainland Mexico from this peninsula (it's below California and has Pacific ocean to the west of it)
the Baja California Peninsula
This king of the Aztecs was conquered by Hernan Cortes in 1520.
Montezuma
ancient method for clearing forested land to be used for farming. 1000's of years ago Native tribes would chop down trees and set them on fire to clear the land and provide soil nutrients from the ashes.
Slash-and-Burn agriculture
this city is a busy commercial Port and cultural center. It is also the site where Hernan Cortes originally landed in 1519.
Vera Cruz
How does the per-capita income of Mexico compare to the USA?
Mexico's is 1/3 (one-third) the income of the USA.
Name the 3 "legs" of the Sierra Madre Mountains, and tell what larger mountain system they are part of?
Sierra Madre Occidental (West)
Sierra Madre Oriental (East)
Sierra Madre del Sur (South)
The Sierra Madre Mountains are part of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN system.
Name something that Mexico is the world's #1 producer of.
-Silver,
-Avocados,
-flat-screen tv exports. They assemble the TV's in the maquiladoras (factories) and then ship them all over the world.
a style of farming on step-like fields that are cut into the sides of mountains.
Terrace Farming
A plan for Independence written by Augustin de Iturbide, declaring him Emperor of Mexico, promising equal rights for all Mexicans, and making Catholicism the national religion.
Plan de Iguala
Why does Mexico City have such a horrible problem with Air Pollution?
Because of the very high population and all the cars, factories, that create smog. Then the mountains surrounding the city act like a bowl to keep the pollution from blowing away, and then because of the higher elevation the thinner air up high traps the smog like a bubble on top.