Mexico

Mexico

Geography of Mexico

Poll

Can you see a volcano being "born?"

• Yes

• No

Well, that’s exactly what happened in Mexico in 1943!

There was a farmer named Dionisio Pulido. One day, while he was working in his cornfield, he noticed something strange… the ground began to crack. Then, out of the cracks, smoke started rising. The next morning, a tiny cone of ash and lava had appeared—right in his field! That tiny hill grew faster than anyone could believe.

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​Volcanoes

Over the next week, the little hill turned into a volcano. Over nine years, it erupted and grew more than 1,300 feet tall. Lava flowed, and ash covered the nearby villages. People had to leave their homes, but scientists from all over the world came to study it. And the amazing part? Nobody was killed by the eruption. It was the first time in history that a volcano’s entire life cycle was witnessed and studied from the very beginning.

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​Volcanoes

Parícutin isn’t the only volcano in Mexico. In fact, Mexico is full of amazing geographic features—towering mountains, long coastlines, deserts, rainforests, and yes… LOTS of volcanoes.

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​Volcanoes

The official name of Mexico is “The United Mexican States.” In Spanish, it is Los Estados Unidos Mexicanos. 31 states make up the nation.  Mexico City is the capital of Mexico.

Mexico shares a 1,933-mile border with the United States.

The United States, Canada, Mexico, and the countries of Central America are on the continent of North America. Canada is to the north of the United States, and Mexico is to the south.

Mexico: Introduction

And right in the middle of the country sits the capital: Mexico City. It’s huge—one of the biggest cities in the world, built on what used to be a lake and once home to the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán.

Mexico City - Capital

Now let’s look at the water around Mexico. To the east, Mexico touches the Atlantic Ocean. But before the Atlantic, you hit a giant bowl of sparkling blue called the Gulf of Mexico—sometimes called the Gulf of America. Warm water, hurricanes, and lots of fishing happen here

To the west, Mexico meets the Pacific Ocean, home to waves, sea creatures, and long coastlines

Oceans & Water Borders

Part of the border between Mexico and the United States is a river that has two names. Mexicans call the river Río Bravo, and people in the United States call it Rio Grande. Both names mean that it is a large and mighty river. In fact, it is the longest river in Mexico and the fifth longest in all of North America.

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Rio Grande River

Every year, thousands of people from all over the world visit the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. A peninsula is a piece of land with water around it on almost all sides.
The Yucatán Peninsula sticks out into the Gulf of Mexico, at the southern tip of Mexico. The Yucatán Peninsula has beaches with white sand and bright blue water. Underwater divers come to explore the coral reefs of the Yucatán.
The Yucatán is also home to Mexico's rainforest!

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Yucatan

More than 200,000 species of plants and animals can be found in Mexico.  In mountain forests full of pines, firs, and oaks, bears and mountain lions stalk their prey.  Jaguars hunt in the rain forests.  There, colorful birds like quetzals and parakettes fly from treetop to treeptop.  Coyotes roam among cactuses in the northern deserst.  The deserts are also home to Gila monsters, iguanas, rattlesnakes, and other reptiles. 

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Plants and Animals

Multiple Select

What would you see if you traveled through Mexico? Select MULTIPLE Answers

• Rivers

• Volcanoes

• Beaches

• Peninsula

• Glaciers

Dropdown

The​

Select answer

borders Mexico to the north.

Running like a giant backbone down the country are the Sierra Madre Mountains—the Sierra Madre Occidental on one side and the Sierra Madre Oriental on the other, with the Sierra Madre del Sur below. These mountains shape Mexico's climate, wildlife, and even where people live

Mexico's Mountains

So, much of Mexico is covered by tall, rugged mountains. And some of these mountains are not just mountains—they’re volcanoes.

Mexico has around three thousand volcanoes, though only a few are active. One of the most famous is Mount Popocatépetl, often called El Popo. It is one of the highest volcanoes in the country—almost 18,000 feet tall! Its name means ‘smoking mountain,’ and it truly lives up to it.

Mexico's Mountains

In December 2000, El Popo erupted, shooting hot, molten rock high into the air. About 30,000 people living nearby had to temporarily leave their homes for safety. Today, tens of millions of people live within 50 miles of this volcano, which means a future eruption could be even more serious.

Mexico's Mountains

Mexicans face another danger from the land.  Earthquakes can destroy their cities and homes.  

A 1985 earthquake killed nearly 10,000 people in Mexico’s capital, Mexico City, even though the earthquake’s center was about

Earthquakes

You can understand why there are so many earthquakes here if you know that Mexico is one of the countries that border the “Ring of Fire.”

Earthquakes and volcanoes are common along the Ring of Fire.

Ring of Fire

Lesson: Take a Trip to Mexico!

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Multiple Choice

What two natural dangers do people in Mexico face?

• Tornadoes and floods
• Volcanoes and blizzards
• Landslides and droughts
• Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions

Multiple Choice

Studying the relationship between the environment and humans is which theme of geography?

• Place

• Location

• Region

• Human-Environment Interaction

Multiple Choice

What is the name of the region with a high concentration of volcanoes and earthquake activity?

• Belt of Destruction
• Seismic Belt
• Volcanic Zone
• Ring of Fire

Altitude, or height above sea level, affects temperature in Mexico.  The higher the altitude, the cooler the temperatures.

Mexico’s mountains create altitude zones.  You could travel through all of these zones in a day’s trip across the Sierra Madre.

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​Land of Many Climates

Thanks to its tropical climates and fertile soil, Mexico is one of the largest coffee-producing countries in the world, and the largest producer of organic coffee, accounting for 60% of world production in 2000.

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​Land of Many Climates

Mexico is the birthplace of cacao, the plant that gives us chocolate! Its scientific name, Theobroma cacao, means “food of the gods.”  Chocolate lovers must think that’s the perfect name. 

Columbus brought the first chocolate “seeds” to Europe.  Spaniards had incredible sweet tooths, so they came up with a sweet, hot chocolate, which became the rage.  (It was also a great disguise for poison, a popular to do your enemies in!)

Eventually, cacahuatl took on a solid form - candy.

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Chocolate!!

Drag and Drop

​

Placeholder

is a food originally found in Mexico.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Chocolate

Sushi

Pasta

Curry

Mexico's economy is like a big machine made up of many parts that work together. Here are some key points to help you understand it:

​Diverse Industries: Mexico has a variety of industries, including agriculture (growing crops), manufacturing (making goods like cars and electronics), and services (like tourism and restaurants). This mix helps keep the economy strong.

Economy of Mexico

Mexico is known for trading with other countries, especially the United States. They exchange goods like cars, avocados, and electronics. Trade agreements help make this easier and boost the economy.

Mexico's biggest trade agreement is USMCA. USMCA stands for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. It's a trade deal between three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It was created to make trade between these three countries easier and fairer. It helps businesses sell their products and create jobs.

Economy of Mexico

Drag and Drop

Lesson: Take a Trip to Mexico!

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Categorize

Options (6)

a

Correctly match the economic industries to the right categories.

Agricultural

Industrial

Tourism

Multiple Select

Which countries are included in the USMCA deal? (Select all that apply)

• United States

• Mexico

• Cuba

• Canada

• California

DAILY LIFE

In Mexico, family is one of the most important parts of life. Many families are large, and it’s common for people to live close to their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Because of this, families often spend a lot of time together, whether it’s for meals, birthdays, holidays, or community events. Traditions play a big role in family life—things going to church, or gathering for special meals help families stay connected.

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Family Life

Daily routines in Mexican families can be a little different from what students are used to in the United States. For example, lunch—called la comida—is often the biggest and most important meal of the day. When possible, family members try to come home from school or work to eat together.

Kids usually have responsibilities at home, like helping with younger siblings, sweeping, washing dishes, or bringing home groceries. Respect for parents and elders is a big value in Mexican culture

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Family Life

Mexican children start school when they are 6 years old.  They must go to elementary school for 6 years and middle school for 3 more years.  Students take classes in reading, writing, math, science, and history.  In some schools, students study English or other languages.  Students in Mexico do not have to attend high school. Some go to work instead to help support their families.
Students who continue their education can choose between two different kinds of schools. 

Some high schools prepare students to go to college.  Others offer training for specific jobs they can start after graduating.

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Going to School

In rural parts of Mexico, daily life is often closely connected to the land and the community.
Many families work in agriculture, growing crops like corn, beans, squash, coffee, or fruit. Some families raise animals such as goats, chickens, or cattle. Because of this, mornings often start early, with chores like feeding animals, watering plants, or helping prepare food.

Children in rural areas usually attend local schools, but they also often help their families before or after school.

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​Urban or Rural?

Today in Mexico, most families live in urban areas, which means cities or large towns. Over the past few decades, many people have moved from rural areas to cities to find jobs, go to school, or have access to more services. Cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey are home to millions of people and are full of businesses, apartments, public transportation, and schools.

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​Urban or Rural?

CULTURE OF MEXICO

Mexican culture is a unique mixture of Native and Spanish traditions. Culture is a group of people's shared history and beliefs. Traditions are ways that people celebrate their culture that are passed down to others. Thousands of years ago Mexico was ruled by powerful ancient cultures-mainly the Aztecs and the Mayans. In the 1500s Spanish explorers came to Mexico to claim new lands for Spain. They conquered the Natives and brought their own culture, religion, and traditions with them.

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Mexico has no official religion; however, about 95% of the people are Roman Catholic.

The Virgin of Guadalupe is the nation’s patron saint.  Every year, hundreds of thousands of worshipers make a pilgrimage to her shrine in Mexico city.

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​Religion

The official language of Mexico is Spanish, and Mexico is the world’s largest Spanish-speaking nation with over 79 million people who speak it. (Spain has only 38 million).
Spanish is the dominant language of Mexico, but it is not the only language spoken there. There are about 370 languages and dialects found in the country.

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Language

Mexico is known for a certain type of painting called a mural. 

This is where an artist paints a large picture on the wall of a building. 

Many of these paintings use bright colors and are displayed on the outside of buildings so people walking by can see them.

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ART

Music is also popular in Mexico. 

A common type of band is called a mariachi band, and this is where several musicians sing together and play instruments such as violins, guitars, and trumpets. They often wear black suits with designs sewn in, and large hats as well.

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MUSIC

Mexicans take sports seriously. In ancient times, losers of a ritual ball game were once put to death. 

In some dangerous sports, like bullfighting and rodeo (which was invented in Mexico), competitors still put their lives on the line.

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SPORTS

Despite historical connections to traditional sports, Mexico's real national pastime is  futbol (soccer).

 English miners introduced football to Mexico at the end of the 19th century. By 1902 a league had already emerged. Since then, it spread across the country and grew in popularity.

Mexico’s national football team ranks as one of the best in Latin America and it qualified for 15 FIFA World Cups. The country also hosted the World Cup tournament twice, in 1970 and 1986.

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Football

Mexican food is famous all over the world. The main meal is in the middle of the day. Before the meal, Mexican people say "buen provecho" to the other diners. This means "enjoy your meal." The corn tortilla is a staple of the Mexican diet. Various fillings in tortillas create such popular foods as quesadillas, enchiladas, and tacos.

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Eating the Mexican Way

Multiple Choice

Which is the dominant language spoken in Mexico?

• Spanglish

• Spanish

• German

• English

Multiple Choice

What is the dominant religion practiced in Mexico?

• Buddhism
• Hinduism
• Protestantism
• Catholicism

Multiple Choice

Mexico is known for art that is painted or applied directly to a wall, known as

• street art
• fresco
• mural

• canvas art

Multiple Choice

Which statement is true of Mexico.

• Mexican people do not like sports.

• Mariachi music comes from Mexico.

• Rap music originated from Mexico.

• Potato salad is a popular food in Mexico.

CELEBRATIONS

Holidays in Mexico are special days that celebrate the different traditions that have been passed down for hundreds of years. Some holidays are national celebrations when most people get the day off work or school. Some of these holidays are religious celebrations such as Easter or Christmas. Some celebrations are family occasions such as birthdays, name days, and Mother's Day.

Mexican Independence Day is a patriotic, national holiday celebrated every year on September 16. The people of Mexico will celebrate it with military parades and fiestas throughout Mexico.

​Mexican Independence Day

Skeletons are scary, right? Not if you're celebrating Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

The holiday, which is celebrated mostly in Mexico on November 1 and 2, is like a family reunion—except dead ancestors are the guests of honor. 

Day of the Dead is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory.

Day of the Dead

First, people set up a candlelit altar in their homes so spirits can find their way back to their relatives. 

The altar also offers some of the favorite foods of the deceased—just in case they get hungry. 

Items that were important to the ancestors when they were alive, such as a favorite book or musical instrument, are placed on the altar as well.

Then it's off to the graveyard for a big party. Families bring a huge feast to eat while they clean tombstones, sing songs, and talk to their ancestors. Parents might even introduce a baby to a grandparent who died before the baby was born.

Ofrenda

And don't forget the skeletons. During Day of the Dead, life-size papier-mâché skeletons and miniature plastic or clay skeletons are everywhere. Why? 

Mexicans honor their ancestors on Day of the Dead, but they're also reminding themselves that death is just a part of life. Hanging out with skeletons reminds people that one day they will be skeletons—but not for a very long time!

The skeletons are posed doing all sorts of wacky things, such as playing guitar, taking a bath, or making tortillas.

Skeletons

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La Llorona – the crying woman – is a Mexican legend that is at least 500 years old. It no doubt arrived in Texas with the earliest Mexican settlers. And La Llorona has haunted Texas rivers, lakes and streams ever since, particularly in the border regions. There are dozens of versions.

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LEGENDS

Mexico, like the United States, is a Federal Republic, where citizens elect their leader. The people of Mexico elect a new president every 6 years.

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​GOVERNMENT

Drag and Drop

Lesson: Take a Trip to Mexico!

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Labelling

Mexico's government is run by a Constitution.  Answer the following questions based on your knowledge of the U.S. Constitution. 

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

Legislative

ten

amendment

Executive

constitution

Judicial

three

POVERTY: A significant number of people in Mexico live in poverty, which means they struggle to afford basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter.

Violence and Crime: There are problems with violence, especially related to drug trafficking. Some areas have gangs that fight over territory, which can make communities unsafe.

Corruption: Corruption in government and law enforcement can make it difficult for people to trust their leaders.

Environmental Issues: Mexico has issues with pollution, deforestation, and climate change, which can impact agriculture and health.

​CHALLENGES

Millions of tourists visit Mexico every year.  Many come for the beautiful beaches and clear blue waters.  Others enjoy exploring the ruins of the ancient ruins.  Some visit Mexico for the culture, the food, and the fiestas!  How would you spend your time in Mexico?