Middle America- Test Review

Regional Atlas- page 146 and 147

What is the largest country in this region?

• Mexico

• Costa Rica

• Panama

• Cuba

Answer explanation

Mexico is the 13th largest country in the world.

Regional Atlas- page 148 and 149

Which is one of the famous mountain ranges Middle America?

• Sierra Madre Oriental

• Sierra Madre Occidental

• Alps

• Sierra Madre Del Sur

Answer explanation

The mountain system of Mexico is called the Sierra Madre. It consists of the Sierra Madre Occidental (to the west), the Sierra Madre Oriental (to the east), and the Sierra Madre del Sur (to the south).

Regional Atlas- page 150 and 151

Cuba has an ______ type of climate.

Answer explanation

The climate of Cuba is: defined as tropical, seasonally humid, with maritime influence and semi-continental features. Rainy period runs from May to October. It is characterized by the influence of the North Atlantic Anticyclone, with few variations of the weather. Dry season extends from November to April.

Lesson Three

A _____ is a Spanish explorer who conquered territory.

Answer explanation

Some conquistadors were heard about were: Christopher Columbus, Vasco Nunez de Balboa, and Hernan Cortes.

Lesson Three

What were Spanish in search of?

• Famous people

• Gold and riches

Answer explanation

The Spanish were searching for gold and riches. They also wanted to spread Christianity to around the world. (They didn't mind the extra land and free labor they got, as well.)

Lesson Three

Who helped Cortes recruit thousands of native warriors?

• Christopher Columbus

• Moctezuma

• Malinche

• Vasco Nunez de Balboa

Answer explanation

Malinche was an interpreter for Hernan Cortes and helped provide him details that ultimately helped him fight and beat the Aztecs.

Lesson Three

Why did Spanish conquistadors go to war with the native peoples of Middle America?

Answer explanation

They wanted to gain riches, land, and to convert the native people to Christianity.

Lesson Three

Many American Indians died due to diseases from Europe. What fraction?

• 6/10

• 7/10

• 8/10

• 9/10

Answer explanation

Between 1519 and 1540,the population of American Indians went from 26 million to less than 2 million.

Lesson Three

Describe the encomienda system.

Answer explanation

The encomienda was a grant from the Spanish government that gave colonist the right to demand labor or tribute from nearby American Indians.

Lesson Three

Draw out the social classes (hint: American Indians and people of African descent were at the very bottom)

Answer explanation

Peninsulares were given high jobs in government and churches. Creoles owned plantations, ranches, and mines. The graph is missing mulattoes who were below mestizos. The mulattoes were people of African and European descent.