Mr. Burton 7.3 Notes: Mexico Today

1. Mr. Burton 7.3 Notes: Mexico Today Please: Grab out a blank sheet of paper and a writing utensil.

2. Mexico Today • Mexico has four culture regions that all play a part in the country’s government and economy.

3. Mexico’s Government • Mexico is a democracy, but the same party ruled for 71 years. • A different political party came to power in 2000 when Vicente Fox was elected president. • Mexico’s government controlled most economic activity for many years, but today that has changed. • As a developing country, Mexico has challenges. • Debt to foreign banks • Unemployment • Inflation, a rise in prices that occurs when currency loses buying power • Mexico’s economy has been growing since 1994 when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) made trade with the U.S. and Canada easier.

4. Agriculture • Farms have long been a part of Mexican economy. • Only 12 percent of the land can be farmed. • Farmers practice slash-and-burn agriculture, burning forests to clear land for planting. • Farmers grow cash crops, crops that farmers can sell for a profit.

5. Industry • Major industries include oil, mining, and manufacturing. • Many foreign companies have built factories along the U.S. border because labor is cheaper. • Some Mexican workers come to the U.S. to look for jobs.

6. Tourism • Tourists visit old colonial cities and Maya and Aztec monuments. • Coastal cities are popular with tourists.

7. Different regions of culture • All Mexicans share cultural characteristics. • Yet, four regions differ in culture, population, resources, and climate: • Greater Mexico City • Central Mexico • Northern Mexico • Southern Mexico

8. Greater Mexico City • Includes the capital and 50 smaller cities • Has a population of more than 19 million • Second largest city in world • Huge, dense population causes problems. • Smog, a mixture of smoke, chemicals, and fog, created by factories and cars • Poverty

9. Central Mexico • North of Mexico City • Many cities established for ranching or mining during the colonial period • Colonial heritage: church near main central square, or plaza • Small family farms that grow vegetables, corn and wheat • Mining centers • New industries leading to rapid growth of cities

10. Northern Mexico • One of the country’s wealthiest and most modern regions • Trade with U.S. helping growth of economy • Has many maquiladoras, U.S. and foreign-owned factories • Influenced by American television, music, and culture • Residents crossing into the U.S. to shop, work, or live • United States tries to prevent illegal crossing

11. Southern Mexico • Least populated and industrialized region • Many Indian language speakers • Subsistence farming and slash-and-burn agriculture • Two major export crops: sugarcane and coffee • Increased oil production along the Gulf coast • Yucatán Peninsula: tourism to Maya ruins and beaches • Tiny fishing towns transformed to booming tourist centers