Chapter 8: MexicoSection 2

A Blend of Traditions

Plaza of Three Cultures• The plaza in Mexico City contains

the ruins of the an Aztec City, a Spanish colonial church, and modern government buildings.

• This one location demonstrates the extensive blending of cultures in Mexico.

Plaza of Three Cultures

People and Lifestyle• The majority of Mexican people

are descendents of mestizos.

• The official language is Spanish

• Most Mexicans are Roman Catholic

Urban Life• Over ¾ of Mexico’s people live in

urban areas.

Urban Life• The wealthy generally live outside

of the city in prosperous neighborhoods.

• The poor generally live near the city center many times in poor conditions.

Rural Life• Most of Mexico’s rural population

live in small houses, often only having one room and dirt floors.

Rural Life• Rural areas have few healthcare

services, roads, or schools.

• Many people move from rural areas to the city, but once there they become squatters.

Squatters• People who settle on unoccupied

land without having legal claim to it.

Mexican Art• After the Mexican Revolution,

Mexican art experienced a great awakening.

Mexican Art• Artists created murals, or wall

paintings, depicting scenes from Mexican history.

Celebrations

• Mexico’s Independence Day is September 16 and celebrates Mexico’s Independence from Spain.

Celebrations• Cinco De Mayo is May 5 and

celebrates the Mexican army defeat of the French in 1862.

Celebrations• Day of the Dead is November 1

and 2 to honor family members who have died.

Pinatas• Believed to have originated among the

Aztecs, Mayans, and other native peoples of Mexico, who made clay pots in the shape of their gods.

Pinatas• The pots were meant to be

broken forcefully with poles and sticks, so the contents spilled to signify abundance or favors from the gods.

Pinatas• Others believe they

came from China to Italy. Then carried to Mexico by conquistadors.

Sports• The number one sport in Mexico

is soccer.

Sports• Jai alai is a growing sport in

Mexico. It is a ball game played in a three-walled court.

Jai alai

Chapter 8 Section 3

Creating a New Economy

Agricultural Exports

• Tomatoes are the number one vegetable export of Mexico.

• Most of them coming to the United States.

Mexico’s Economy• Traditionally Mexico’s economy

has depended on agriculture and mining.

Mexico’s Economy

• Since the 1940s Mexico has become more industrialized.

Mexico’s Economy• Mexico is the world leader in

silver mining

• Their most profitable industry is oil production.

Maquiladora • Is a factory that assembles

imported materials into a finished product that is then exported.

• Many of these factories have recently popped up near the U.S. border. Maytag

Maquiladora Mexico signing NAFTA in 1992 has

aided in these new factories growing.

Mexico’s ChallengesMexico has two major challenges

facing it:

• Pollution

• migration out of the country

Mexico’s Challenges• Mexico’s rapid industrialization

has greatly contributed to pollution. Cities such as Mexico City experience very bad air pollution.

Mexico’s Challenges

• Many Mexicans move to the U.S. in search of better economic activity. Many enter the U.S. illegally and risk dangerous border crossings.