Mexico

by Mr. Gianelli

Political Map

Physical Map

History Pre-1900• Pre-Colombian

o Olmec, Aztec, Toltec, Maya

• Spanish Conquistadorso Hernan Cortes

• New Spaino Hacienda Systemo Catholic Missionaries

• Independenceo September 16, 1810

• Battle of the Alamoo 1836

• War with United Stateso 1846-1848

History Since 1900• Porfirio Diaz

o Dictator of Mexico 1876-1911

• Mexican Revolution- 1910-1929o Peasant Uprisingo Poncho Villa & Emiliano Zapata

• Zimmerman Telegram- 1917o Germany asked Mexico to join them against the U.S. during

WWI

• Alvaro Obregono Became president in 1920o persecuted Catholic Church

• Secularization

• Cristero War- 1926-1929o Counter-revolution to fight Catholic oppressiono About 90,000 died

• One-Party Rule (PRI) 1929-2000• NAFTA- 1994• Vicente Fox (PAN) 2000-2006• Drug Cartel War

Government• Official Formal Name

“United Mexican States”• Federal Republic

o 31 Stateso 1 Federal District

• Capital- Mexico City• Independence from Spain

o September 16, 1810

• Constitution adoptedo February 5, 1917

• 3-Branch Governmento President- Enrique Pena Nieto (PRI)

• Took office Dec. 1, 2012• 1 six year term

o Supreme Court• Judicial review

o National Congress• Senate & Chamber of Deputies

Economy• Free market system• Money: $13.25 Pesos = $1 U.S.

Dollar• Member of NAFTA & free trade

agreements with 50 nations• GDP

o $1.7 trillion- 12th in the world

• Labor Force by Occupationo services: 62 % , industry: 23% ,agriculture: 13 %

• Agriculture Productso corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit,

tomatoes; beef, poultry, dairy products; wood products

• Industrieso food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel,

petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism

o Crude oil Production- 2.9 million barrels per day- 12th in world

• Exportso manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits,

vegetables, coffee, cottono 12% of U.S. Imports come from Mexico

• 51% live below the poverty line

People & Culture

• Population- 116.2 million• Ethnic Groups- 60 % Mestizo,

30% Amerindian, 9 % white• Language- 92 % Spanish• Religion- 82% Roman Catholic• Major holidays

o Día de la Constitución- Feb. 15o Dia de la Independencia- Sep. 16o Día de Todos los Santos- Nov. 1o Navidad- Dec. 25

• Arto Frida Kahlo

• Musico Selena

• Sportso Futbol

National Landmarks & Tourist

Attractions

• Mexico Cityo Aztec Ruins, museums, Colonial architectureo Azteca Estadio

• Chichen Itza, Yucatano Mayan Ruins

• Cabo San Lucas, Baja Suro Fishing

• Puerto Escondito, Oaxacao Surfing

• Acapulco, o Cliff Diving

• La Venta, Tobascoo Olmec Ruins

Current Events• Worry grows over Mexico

vigilante movemento Armed citizen patrols fighting drug

cartel violence join forces with a radical teachers union in Guerrero state opposed to an education reform law.• LA Times, April 11, 2013

• Mexico monarch butterfly population smallest in years, study sayso The amount of land occupied by the

migrating creatures shrank 59% from a year ago, scientists say. The decline could hurt tourism and the ecosystem.• LA Times, March 13, 2013

• Mexico scrambles as violence threatens tourism zoneso Mexican officials and trade executives

look for ways to minimize damage to tourism, an industry that is a top income-earner and employer in Mexico.• LA Times, Feb. 9, 2013