Mexico Geography, History, and Culture: Key Facts and Concepts

Deserts, tropical forest, and cool highlands

What does Mexico's climate and vegetation include?

A high, mostly rugged region called the Mexican Plateau

What does Mexico's interior landscape consist of?

The Sierra Madre

What makes up the mother range?

Gods or rulers

What did the Olmec sculptures sometimes represent?

The humid southern coast of the Gulf of Mexico

Where did the Olmec live?

Uxmal

Where does the Maya pyramid stand?

They studied the stars and made a detailed calendar

What is one scientific achievement of the Mayans?

Tenochtitlán

What is the Aztecs capital?

Through conquest

How did the Aztecs build their empire?

Mestizos

What is the term for one with European and Indian ancestry?

Mulattoes

What is the term for one with European and African ancestry?

Missions

Where were church outputs known as?

Learned native languages and taught the Indians Spanish

What did priests do at missions?

Catholic priest named Miguel Hidalgo

Who led the revolt against Spanish rule?

Got rid of special court for members of the church and the military and passed reforms for a democratic government

What did Benito Juarez do?

90% are Roman Catholic

What is the main Spanish religion in Mexico?

A holiday remembering and honoring dead ancestors

What is the Day of the Dead?

November 1 and 2

When do Mexicans celebrate Day of the Dead?

The practice of burning forest to clear land for farming

What is slash and burn agriculture?

Crops that farmers grow mainly to sell for profit

What is a cash crop?

Greater Mexico City, Central Mexico, Northern Mexico, and Southern Mexico

What are Mexico's cultural regions?

A mixture of smoke, chemicals, and fog

What is smog?

Huge expanse of farm or ranch land

What is a hacienda?

General increase in cost of goods and services

What is inflation?

A land of different territories led by one person

What is an empire?

Due to its varied climates and historical importance, including Mayan, Aztec, and Olmec ruins/monuments

Why is Mexico a common tourist destination?

Sugar candy skulls, chocolate coffins, and sweet breads shaped like bones

What foods do they eat on the Day of the Dead?