Middle America7th Grade UBD - Unit 7 – Middle America

Preview

Middle America- Middle America is a fragmented

realm that consists of all the countries from Mexico to

Panama and all the Caribbean Islands.

Mexico- Few nations on Earth support as many plant

and animal species as Mexico does. Mexico is a country

rich in natural resources, like oil, silver, copper, and

agricultural products. But political and economic

failings have kept much of the population in poverty.

Key Ideas- Middle America

Most people who live in Middle America make their living on farms and, as a result, live in rural areas.

Tourism is a major source of income for many Middle American countries.

The Panama Canal cuts through Middle America and connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Ships use the canal, making Panama a crossroads of world trade.

Key Term

Middle America - A region of southern North America comprising Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean's.

Introduction to Middle America

This realm contains the America’s least developed countries.

New economic opportunities may help to improve Middle America’s poverty.

It has a diversity of languages.

Middle America is all the land between the United States and South America.

Introduction to Middle America

In terms of total size, Middle America is not very large.

What Middle America lacks in size it makes up in complex and beautiful geography and cultural diversity.

It has volcanoes and spectacular shorelines, tropical forests, barren deserts, and scenic islands.

Middle America

Most people who live in Middle America make their living on farms and, as a result, live in rural areas.

The Panama CanalVideo- The Panama Canal

Trade The Panama Canal, cuts through

Middle America and connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Ships from both hemispheres use the canal, making Panama a crossroads of world trade. The canal made possible the exchange of both goods and ideas.

Key Term

Panama Canal- A canal about fifty miles long, across the Isthmus of Panama, that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Key Term

Isthmus- A narrow strip of land with sea on either side, forming a link between two larger areas of land.

Eyewitness To HistoryReading Activity- Eyewitness To History 21

Tourism Tourism is a major source of income for many

of the Middle American countries. Tourism has many advantages and

disadvantages: AdvantagesoRegional economic optionsoClean industry

Disadvantageo Inauthentic representation of native cultures

Violence Scares Away TouristsVideo-Violence Scares Away Tourists

Questions1. Middle America contains the America’s least developed

countries. New economic opportunities may help to what?

2. Most people who live in Middle America make their living on farms and, as a result, live in what types of areas?

3. The Panama Canal, cuts through Middle America and connects what two oceans?

Answers

1. Middle America contains the America’s least developed countries. New economic opportunities may help to what?

New economic opportunities may help to improve Middle America’s poverty.

2. Most people who live in Middle America make their living on farms and, as a result, live in what types of areas?

Most of the population of Middle America live in rural areas.

3. The Panama Canal, cuts through Middle America and connects what two oceans?

The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Key Ideas- Mexico

Spanish is the official language of Mexico. It is spoken by nearly the entire population of Mexico.

The Mexican government offers free education for children ages six to fourteen go to school. It has both public and private schools available.

Mexico is a country with great problems and great potential. But political and economic failings have kept much of the population in poverty.

Mexico City MegacityVideo- Mexico City Megacity

Key Term

Mexico City- The capital city of Mexico.

Geography

Mexico is a land of extremes, with high mountains and deep canyons in the center of the country, sweeping deserts in the north, and dense rain forests in the south and east.

Geography

Mountains cover much of Mexico.

Many of the mountains and canyons in Mexico are rich with valuable metals like silver and copper.

Nature

Few nations on Earth support as many plant and animal species as Mexico does.

Mexico is located partway between the Equator and the Arctic Circle, it is a refuge for animals fleeing extreme cold in the north and intense heat in the south.

Nature

In northern Mexico, deserts are full of plant and animal species that have found ways to survive the harsh environment.

On Mexico's west coast, gray whales swim thousands of miles each year from Alaska to breed in the waters off California.

Nature

The rain forests and coastal wetlands of eastern Mexico are home to thousands of tropical plant and animals species.

People and Culture

Spanish is the official language of Mexico. It is spoken by nearly the entire population of Mexico.

Mexico is the product of a rich Indian heritage, three centuries of Spanish rule, and a shared border with, the United States.

Today, most Mexicans are mestizos.

Key Term

Mestizos - A person of mixed racial ancestry, especially of mixed European and Native American ancestry.

People and Culture Mexican culture is known for the unified nature of the

family. The country’s divorce rate is among the lowest in the

world. Children regularly live with their parents until they marry. Mexican family units stay connected. Often,

grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and children live in the same area or even in the same house.

People and Culture

Throughout its history, Mexico has been home to great artists.

The Maya and other Indians made impressive murals, sculptures, and jewelry.

Modern Mexican artists include great painters, photographers, sculptors, and muralists.

People and Culture

Mexicans take sports seriously. In ancient times, losers of a ritual ball game were once put to death.

In some dangerous sports, like bullfighting competitors still put their lives on the line.

People and Culture

One of Mexico’s holidays is the Day of the Dead. People visit their loved ones that have died. Family members go to the graves and bring flowers and make candy with names of loved ones on it.

Mexico's Day of the DeadVideo- Mexico's Day of the Dead

People and Culture

Fiestas are big celebrations that include fireworks, dancing, and lots of food.

Piñatas are big decorations that you can hit with a stick and candy and toys fall out.

Key Term

Fiesta- An event marked by festivities or celebration.

Education

Mexico has a free education and public and private schools.

Children ages six to fourteen go to school. They start at 8:00 am and finish at 1:00 pm.

Mexico is ranked thirty-second in education worldwide.

Government and Economy

Mexico is a country with great problems and great potential.

It is rich in natural resources, like oil, silver, copper, and agricultural products.

But political and economic failings have kept much of the population in poverty.

Government and Economy

The Mexico-United States border is the largest economic divide on Earth.

For many Mexicans, the best chance for a better life lies in the United States.

Hundreds of thousands of Mexicans come to the U.S., legally and illegally, each year in search of work.

Questions1. On the Day of the Dead, one of Mexico’s

holidays, people visit their loved ones that have died. Family members go to the graves and bring what to remember those who have passed away?

2. For many Mexicans, the best chance for a better life lies in what country?

Answers1. On the Day of the Dead, one of Mexico’s holidays,

people visit their loved ones that have died. Family members go to the graves and bring what to remember those who have passed away?

Family members go to the graves and bring flowers and make candy with names of loved ones on it.

2. For many Mexicans, the best chance for a better life lies in what country?

For many Mexicans, the best chance for a better life lies in the United States.

Independent Activity

What has been the

“muddiest” point so

far in this lesson? That

is, what topic remains

the least clear to you?

(4 minutes)

Partner Activity Work with a

neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)