Mr. Boothby KEY
World Geography
Lecture Notes CH 18
Read pages 202-213 in your textbook before you begin to answer these questions. Remember to always answer by using complete
sentences. Keep this sheet in your notebook. Remember these must be in order by chapter to receive full credit on your NB Check!
For more stats go to: go.hrw.com
Mexico:
1. Mexico is officially called “The United Mexican States.” Its natural environments vary from desert in
the north to tropical forests in the south. Striking economic contrasts between wealth and poverty and
between modern cities and ancient villages exist throughout the country.
2. How does Mexico’s population compare to Spain? Where are there more Spanish Speakers
(Spain or Mexico)? Mexico has nearly twice the population of Mexico. Largest Spanish speaking population in the world.
3. Why is Mexico important to the USA and why in turn are we important to them?
Mexico is one of the USA’s strongest trading partners (3rd in the World) and Mexican Oil helps strengthen the USA transport and
industry.
4. What are the landforms of Mexico like? What is Tehuantepec?
5. How do Mexico’s Life Expectancy, literacy, and GDP compare to the USA?
What about these statistics stands out to you?
6. What are some of the prime Mexican “cash crops”?
Tomatoes, melons, cotton, wheat, and alfalfa MAJOR$$$CROPS: Coffee, sugarcane, cacao, bananas, and pineapple.
7. What is the climate like in Northern Mexico (From page 206)?
Desert or Semi-Arid Plateau
8. What are border town “maquiladoras” and who owns most of them?
These are small businesses/factories that are located within 20 miles or closer to the US border. There are 2,000 of these and the USA
owns 66.6% of them or over 1,200 of them!
9. Where is Tijuana and which US city is it a “megalopolis” of? Why is this taking place all over
the 2,000 mile Mexican/US border?
See page 206 Tijuana is nearly connected to San Diego, CA and this is due to $$$$$$$$$$
10. How has pollution become an issue in the border cities and which country takes advantage of
this situation? Mexicans fear we are “Americanizing” the north. We are poring waster into the border soil and water. Fresh
groundwater is rapidly disappearing. MEXIAN ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS ARE NOT ENFORCED IN MEXICO!!!
11. From the previous question list out at least 10 reasons why a business owner in the United
States would want to set up their factory south of the border. . MEXIAN ENVIRONMENTAL
REGULATIONS ARE NOT ENFORCED IN MEXICO/ Cheap hourly wages/ No need for insurance/
12. From page 208, what is Greater Mexico city like?
Although its only 100 miles across, 1/5 of the country live their/ Heavy modern industry/ One of the most populated and polluted
cities in the World/ Thousands of factories-Millions of Cars (More than the Portland Metro Area) and McDonalds etc…
13. What is Yucatan Peninsula area like and why does it receive a lot of tourists each year?
Very few live their today/ Ancient populations of the Maya were probably larger/ Crops work best their using ancient raised platform
techniques! The cities of Cozumel, and Cancum are primarily used as cruise stops and gain $$$ from tourists!
14. Where would be your favorite spot to visit in Mexico (Explain and justify your response in 56 sentences ON THE BACK OF THIS PAGE). Yucatan Peninsula for sure White Sands etc…
15. How did inflation really hurt tourism and the Mexican economy in the Mid-1980’s?
Things were twice as expensive to buy and it wasn’t as cheap to live or shop their= Less tourism for a few years. The peso to dollar
conversion dropped of and this also really hurt the Mexican economy, which basically went bankrupt!!!
16. What are some of the issues (sited in the text) that modern Mexico faces? Democracy / technology/
Working with and not getting taken advantage of (by) the USA!!!