Mexico – Scavenger Hunt
Vocabulary: vertical climate zones, seismic, mestizo, conquistador, cash crop, syncretism, maquiladora
Physical Geography of Mexico: p.194-197
1. How has the seismic activity of the “Ring of Fire” shaped the landforms of Mexico?
2. Describe the Mexican Plateau and its importance to Mexico in terms of agriculture.
3. Where is population density greatest? Why?
4. Draw and label the Vertical Climate Zones of Mexico. Translate the names of the climate zones to English
below your drawing.
5. Which to resources are very important to Mexico’s economy?
Human Geography: p.198-204
1. What two ancient civilizations arose in Mexico? Where were they located?
2. What did the Spanish conquistadors take from Mexico back to Spain?
3. What political change happened in 1821?
4. How did the arrival of the Spanish change indigenous cultures?
5. What were missions, presidios, and haciendas? What purpose did each serve?
6. Why is Mexico City so important to the country of Mexico?
7. How do traditional Mexican families live?
8. Why is there a huge gap between the rich and the poor?
9. What is NAFTA, and what are some of its effects?
Use the CIA World Fact Book to complete the chart below:
Demographics of Mexico
Total Population
- Global Rank (Comparison to
World)
0-14 years:
15-24 years:
Age Structure
25-54 years:
55-64 years:
65 years and over:
Median Age
Population Growth Rate
Birth Rate
Death Rate
Life Expectancy
- Global Rank
Literacy (Total Population)