7th Grade UBD - Unit 7 – Middle America

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.

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.

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.

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.

Most people who
live in Middle
America make their
living on farms and,
as a result, live in
rural areas.
Video- The Panama Canal

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.
Reading Activity- Eyewitness To History 21

Tourism is a major source of income for many of
the Middle American countries.

Tourism has many advantages and disadvantages:
 Advantages
o Regional economic options
o Clean industry
 Disadvantage
o Inauthentic representation of native cultures
Video-Violence Scares Away Tourists
1.
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?
Middle America contains the America’s least developed countries. New
1.
economic opportunities may help to what?

New economic opportunities may help to improve Middle America’s
poverty.
Most people who live in Middle America make their living on farms and,
2.
as a result, live in what types of areas?

Most of the population of Middle America live in rural areas.
The Panama Canal, cuts through Middle America and connects what
3.
two oceans?

The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

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.
Video- Mexico City Megacity
Key Term
Mexico CityThe capital city
of Mexico.

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.

Mountains cover much
of Mexico.

Many of the mountains
and canyons in Mexico
are rich with valuable
metals like silver and
copper.

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.

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.

The rain forests and
coastal wetlands of
eastern Mexico are
home to thousands
of tropical plant and
animals species.

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.
 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.

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.

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.

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.
Video- Mexico's Day of the Dead

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.

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 thirtysecond in education
worldwide.

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.

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.
1.
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?
On the Day of the Dead, one of Mexico’s holidays, people
1.
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.
For many Mexicans, the best chance for a better life lies in
2.
what country?

For many Mexicans, the best chance for a better life lies in the
United States.

What has been the
“muddiest” point so far in
this lesson? That is, what
topic remains the least
clear to you? (4 minutes)

Work with a
neighbor and
compare your
muddiest point with
theirs. Compare
what things are the
same and what
things are different?
(3 minutes)