Name _______________________ Period __________ Date __________________
SS6G3: The student will explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution on Latin America and the Caribbean. a.
Compare how location, climate, and natural resources of Mexico and Venezuela affect where people
Mexico live and how they trade.
Northern Mexico consists of a high desert plateau with steep mountains on either side . The
Sierra Madre Mountain Range lies to the west . Mexico's capital city of Mexico City sits in the central plateau, where most of the population lives. Mexico City is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world! Northern and central Mexico have dry climates with little rainfall . Southern Mexico is a land of dense forests and a humid, tropical climate . Most of the people there are poor Indian farmers.
Write True of False
1.
True Mexico has many types of land and varying climates.
2.
True The Cierra Madre mountain range lies to the West of Mexico.
3.
True Northern and central Mexico have dry climates with little rainfall.
4.
True Southern Mexico is a land of dense forests and a humid, tropical climate.
The location, climate, and natural resources in Mexico affect where people have settled. Mexico does not have much farmland. Only about 12 percent of Mexico's land is suitable for farming. Mexico's dry climate with little rainfall also makes farming difficult in most areas . Mexicans have flocked to the cities in central Mexico to find jobs in factories. The population in Mexico City and the surrounding area has exploded in recent decades. Today, about 75 percent of Mexicans live
5.
surrounding area! v e i n Me x i co C ity and the
1.
Why is farming difficult in Mexico?
Mexico's dry climate with little rainfall also makes farming difficult in most areas.
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2.
Why has Mexico City grown so much ? Mexicans have flocked to the cities in central Mexico to find jobs in factories
Other Mexicans have settled in areas rich in natural resources so they can make a living from those resources. Northern Mexico is rich in minerals like silver, copper, lead, iron, and oil . Oil is Mexico's most valuable natural resource. Most of the oil is found along the Gulf of Mexico coast.
3.
What are Mexico’s natural resources?
Silver, copper, lead, iron, oil
4.
What is Mexico’s most important natural resource? Oil
5.
Where is most of Mexico’s oil found?
Most of the oil is found along the Gulf of Mexico.

Like Mexico, Venezuela has man y t y pes of landforms, from the Andes mountain peaks in the north to grassy plains in the central area to southern tropical jungles. The climate in
Venezuela i s gen e rally hot and humid, but is a bit coo l er in the mountains. Venezuela has a dis t inct rainy season from May to Novembe r .
Most Ve n ezuelans live along the coast of the Caribbean Sea and in the nearby mountain valleys. As in Mexico, most Venezuelans c itizens live in cities and to wns. M uch of the best farmland is held by la rge landowners in Venezuela, so there is not a lot of g ood, fertile l and for small farme rs . F or that reason, many citi z ens have moved to ci t ies like the capit a l city of
Caracas to find work.
Skills Check Write True or False.
1. True The Venezuelan climate is hot and humid.
2. False Venezuela is a very flat country.
3. True Oil is Venezuela’s most important natural resource.
4. False Most of Venezuela’s citizens are farmers.
5. True Caracas is the capital of Venezuela.
6. False Venezuela’s climate is dry year-round.
7. True Most Venezuelans live along the coast and nearby mountain valleys.
6.