1. D: 11/5/12
A: Notes on Mexico Today
S: What is life like in Mexico
today?
H: None
w.o.d: haciendas
Warm-up: Answer questions 1 & 2 on
pg. 171. Write the questions and
answers.

2. Word of the Day
WORD DEIFINTION SENTENCE PICTURE
Huge
Farmlands Peasants
granted by the and Indians
haciendas Spanish usually
monarch to
worked on
Favored
people in
the
Spain’s Haciendas
colonies. in Mexico.

3. I. Mexico’s Cities & Villages
a. At the center of cities in Mexico is a plaza or
public square
i. Church
ii. Government center
b. In poorer sections of town people build
house out of boards, metal or cardboard
c. Many homes are made of adobe, straw and
tile.

4. II. Mexican Culture
a. Art
i. Murals and writings reflect
the values of Mexican people

5. II. Mexican Culture
b. Food
i. corn, chocolate, tomatoes and
chilies were all native to Mexico
ii. Spain brought beef, chicken,
cheese and olive oil that Mexicans
added to their cooking
iii. Tortillas made of flour or corn can
be mixed with meat, beans,
vegetables, cheese and spicy chills
to make tacos & enchiladas

6. II. Mexican Culture
c. Music
i. Mariachis play the violin, guitar,
horn and bass in bands
ii. Today music has become fast
paced rhythms with singing

7. II. Mexican Culture
d. Celebrations
i. Fiestas include parades, fireworks, music
and dancing
ii. Mexican Independence day – Sept 16th
iii. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated for the day
when Mexico defeated the invading
French army.
iv. November 2 is called Day of the Dead
when people honor dead loved ones

8. III. Mexico’s Economy
a. Agriculture
i. Corn, beans, wheat & rice
b. Exports
i. coffee, cotton, vegetables, fruit,
livestock & tobacco
c. Industry & Manufacturing
i. Cars, consumer goods, steel,
clothing & oil

9. Mexico’s Economy
d. Natural Resources
i. petroleum & natural gas
e. Service Industries
i. banking & tourism
f. Free Trade
i. NAFTA with Canada & the US

10. IV. Mexico’s Government
a. Federal Republic where power is
shared between state & federal
governments. Ran by a president
how has more power than the
judicial & legislative branches

11. V. Mexico’s Challenges
a. Population
i. Cities are becoming over crowded and poor
ii. Migrant workers are going to the United States
b. Foreign Investment & National Debt
i. Mexico took out loans from other countries and have
not paid them back
ii. Debt is making their economy suffer
c. Pollution
i. Smog or fog and chemicals mixed together cover the
cities
ii. Rio Grande has been compromises with chemicals and
is now the most polluted river in North America