MEXICO:The Economy

Economic Regions Manufacturing and Mining = important! Service Industries also important. Service Industry: a business that provides

services to people instead of making goods. Banking & Tourism

Geography of Mexico influences the econ. How? 3 major economic regions

The North, The South and Central Mexico

Central MexicoThe economic center of Mexico.Home to more than ½ population.Climate = good for agriculture.Large industrial cities = Mexico City

and Guadalajara help economy grow.Mexico city has 24 million people and

is center of Mexico’s government.

The North The North econ region includes Baja & the

northern part of the Plateau. Irrigation aids in farming this land for:

Cotton, fruits, cereals, vegetables Vaqueros (cowhands) ranch the area

Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs Largest city = Monterrey = Steel Production

Mine = copper, silver, lead, zinc Many work in Maquiladoras = Factories

Cars, computers, stereos, other electronics

The South The South is from Mexico city to the

Yucatan Peninsula Poorest economic region of Mexico. Most are Subsistence Farmers: who

grow just enough for their families. Wealthier farmers in the Basins grow

coffee or sugarcane on Plantations: large farms that grow and sell a single crop.

Tourism is also important to this region.

Economic Challenges Over the years, Mexico has

Industrialized: where industry has replaced farming as it’s major economic activity.

Several problems arise as a country industrializes, Mexico has faced many.

Economic Challenges Pollution: The Smog: fog mixed with

smoke and chemicals, clouds in between Mexico’s mountain ranges.

Pollution can make people sick // Schoolchildren wear masks to school.

Farmers burn the forests to make room for crops, but less trees = less oxygen renewed.

Economic Challenges Population Changes: Mexico’s population

is growing 2x as fast as the USA. Diet and healthcare improvements =

people are living longer. Mexico does not have enough jobs for it’s

large population. Many have left the country in search of

work.

Economic Challenges Free Trade: in 1993 = Mexico, USA, &

Canada approved the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

This agreement lets goods and money travel more freely between the 3 countries.

Many hoped that NAFTA would increase Mexico’s economy and create jobs.

Assignment Please read about the Maya on pg. 163 and

answer question #1 in a complete sentence and #2 using the Elephant Paragraph format: Introduction sentence Supporting information sentence Supporting information sentence Outside information sentence Concluding sentence

*NOTICE THAT #2 ASKS 2 QUESTIONS*