Geography and Civilizations of Mexico

Location and Geography of Mexico

• Located in North America, south of the US
• Bounded by the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean, Guatemala, and Belize
• Mountainous terrain, high plateaus, low coastal plains, deserts
• Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, with volcanic mountains
• Diverse climates, from tropical to desert

Indigenous Civilizations of Mexico

• Earliest civilizations emerged around 2500 BCE
• Mayan culture, one of the oldest in the region, appeared around 2500 BCE
• Olmec culture possibly predated the Mayans; its influence on other cultures is debated
• Other important civilizations include the Toltec, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, and Aztec
• Spanish colonization began in the 16th century

Modern Mexico

• Population: 130 million people (2021 est.)
• Major language: Spanish (inherited from Spanish colonization)
• Predominant religion: Roman Catholic (80%)
• Highly urbanized: over 80% of the population lives in urban areas
• Capital: Mexico City (17% of national population)
• Political system: Federal presidential republic, with a constitution from 1917
• Divided into 32 states

Notable Pre-Columbian Civilizations

• Olmec: Considered the "mother culture" in Mesoamerica, located in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, flourished 1200-500 BCE, known for colossal stone heads, pyramids, and mounds.
• Maya: Located in Southern Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, flourished around 250 CE, advanced calendar system, astronomy, hieroglyphic writing, elaborate structures (pyramids, palaces, observatories).
• Aztec (Mexica): Originated in northern Mexico, built Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City), controlled many city-states by the 15th century, known for human sacrifice, sophisticated political, trade, and religious systems.

Spanish Colonization and Independence

• Spanish colonization lasted roughly 300 years (16th century)
• Hernán Cortés led the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in 1521
• Catholic missionaries arrived to convert the population in 1523.
• Enslavement and European diseases decimated the indigenous population (estimated 24 million deaths by 1605)
• Mexico's independence movement began in 1810 with the revolt led by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
• Mexican Independence declared in 1821 (Iguala Plan)
• Became a federal republic in 1824

Mexican-American War

• Texas declared independence from Mexico in 1836 (after Mexican govt. moved to suppress state rights).
• US annexed Texas in 1845
• Border disputes led to war in the 1840s
• Mexico ceded significant territory to the US (parts of present-day California, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Wyoming)

Modern Political Landscape

• Diverse political parties, with two dominant players: PRI and PAN
• PRI held significant power until 2000, but has since faced challenges involving corruption and fraud
• Recent history reflects a significant blend of indigenous and European traditions

Mexican Demographics

• Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Indigenous/Spanish) are the largest group, with significant Indigenous and other groups as well.
• Languages: Predominantly Spanish (93.8%); Indigenous languages are also spoken.
• Religion: Roman Catholic (78%), Protestant/Evangelical Christian, other, and unaffiliated.
• Life Expectancy (2021): 76.94 years
• Literacy Rate (2020): 95.2%
• School life expectancy (2019): 15 years

Mexico City

• Capital of Mexico
• One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Americas
• Became Tenochtitlan, the largest city in Mesoamerica
• Conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century
• Became a center for government administration
• Important city during the Mexican-American War, with US invasion to finalize treaty
• Large population (22 million)
• Significant economic impact, contributing to a quarter of Mexico's GDP
• Combines historic colonial architecture with modern development

Explore the rich geography and indigenous civilizations of Mexico through this informative quiz. Discover how the diverse landscapes, from mountains to coastlines, shaped ancient cultures like the Mayans and Aztecs. Learn about modern Mexico's demographics and urbanization.