Mexico (social studies)

Elementary Academics

1. Social Studies 6
th
Grade

2. Key Terms
Land bridge
Service industry
Subsistence farm
Mestizo
Adobe
Peninsula

3. The Land
Mexico forms a land bridge, or narrow strip of
land that joins two larger landmasses. This land
bridge connects North America and South
America.
Mexico is a peninsula, or piece of land
surrounded by water on three sides.
Mexico was once called “land of the shaking
earth” because of its many earthquakes.
Mexico’s climate is hot and humid in the lower
valleys and cooler in the mountain tops.

4. The Economy
Service industries
strengthen the
country’s economy. A
service industry is a
business that provides
services to people
instead of making
goods.
Banking and tourism
are Mexico’s main
service industries.

5. …Economy cont.
Although rich in minerals, Mexico is poor in
fertile land.
Central Mexico is the economic heart of the
country, home of Mexico City.
In the south are subsistence farms,small plots
where farmers grow only enough food to feed
their families.
Tourism is also important in the south with
beautiful beaches.
Mexico has become less a country of farms and
villages and more of a country of factories and
cities, this is a result of industrialization.

6. The People
60% of Mexico’s
people are mestizos.
Mestizos are people
of mixed Native
American and
European ancestries.
Mexican homes are
usually made of
adobe, or sun-dried
clay brick.

7. …People cont.
Every village has a marketplace where
families sell or trade clothes, food,
baskets, or pottery.
For celebrations, Mexicans throw fiestas.
Fiestas are festivals that include parades,
fireworks, music, and dancing.
Soccer is the country’s most popular
sport.

8. The Food
Traditional
Mexican food
combines Spanish
and Native
American cooking.
Corn has always
been the most
important food in
Mexico.

9. …Food cont.
Mexicans make tortillas, a thin flat
cornmeal bread shaped by hands and
cooked on a griddle.
A folded tortilla filled with vegetables,
cheese, beans, and meat becomes a taco.
Tacos are not only a favorite Mexican
food, they are also enjoyed by many
Americans.

10. Mexican Wrap Up
The culture of modern
Mexico mixes old and
new art, music, and
literature grown from
Native American,
Spanish, and Mexican
roots.
Por Favor, Adios!