Mexico is located on the continent of North America. Most Geographers do not consider Mexico a part of Central America.
Mexico is in North America. Map
of Mexico
Mexico is an immense area flanked by mountain ranges, low coastal plains, desert landscapes, and snow-capped volcanoes. Two of the highest volcanoes ( Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl)
are near Mexico City. Mountain ranges fall sharply off to narrow coastal plains in the West and East. The Sierra
Madre Occidental is in the west and the Sierra
Madre Oriental is in the east., which meet in the Southeast.
Plants
Because of the wide range of temperature, the plants of Mexico are extremely varied. In the North are cactus, yucca, agave, and mesquite. There are tropical jungle in some areas.
The tomato is native to western South America and Central America. The English word tomato comes from the Spanish word, tomate, from the Nahuatl language (Aztec language) of Central Mexico. It was changed to tomagte in Spanish and then changed to tomato in English.
Animals
National Animals of Mexico: Golden Eagle (national bird), Xoloitzcuintli (national dog), Grasshopper (national arthropod), Jaguar (national mammal), Vaquita (national marine mammal), and Green turtle (national reptile).
Many different cultures existed in various parts of Mexico: the Olmecs, the Teotihuacans, the Maya,
the Mixtecs, the Zapotecs, the Tarascans, the Totonacs and the Aztecs.
Maya Ruins
A photographic tour of several fascinating archaeological sites in Mexico, Guatemala and Belize.
Maya Adventure
The Science Museum of Minnesota web site highlights science
activities and information related to ancient and modern Maya culture.
*The Post-Classical Period 900-1521 CE
The Aztecs were an advanced native population in Mexico.
Ancient Mexico
Interactive map about the Aztecs, Mayas, and the predecessors.
A flash presentation of the "Fall of the Aztecs" and more.
Aztecs referred to themselves as the Mexica or Tenochca. A small,
nomadic tribal people. The Aztecs finally settled on small islands in
Lake Texcoco (modern-day Mexico City).
The Aztec Calendar
The Aztec civilization developed an amazing calendar that was even
more accurate than the one we use today.
Hernán
Cortés A Spanish adventurer and conquistador who overthrew the Aztec empire
and claimed Mexico for Spain (1519-21).
* 1800's
Mexico fights for and wins independence from Spain in 1821.
In 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico. Mexicans and Texans battle at the Alamo and San Jacinto.
The Alamo
Read documents, background history, the events leading up to the siege and about the heroes and legends such as Davy Crockett and Sam Houston.
In 1836, the USA wins the Mexican-American war and gains Mexican territory including what are now: Nevada and Utah, parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado.
The battle of Puebla in 1862 was the victory of the Mexican Army over the French. The holiday Cinco de Mayo honors this battle.
* Artist
Diego Rivera
Considered the greatest Mexican painter of the twentieth century.
Smithsonian Institution--Corridos sin Fronteras Mexico has recorded her triumphs, defeats, determination, and daily
life through narrative songs called corridos. Listen and sing along
to songs from a timeline of Mexico's history.
Mexican Regional listen to the Music of Mexico at National Geographic
Decorative Studded Beaded Dish
Need: paper plates, paper cups, seed beads or paint.
Use a large sturdy paper plate. Draw a simple flower design in the
center of the plate with a pencil. Add a wavy design around the rim.
Pour white glue into paper cups. Paint a thick layer of glue into the
petals of the flowers. Carefully drop colored seed beads onto the
glue petals. Glue seed beads in the center of the flower.
Paint glue over the wavy line. Drop seed beads onto the glue. Let the
glue dry overnight. Shake to remove any loose beads.
The children could also paint the flower and wavy line designs on the
paper plates.
Yarn Art Painting
Need: posterboard or cardboard, yarn in bright colors
Draw a simple picture on cardboard (a picture of something from
nature works great such as a butterfly). Brush on glue. Then lay yarn
on the lines. Fill in the picture with yarn in squiggles and circles.
There are many festivals in Mexico where people like
to dress up. Many people wear big hats called sombreros. Mexican
Sombrero Craft (need adult help with this)
Mexican Recipes
A variety of recipes. Corn is one of the most important foods in Mexico. The
basis of native Mexican cooking was, and still is, corn-made tortillas.
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