GEOGRAPHY: The Land and the People: MEXICO

La geografia de un pais affecta el desarrollo del pais.  Explica.

[How does the geography of a country affect the development of that country?]

La geografia de un pais affecta su gente.  Explica.

[How does the geography of a country affect the people of that country?]

Cenote Cho-ja – Quintana Roo

A cenote is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater. The term originated on the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, where cenotes were commonly used for water supplies by the ancient Mayans.

This cenote is very well maintained by the local community that owns it. You will find showers and bathrooms to use before entering and man-made stairs to get into the underworld where the cenote is situated.

It’s called the cathedral (La Catedral) for the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites formation that gives it the look of a cathedral. 

Geography has handicapped Mexico’s economic and political development in several important ways:

1. Because of its rugged landscape of mountains and steep canyons, Mexico has no navigable rivers but it does have 5,799 miles of coastline with 76 seaports. 
2. In terms of capital-generating capacity, coastal regions are said to be a poor second when compared to lands with navigable rivers. Rivers are not susceptible to ocean storms and tidal surges.
3. Only thirteen percent of Mexico’s land is arable. Of this arable land, only a small percentage is irrigated. Despite mild temperatures, only one crop a year can be planted in much of the country because of the long, dry winter season.
4. Rugged mountains cut off Mexico’s coastal plains from its arable lands (“bread basket”) on the High Plateau. In recent years the government has invested heavily in a highway network to move people and products. 

 Copper Canyon in Mexico is considered a significant part of the country's economy, primarily due to its growing tourism industry, which brings in revenue through visitors who come to experience the stunning canyon landscape and the unique culture of the indigenous Tarahumara people living in the region; 

Geography has an impact on how people live from the resources they have access to to how they move through the world.  Their history, risks and comfort are all determined by where they sit on the map.

1. It impacts the resources you have access to (and their quality)

2. It determines how you (and goods) travel

3. It influences your culture: Nature has long since been a source of inspiration for poets, writers, songwriters and artists throughout history, and the products of their creativity often become a lasting part of our culture. 

4. It might put you at risk or keep you safe: Depending on where you live, you may be aware of geographic risks that a person in another country may not ever face (e.g.tsunamis in Thailand, avalanches in Switzerland, droughts in the Middle East)  The risk of natural disasters also impacts creativity and development -- like a new building technology developed in Japan to stop buildings from crumbling in earthquakes.

5. It can often determine your history : If you live in a country that has natural resources like oil, diamonds, copper, cobalt, for example, chances are other countries want those resources too.  Often this can be the difference between living in a peaceful nation and surviving a war.

Piensa en estos conceptos y haz conexiones:

• RESOURCES [recursos]
• TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION [viajar y transporte]
• CULTURE [cultura]
• RISKS [riesgos]
• HISTORY [historia]