Tenochtitl�n
The ancient Aztec capitol, site of Mexico City today.
Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)
The political party that introduced democracy to Mexico and maintained political stability for much of the 20th century.
NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)
A trade agreement that has created a huge zone of cooperation on trade and economic issues.
Cultural Hearth
A trade agreement that has created a huge zone of cooperation on trade and economic issues.
United Provinces of Central America
The name of Central America after they declared independence from Mexico.
Panama Canal
A ship canal cut through Panama connecting the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Inca
Quechen people of South America who built a civilization in the Andes Mountains.
Mercosur
Economic common market made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Treaty of Torsedillas
Treaty between Spain and Portugal that gave Portugal control of Brazil
Carnival
The most colorful feast in Brazil
What was the Spanish attitude toward Aztec culture?
They didn't appreciate it because they did conquer them and destroyed their capital.
What are maquiladoras?
They are factories that assemble imported materials into a finished product.
In terms of who settled there, how is the Caribbean different from Mexico and Central America?
The Caribbean is different because the Mayans where there and because the Spanish brought African slaves unlike Mexico.
Which two parts of the economy provide most of the income in Central America and the Caribbean?
Commercial farming and trade
What are some of the most important export crops in the region?
Sugar, bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, and spices.
Which countries are full members of Mercosur?
Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina.
Which countries have literacy rates higher than 90%?
Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.
What happened to the Inca language after the Spanish Conquest?
The Spanish forced them to speak their language
What is the ethnic makeup of Brazil?
Portuguese,Natives, and Africans.
What is the ethnic makeup of Brazil?
What are some of the darker aspects of life in Brazil today?
Crime waves and drug abuse are resulted due to the wage gap between the rich and poor
Biodiversity
Wide range of plants and animals species.
Deforestation
Cutting and clearing trees.
Global Warming
The warming of the atmosphere and change of weather patterns.
Debt-For-Nature Swap
When an organization agrees to pay off a certain amount of govt. debt in return for the govt. to protect a portion of rainforest
Oligarchy
A government run by few people or a group
Junta
A government run by the military after a military takeover.
Caudillo
A military dictator or political boss.
Land Reform
Distributing land amongst the farmers to create balance.
Why is the rain forest an important global resource?
The vegetation helps clean earth's atmosphere, regulate climate, and several million of species.
What are some of the reasons the rain forest is being cleared?
Demand for timber, search for fertile land, and land for livestock.
What is one mission of the grassroots organizations in the rain forest
To educate people on the value of the rain forests.
Who are some democratically elected leaders in this region?
Vicente Fox.
What are some of the elements upon which democracy depends?
Political and economical stability
What sorts of reforms are essential to stable democracy in the region?
Political, economical, and land reforms.