Section 1, Chapter 9
1. Latin America’s Native American Empires have made contributions to the region’s cultural development consisting of-
*Agriculture and Trade based economy
*Accurate calendars to predict eclipses
*Glyphs- pictures carved in stones
*Grew crops on chinampas- floating “islands” made of large rafts
*Highly structured class systems- with the emperor and military officials at the top & farmers, laborers and soldiers at the bottom
2. European rule influenced Mexico’s political and social structures by defeating them in 1521 and introducing viceroys, a government with appointed officials at the top. Later after a power struggle the caudillo emerged, also called a dictator. The Europeans also created a syncretism in Mexico, a blend of Roman Catholic and Mayan beliefs.
Section 2, Chapter 9
1. The dominant religion of the Latin American Region is Roman Catholic.
2. The ethnic groups of the Caribbean and Central American Population consist of- Europeans, Native Americans, Cubans & Spanish.
Section 3, Chapter 9
1. The biggest problem the region faces in relation to the urbanization of its population is the brain drain. A brain drain is the loss of the regions more highly educated and skilled workers to the other countries.
2. In the region of South America the two factors that determine the quality of health care are- stable economies and high standards of living.
Creative Writings:
1. Mexico’s Sporting activities are influenced by the Spanish because they strongly think fútbol is the most important game. Fútbol is the most important game in Mexico because of the Spaniards who conquered it in 1521 by claiming the Aztec empire brought their culture with them. Fútbol is the Spanish version of American Soccer.
2. The explorer by the name of Balboa discovered some interesting things about the geographic features of Panama. He explored the New World with Rodrigo de Bastidas. He was able to trade his European goods for a large quantity of pearls and gold. He tried to make a living as a farmer, in panama. Balboa then ventured into the neighboring region of Coiba, where he became friends with a local chief. Balboa’s crossed through the densest rain forest in the world, and was the first European to look out to what would soon be the eastern shore of the pacific. He noticed the rough waters of the Strait of Magellan and the sea in area of the southern tip of Tierra Firme, was very calm. This discovery of the Pacific Ocean opened the way for the exploration and conquest of Central and South America, along its coast.
3. My family is deciding to move to a city from our home of a rural area in South America. I am against this decision because I have grown up here. I do not want to go with them because everything will be so busy and just not the same. I know they just want the best for their children and for us to have a better life than they did but we are doing just fine, except I don’t get to go to school often because I’m a girl. Since I’m a girl I must stay home and help mother do things around the house while my brother goes to school then comes home to help father in the fields. I would only go if I would be able to go to school, but I doubt I will be able to.
