Chapter 6, Lesson 1 Geography of Mesoamerica

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Chapter 6, Lesson 1Geography of Mesoamerica

• A Land of Rugged Mountains
• Mesoamerica extends from about the middle part
  of present-day Mexico to the central part of
  Central America.
• This land provides
• Jade a green stone

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Chapter 6, Lesson 1Geography of Mesoamerica

• Basalt black rock formed from slowly cooling
  lava used to carve huge statues.
• Obsidian a natural glass formed from quickly
  cooling lava brittle - can be easily chipped
  for making arrowheads and knives.

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Two main mountain ranges in northern Mesoamerica

• Sierra Madre Occidental
• Sierra Madre Oriental
• These mountains frame the Plateau of Mexico a
  plateau is a high, flat area The Central
  Plateau lies at the center.

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Two main mountain ranges in northern Mesoamerica

• Volcanoes lie south of the Plateau of Mexico
  produce basalt, obsidian, and fertile soil.
• A region of highlands lies farther south rugged
  land of steep ridges and gorges, or valleys.

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Climate of Mesoamerica

• Varied Climate
• Lack of rain has created desert conditions in
  some places.
• Enough rain falls to grow crops in other places
  maize (corn) beans, squash, and other crops

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Climate of Mesoamerica

• The land of Mesoamerica was hid by forests and
  trees for centuries.

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A Land of Lush Coasts

• The interior land of Mesoamerica is a land of
  rugged mountains and plateaus.
• Coastal lands along the Gulf of Mexico and
  Pacific Ocean vary from tropical rain forests,
  grasslands, rivers, swamps, and pine forests, to
  highlands and mountains.

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A Land of Lush Coasts

• The Yucatan Peninsula forms the southeastern
  border of the Gulf of Mexico.
• Made up of limestone
• Rainfall dissolves the limestone and over time,
  rainfall created many underground streams and
  caves.

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A Land of Lush Coasts

• Roofs of some streams have collapsed creating
  cenotes natural wells, or sink holes
  important for providing drinking water.

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A Land of Many Peoples

• Some people lived in the highlands and others in
  along the coasts.
• 3 main groups in Mesoamerica
• Olmecs
• Mayas
• Aztecs

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A Land of Many Peoples

• People of Mesoamerica had many things in common
• Advanced form of agriculture
• Built stone cities
• Used knowledge of astronomy to study outer space
  and develop accurate calendars
• Used hieroglyphic writing