Countries Of The World: Mexico By National Geographic Kids, adapted by Newsela staff on 06.07.18 Word Count 659 Level MAX Image 1: The pyramids of Guachimontones in Jalisco, Mexico. Mexico is a country filled with forests, deserts, beaches and plenty of history. Its culture is rooted in the ancient civilizations of the Aztecs and Mayans. Photo from: Getty Images/Sollina Images. Mexico is a land of extremes, with high mountains and deep canyons in the center of the country, sweeping deserts in the north and dense rainforests in the south and east. Mexico has many mountains and four major mountain ranges. The Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range is in the east. The Sierra Madre Occidental is in the west. Between these ranges lie the deserts and dry scrublands of the Central Plateau. A mountain range with very high volcanos runs across the central part of the country from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. These regions are rich with valuable metals such as silver and copper. The stretch of land called the Yucatán Peninsula juts into the Gulf of Mexico from Mexico's southeastern tip. It was once part of the Maya civilization, an ancient culture whose amazing buildings can still be seen today. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 1
Nature Few nations on Earth support as many plant and animal species as Mexico does. Located partway between the equator and the Arctic Circle, the country has a great diversity of ecosystems. This is a major contributor to the diversity of its wildlife and plant life. In northern Mexico, deserts are full of plant and animal species that can survive the harsh environment. On Mexico's west coast, gray whales swim thousands of miles each year from Alaska to breed in the waters off Baja California. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 2
The rain forests and coastal wetlands of eastern Mexico are home to thousands of tropical plant species. Elusive animals such as jaguars and quetzal, a colorful bird, live in these regions, as well. People And Culture Mexico is the product of a rich native heritage, three centuries of Spanish rule and a shared border with one of the world's richest countries: the United States. Today, most Mexicans are mestizos. This means they have a mix of indigenous and Spanish ancestry. Throughout its history, Mexico has been home to great artists. The Maya and other native groups made impressive murals, sculptures and jewelry. Modern Mexican artists include great painters, photographers, sculptors and muralists. In ancient times, Mexicans took sports seriously. Sometimes the captain of a losing team in a ritual ball game would be put to death! In some dangerous sports, such as bullfighting and rodeo (which was developed in Mexico), competitors still put their lives on the line today. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 3
Government And Economy The government of Mexico has three branches: the executive, the legislative and the judicial. The executive branch is led by a president, who is elected to serve a single six-year term. Most lawmakers in the legislative branch are also directly elected by the people. The judicial branch is made up of federal and state courts. Mexico is a country with great problems and great potential. It is rich in natural resources, such as oil, silver, copper and farmland. But political and economic failings have kept many people in poverty. The Mexico-United States border is one of the great economic divides on Earth. Some Mexicans feel that their best chance for a better life lies in the more prosperous United States. Hundreds of thousands of Mexicans come to the United States, legally and illegally, each year in search of work. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 4
History The Olmec people, Mexico's first complex society, emerged in the southeastern part of the country around 1200 B.C. They were later followed by the Maya, the Toltec and the Aztec peoples. Mexico's ancient societies built great cities and huge pyramids. They created remarkable works of art and studied the stars and planets to determine when to plant crops and hold ceremonies. In the early 1500s, the Spanish arrived in Mexico. The Aztec people got sick from smallpox and other diseases that the Spanish brought with them. The Spaniards also seized and destroyed the Aztec capital, called Tenochtilán. The Spanish ruled Mexico until 1821. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 5
Quiz 1 Read the section "Government and Economy." Select the sentence from the section that suggests that economic problems have led many people to leave their homes in Mexico. It is rich in natural resources, such as oil, silver, copper and farmland. But political and economic failings have kept many people in poverty. The Mexico-United States border is one of the great economic divides on Earth. Hundreds of thousands of Mexicans come to the United States, legally and illegally, each year in search of work. 2 Which sentence from the article supports the conclusion that Mexico had talented artists in ancient times? The Maya and other native groups made impressive murals, sculptures and jewelry. Modern Mexican artists include great painters, photographers, sculptors and muralists. The Olmec people, Mexico's first complex society, emerged in the southeastern part of the country around 1200 B.C. The Spaniards also seized and destroyed the Aztec capital, called Tenochtilán. 3 Which selection from the article is BEST illustrated by Image 1 at the beginning of the article? Between these ranges lie the deserts and dry scrublands of the Central Plateau. Elusive animals such as jaguars and quetzal, a colorful bird, live in these regions, as well. It is rich in natural resources, such as oil, silver, copper and farmland. Mexico's ancient societies built great cities and huge pyramids. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 6
4 Examine Map 1. How does this map contribute to the reader's understanding of Mexico? It compares Mexico's currency and flag with the currency and flag of the United States. It illustrates important facts about Mexico City's population size and location. It highlights some important national symbols and shows the number of countries it borders. It explains why the golden eagle has become one of Mexico's rarest animals. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 7