MAP OF MEXICO WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE TEACHERS.
In the study of political divisions, details of structure, climate, etc., that were not brought out in the work on the continent as a whole, should precede the historical study.
Again let it be stated, that the method and questions here given are not to be followed literally; they are merely presented as suggestive hints to teachers, who should frame their own questions so as to best lead the pupil in his study to a realization of what the country is in itself, and how geographical conditions affect the history and civilization of a people.
Having a general idea of the geographical features of Mexico, the pupil in its closer study, may give its location as lying south of the United States and extending from Texas on the north to central America on the south. He may describe its general shape as triangular or cornucopia shaped. He may notice that the Rio Grande forms its natural boundary on the north, for nearly three fourths of the distance from gulf to ocean. What is the length of this river? Compare with length of the Mississippi. How far is it navigable? (About 500 miles.) What is its character? (Swift, crooked, and obstructed by rapids and sand-bars.) Notice the break in the great western range of mountains, forming a depression between the Sierra Madre and Sierra Nevada Ranges.
Just north of this break and west of the Colorado River, in the state of California, lies the great Mohave Desert, in which is the famous “Death Valley,” 100 feet below the level of the sea.
From the Gulf of Mexico on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west the land rises in a succession of terraces or plateaus, with elevations varying from 2,000 feet to 8,000 feet above sea-level.
The great central or upper plateau has an elevation of about 3,000 feet at the north, but ascends gradually to the height of 8,000 feet in the southern part. Compare this with the Mohave Desert. With the great plateau of the United States. With Florida (mean elevation 30 feet). In this part, the eastern mountain wall of the great central plateau, and the western, which is much higher of the two, culminate in a knot of lofty mountains. This is a volcanic region, and here a number of isolated volcanoes tower above the uplands in a line from east to west. Of these snow-capped volcanoes the highest are Popocatapetl and Orizaba, which are about 17,500 feet above the sea-level.
Compare these with the highest peaks of the Rockies. From this point the land abruptly lowers to the low Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the Peninsula of Yucatan. Mexico has an area of 744,000 square miles. Compare with area of the United States (3,605,000).
Why are there more rivers flowing into the Gulf of Mexico than into the Pacific Ocean? Where is the greatest rainfall? What is the direction of the prevailing wind? Can this be known from the map? The average annual rainfall at the Gulf Coast is 150 inches. How does this compare with that of Florida? (60 inches.) With that of Chicago? (36 inches.) What is the rainfall on the western coast? (There is scarcely no rain at all.) Why? Where is the source of the rivers on the west coast? The average rainfall of the plateau is 27 inches. May we expect to find many rivers flowing from it? What is likely to be the character of rivers flowing into the Gulf? (They are swift torrents bearing trees and rocks, tearing and cutting gorges and cañons from 800 to 1,000 feet deep.) Compare these with rivers of the Atlantic Coast. How are the sand-bars at the mouths of the rivers on the eastern coast to be accounted for? What effect must they have upon commerce? What may we conclude as to the character of Mexican harbors? Would the water-ways afford an enemy means of transportation to the heart of the country? May we conclude that the natural structure of the country affords protection from enemies? What influence has this isolation had upon the progress of the people? Has Mexico a navy? Why not?
Mexico has two seasons—the dry season and the rainy season. The latter begins in June and lasts until October. What is the prevailing wind in each season? What influence has altitude upon climate? Mexico has three zones of climate, according to altitude. The mean temperature of the low lying coast zone or “Hot Lands” is 77 to 82 degrees Fah. at Acapulco on the western coast. What is the climate? (Hot or dry.) What is the climate on the eastern or Gulf coast, where the mean temperature is 77 degrees Fah. rising at Vera Cruz sometimes to 110 degrees Fah.? (Hot, humid and unhealthy. In the rainy season the land is partly under water—steaming. In the dry season the ground is parched and the air oven-like.) What is the character of vegetation, birds, and animals? Compare vegetation with that of cold or cool regions as to appearance, kinds of trees, etc., and its value or usefulness to animals and man. Which city would be the most desirable for a home?
What must be the natural effect of the existing structure and climatic conditions upon the inhabitants of these areas? What kind of houses would they be apt to build? Draw type of houses with environment. The plains rise from the coast gradually to the height of about 2,000 feet where the hills begin, and above these we find other plains.
How does this altitude affect the climate? Vast herds of cattle, horses and sheep roam these plains, and well stocked ranches are in the northern part. Agriculture is the chief occupation in the southern part. The soil being largely volcanic is extremely fertile when irrigated. From the height of 2,000 feet to about 7,000 feet we find the “Temperate Lands.” These combine the conditions of two zones. The heat and moisture of the “Hot Lands” uniting with the cooler breezes of the uplands, produces one of the most equable and delightful climates in the world.
The mean temperature is from 62 to 70 degrees Fah. Compare this with the mean temperature of Chicago. The heaviest annual rainfall recorded is 90 inches. Air-plants and creeping vines are everywhere. Flowers are more delicately fragrant, birds are songsters, and insects are fewer than in the lower hot lands.
Tropical products are found at a height of 4,000 feet. Rice, coffee, sugar-cane, tobacco and fruits like olives, oranges and lemons are all found here.
Evergreens, oaks and cedars are here as well, while maize and beans are seen growing all the way up from the coast.
Grains grow best at a height of 6,000 feet. Compare these conditions with those of the Hot Lands. Would the temperate lands be a desirable place for a home? What effect has the climate upon the people? Compare them with inhabitants of the low lands. Draw typical scenes, including houses, of temperate lands.
About 7,000 feet we find the “Cold Lands.” Here the amount of rainfall is only one-sixth of that of the low lands. Many small rivers having their source in the eternal snows of the lofty mountain peaks, disappear before reaching the lakes or lagoons. Why? Above 8,000 feet many varieties of the fir tree are seen climbing the mountain slopes. Only four mountain peaks are snow-capped all the year round.
The mountains are rich in metals, especially silver. Sulphur is obtained from the very throat of the crater of Popocatapetl. Salt is obtained from the lakes. The pupils should chalk model the plateau of Mexico showing what they have learned of details of structure. On this plateau every variety of surface is seen. Here are deserts, wooded hills, quiet valleys, and broad level plains studded with clear sparkling lakes which have no visible outlets. What feeds these lakes? What is their character? (Saline.) Why are they salt? Are they getting larger or smaller? Why? Compare the surface here described with that of Yucatan.
The soil of the latter is largely limestone. The surface is low and monotonous, with scarcely a river or brook of any considerable size.
Midway between Vera Cruz on the Gulf coast and Acapulco on the Pacific in the valley or basin of Anahuac, on a plateau of the interior, is situated the renowned city of Mexico, at an altitude of about 7,800 feet above sea-level. In which climate zone is it located? The valley is about 55 miles long, and 30 miles wide, and is hemmed in by mountains with the great volcanoes to the southeast.
Higher than any other, and the first to attract the traveler’s eye as he enters the valley, is the mighty Popocatapetl.
In the northern half of the valley are three small lakes and a number of towns and villages. In the southern half there are three large lakes and the city of Mexico. The lowest part of the basin is Lake Tezcuco. This is only 6 feet below the level of the plateau on which the city stands. The waters of this lake are salt, while Lake Xochimilco is a fresh water lake, situated a few miles south of the city and is 4 feet higher. It is from this lake that the city of Mexico obtains its water supply. What is the population of the city? What do you know of its people?
Throughout the lessons the pupil should be continually led to imagine what the life of the people must be, from what is known of their environment. Lead him also to infer the reasons for their present state of advancement in civilization. Have him sketch scenery, houses, utensils, etc., illustrative of their modes of life.
Show pictures of ancient Aztec and Toltec ruins. Tell of the people who came from the north and settled in the marsh near Lake Tezcuco.
Speak of their great works—temples, aqueducts, dykes and causeways. Refer to evidences of culture as shown in ruins of buildings, fountains, baths, tapestries, etc. What was their religion? Compare them with the Indians of northern forest regions.
What were the motives of the Spaniards in the conquest of Mexico? Describe the landing of Cortez and his army and let the pupil infer the difficulties and dangers encountered on their way into the country; the hot climate, shifting sands, tropical marshes, slippery precipices, gorges with swollen streams, and the mountains to be crossed. Through a pass they went in single file into a sterile region where there was no water: through a second defile, a valley, and then another and more difficult gorge until the summit reached, they descended into the interior valleys. Here the Spaniards rested for four days, near the desert infested with wolves and other wild animals. Tell of Cortez’ attack on the great city—his repulse—the siege, etc. Show that the results were largely determined by the geography of the country.
Cortez conquered because the country being broken up by mountains, plateaus and valleys naturally divided the people into many small tribes, some speaking different languages, who were under forced subjection to a federation consisting of warrior bandits from the stronger cities.
Give the result of the conquest to the Mexicans, and bring their history down to the present day if desired.
What class of people now inhabit Mexico? What regions are most densely populated? What is the population? Compare with the population of the United States.
What is the form of government? Where are the largest cities? Where the greatest seaports? Describe the modifications of surface structure since the conquest. (Lake Tezcuco has receded from the city two and one half miles. How?) Tell of the floating gardens.
74 75 76 77 78
The page of illustrations accompanying the above suggestions include the Map of Mexico, [Fig. 74], and also a section of the map, [Fig. 75], showing more plainly the old valley of Anahuac, and Lake Tezcuco. [Figs. 76 to 78] are scenes typical of the country.