PENNSVALLEY
100
COPYRIGHT
Mexico
Lesson 50:
Natural Resources & Economy of Mexico
Primary industries
–Mexico is rich in natural resources.Despite this, the country has a developing
economy. The primary industries are very important to Mexico’s economic survival. Only about 14%
of Mexico’s land is suitable for agriculture. The soil is either too dry, too mountainous, or too poor.
However, Mexico is one of the world’s leading producers of the “c” crops. They are corn, coffee, cacao
beans, cotton, and cane (sugar).Other crops include bananas, oranges, tomatoes, wheat, and rice.
About 25% of Mexicans live in rural regions.Many of these people are
subsistence farmers
.
Theygrowonlyenoughcrops for their families tosurvive.Therearealso large farmswherecrops, such
as corn, cotton, and coffee, are grown and sold for profit. Cattle and sheep ranching are
imporant in the drier regions of Mexico, much like theSouthwest Region of theUnitedStates.
Mexico has plenty of metallic and non-metallic resources. This country is the world’s leading
producer of silver.Othermetallicmineralsminedare copper, gold, lead, ironore, and zinc.Non-metal-
lic “black gold,” or oil, is probably Mexico’s most important natural resource.Where you find oil, you
usually find natural gas. Salt is also amined non-metallic product.
Secondary industries
– Most of Mexico’s manufacturing occurs in and around its larger cities.
Mexico City alone produces more than 50% of all manufactured goods. Guadalajara, Puebla, and
Monterrey are othermanufacturing cities. Leading products include cars, chemicals, processed foods,
textiles, and steel.
Tertiary industries
– Mexico has a booming tourist industry. Its climate and history attract
millions of tourists. They travel to see the ruins of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, or flock to the
beach resorts of Acapulco or Cancun. Shipping of oil and other export products occur in port cities
such asVeracruz.
Mexico isan importantmember of theNorthAmericanFreeTradeAssociation, knownas
NAFTA
.
Themain goal of this organization is to promote trade while protecting the environment. As a result,
Mexico is importingandexportingmoreof its goods toCanadaand theUnitedStates.Greater trading
of goods and services is helpingMexico’s economy to develop.
ACTIVITY 1:
Use the information above to answer the following questions.
1.What percent of Mexico’s land is suitable for farming?
2.Mexico producesmore of thismetal than any other country in theworld.
3.More than 50% of Mexico’smanufacturing takes place inwhat city?
4. Acapulco andCancun support what tertiary industry?
5.What is themost important non-renewable resource of Mexico?
6.How isNAFTA helpingMexico’s economy?
7.Name two of Mexico’smainmanufactured products.
8.Which one of the “c” crops is your favorite?
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