Mexico City Flashcards
Describe the location of Mexico City
Capital city of Mexico, which is in North America
What is the situation of Mexico City? Physical and Human
PHYSICAL
-> Pacific Ocean to the west
-> Gulf of Mexico to the east
-> Popocatépetl (active volcano) to the south-east
-> Mexico City is surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountain ranges
HUMAN
-> Mexico City is surrounded by the states of Puebla, Mexico, Tlaxcala, Morelos & Hidalgo
-> The city of Puebla is to the south east
How is Mexico City connected to the wider world? give 1
1) Mexico City sits on the Pan-American Highway, a network of roads which stretches 30,000km from Alaska to the southern tip of South America.
2) The International airport is in the east of the city
3) Mexico City has a metro system and is connected to the rest of the Mexican rail network.
What type of place is Mexico City? Give 1 (Culture, global importance, economic)
Culture: Mexico City is a mix of indigenous and Spanish traditions of food, music, religion and architecture.
Global importance: With a population of over 22 million, Mexico City is the largest metropolitan area in the western hemisphere. It is the largest Spanish speaking place on earth.
Economics: It is also one of the biggest financial centres in the world. In 2011, Mexico’s GDP was $US 411 billion which is one of the highest in the world. However, it also has some of the biggest inequality in the world as well.
Population of Cardiff 1900, 1950, 1990, 2023
1900 = 345,000
1950 = 3,000,000
1990 = 15,800,000
2023 = 22,300,000
Why is the population density of Mexico City actually decreasing?
The area of Mexico City has grown at a faster rate than the population
Give 2 factors that caused the growth of Mexico City:
Rural to urban migration (push and pull factor mix)
Rates of natural increase (more born than die and increased life expectancy)
What push and pull factors can you think of that might cause migration to Mexico City?
Push = No access to healthcare, climate change effects
Pull = Better paid jobs, better education
Describe the population growth across Mexico City since 1950:
Population growth has not been very even across the city.
In 1950, 66% of the population lived in the Urban core. Now, 10%.
City growth in Mexico City has taken place very _______. This is because many people arriving in Mexico City are very ____ and have no ___. This means there is a lot of ___________ for jobs which drives down _____.
Many work in the ________ sector. This is when people work for themselves and pay no tax. They are not protected or regulated by the government so working conditions are often very poor, as are wages. This means it is very difficult to make any savings or pension.
City growth in Mexico City has taken place very rapidly. This is because many people arriving in Mexico City are very poor and have no job. This means there
is a lot of competition for jobs which drives down wages.
Many work in the informal sector. This is when people work for themselves and pay no tax. They are not protected or regulated by the government so working conditions are often very poor, as are wages. This means it is very difficult to make any savings or pension.
What is the informal sector?
This is when people work for themselves and pay no tax. They are not protected or regulated by the government so working conditions are often very poor, as are wages. This means it is very difficult to make any savings or pension.
4 Reasons for differences in
quality of life in Mexico City
Income
-> The very poor live in shanty towns and slums; others live on rubbish dumps.
-> Average income is $13,085.
-> The top 20% of people earn 13 times
more than the bottom 20%.
New arrivals
-> Shanty towns are often the only
option. They are self-built with no
amenities- this includes sewerage,
running water or electricity.
Political power
-> The wealthy control the political
power. Often decisions are made to
benefit the rich- such as tax cuts –
which in turn affects the poor.
Working hours
-> Poorer people have to work longer
hours than the rich.
-> In Mexico City, 29% of employees
work very long hours compared to
13% in other similar countries.
Why is the fastest population growth in the outer sections of the city?
Housing is cheaper.
Informal settlements - people build their own houses as it is cheaper.
There is a housing shortage in the urban core.
Explain the reasons for rural to urban migration to Mexico City.
Pueblo is a poor region to the east of Mexico City.
Farming is the main source of income.
The illiteracy rate is over 20% in some municipalities.