U.S./Mexico Borderlands

Geography of the U.S. / Mexico Borderlands

By Stacey Orlando

Standard 1 Focus: EPA Map of the U.S. / Mexico BorderlandsSource: http://esp.cr.usgs.gov/projects/borderstudies/health.htmlU.S.-Mexico Border Environmental Health Initiative (Geology Component). (2014, April 25). GECSC: U.S.-Mexico Border Environmental Health Initiative. Retrieved October 1, 2014, fromhttp://esp.cr.usgs.gov/projects/borderstudeis/health.html

Standard 3 Focus: Interprate spatial patterns you see in a map of the U.S./Mexico Borderlands. This is a map depicting the ammount of hispanic persons living in each part of the U.S. As you can see, the southwest region is highly populated with people of hispanic origin Source:http://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/datamapper/map.htmlUnited States Census Bureau. (n.d.). Census Demographics. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/datamapper/map.html

Standard 2 Focus: Student will draw a mental map of a route that may be taken by a Mexican immigrant. The starting point should be in Nogales, Mexico and end in Phoenix, Arizona. Here is an example of a mental map of my own hometown. Map should include popular places or landmarks along the way.

Standard 5 Focus: People create regions to interpret Earth's complexity. Students will learn there are different ways in which people view the "Southwest." The example to the right is one way to interpret the region.Source:http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/statesbw/southwest/sw.shtmlSouthwestern US States Map/Quiz Printout-EnchatedLearning.com. (n.d.). Southwestern US States Map/Quiz Printout-EnchantedLearning.com. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/statesbw/southwest/sw.shtml

Standard 4 Focus: Human an physical characteristics of the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. Here is a photgraph of traffic build-up along the border crossing stations.Source:http://www.banderasnews.com/1204/nb-fasterbordercrossing.htmThomas, J. (2012, April 19). Binational Group Seeks to Improve Traffic flow at US-Mexico Border. Binational Group Seeks to Imporve Traffic Flow at US-Mexico Border. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://www.banderasnews.com/1204/nb-fasterboadercrossing.htm

Standard 7 Focus: Students will become familiar with the physical processes that have shaped Earth's surface in this region. Students will learn about factors like perennial streams, like the Gila River.Source:https://www.google.com/mapsGoogle Maps. (n.d.). Google Maps.Retrieved October 26, 2014, from https://www.google.com/maps

Standard 6 Focus:Students will learn how culture and experience influence people's perception of the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. A certain stereotype found in this region is that there is an excess of refugees.Source:http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/religionandethicsreport/mexican-refugees/4850984West, A. (n.d.). Mexican refugees. Radio National. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/religionandethicsreport/mexican-refugees/4850984

Standard 9 Focus: Human population on Earth's surface. This will include the demographics of people living near the borderlands. Above is a map of population density and refugee population in the U.S. and Mexico.Source:http://mapmaker.education.nationalgeographic.com/?ar_a=1'b=1'ls=000000000000NatGeo Mapmaker Interactive. (n.d.). NatGeo Mapmaker Interactive. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://mapmaker.education.nationalgeographic.com/?ar_a=1'b=1'ls=000000000000

Standard 13 Focus: How the forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of Earth's surface. This includes the cooperation of different governments. The U.S. and Mexico have both been working together in the renewable energy department. Source: http://www.csgwest.org/programs/documents/USMexico_Cooperation_Renewable_Energies.pdfWood, D. (n.d.). Environment, Development and Growth: U.S.-Mexico Cooperation in Renewable Energies. Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholards. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://www.cgswest.org/programs/documents/USMexico_Cooperation_Renewable_Energies.pdf

Standard 12 Focus: Processes, patterns, and function of human settlements. Tecate was attractive to migrant workers due to the brewery jobs available.Source:http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g499402-d1145546-Reviews-Tecate-Brewery-Tecate_Baja_California.htmlTecate Brewery, Tecate. (n.d.). Tecate Brewery. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g499402-d1145546-Reviews-Tecate_Brewery-Tecate_Baja_California.html

Standard 14 Focus: Human modification to the environment. We will observe man-made structures such as roadways and rivers in this region that have changed the environment. Above is a photo of the Central Arizona Project. Source:https://google.com/mapsGoogle Maps. (n.d.). Google Maps. Retrieved October 25, 2014, from https://google.com/maps

Standard 11 Focus: Patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth's surface. We will delve into the trade connections bewteen the U.S. and Mexico, like the avocado market and the different perspectives each country holds.Source:http://blogsbylatinas.com/2012/07/avocados-love-and-guacamole.htmlAvocados, Love, and Guacamole! - Blogs by Latinas. (n.d.). Blogs by Latinas RSS2. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://blogsbylatinas.com/2012/07/avocados-love-and-guacamole.html

Standard 10 Focus: Culture: The characteristics, distribution, and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics. We will examine the different cultures that create that of which near in the borderlands. A great example of this is the "Tex-Mex" style food.Source:http://foodswol.com/tex-mex-mexican-food-background-for-pictures.html/tex-mex-mexican-food-background-for-pictures-2Tex Mex Mexican Food Background For Pictures. (n.d.). FoodswolCom. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://foodswol.com/tex-mex-mexican-food-background-for-pictures.html/tex-mex-mexican-food-background-for-pictures-2

Standard 8 Focus: Charactersitics and spatial distribution of ecosystems and biomes on Earth's surface. Above is pictured the Parker Sand Dunes located in Arizona.Source:https://www.google.com/mapsGoogle Maps. (n.d.). Google Maps. Retrieved October 26, 2014, from https://www.google.com/maps

Standard 18 Focus: How to apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future. Students will explore the potential careers available to geographers and apply this to their daily lives. Geography projects are meant to be both educational and fun! Learning about the geography of the Borderlands can open up your mind and give you new perspectives on the region!Source:http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/united-states/arizona-guide/Arizona Guide--National Geographic. (n.d.). National Geographic. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/trave;/united-states/arizona-guide

Standard 17 Focus: How to apply geography to interpret the past. This includes what drew people to the region and reasons as to why they may have settled here. The rich deposits of copper in Arizona sparked a mining craze and created jobs.Source:http://www.colindaylinks.com/arizona/morenci1.htmlMorenci Copper Mine near Clifton, Arizona. A Travelling Days Website. (n.d.). Morenci Copper Mine near Clifton, Arizona. A Travelling Days Website. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://www.colindaylinks.com/arizona/morenci1.html

Standard 15 Focus: How physical systems affect human systems. Monsoon season hits the U.S.-Mexico Region rather hard, and it is important to understand the risks! Source:http://phoenixwaterfronttalk.com/2011/07/09/dust-storm-engulfs-phoenix/Phoenix Arizona Waterfront Homes. (2001, July 9). Phoenix Arizona Waterfront Homes RSS. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://phoenixwaterfronttalk.com/2001/07/09/dust-storm-engulfs-phoenix/

Standard 16 Focus: Resource Geography- Changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution and importance of resources. Above is a photo of the land surrounding the Gila River and how it can be utilized for agricultural purposes.Sources:https://google.com/mapsGoogle Maps. (n.d.). Google Maps. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from https://google.com/maps