Mexico was first inhabited by the Aztec tribe. Their civilization was very advanced. Under the leadership of Hernando Cortes in 1520, the Spanish conquistadors explored the land and ended up taking over some Aztec villages. The Aztec then ended taking control of Mexico for a few years. The Spanish culture still has effect on the culture of Mexico today. Like Mexico, South America was first inhabited by native tribes, such as the Inca. The Inca were also very advanced. The first Spanish explorers were very impressed with the Inca civilizations. However, they still prioritized gold and silver, and eventually the explorers conquered the Incan empire. Incan culture is still very prominent in today’s South American society. Portuguese explorers also came Brazil, and they brought Africans to work in the sugar fields. Mexico was first inhabitants of the Aztec tribe. Their civilization was very advanced. Under the leadership of Hernando Cortes in 1520, the Spanish conquistadors explored the land and ended up taking over some Aztec villages. The Aztec then ended taking control of Mexico for a few years. The Spanish culture still has effect on the culture of Mexico today. Like Mexico, South America was first inhabited by native tribes, such as the Inca. The Inca were also very advanced. The first Spanish explorers were very impressed with the Inca civilizations. However, they still prioritized gold and silver, and eventually the explorers conquered the Incan empire. Incan culture is still very prominent in today’s South American society. Portuguese explorers also came Brazil, and they brought Africans to work in the sugar fields.
|
GeographyLatin America stretches from the Rio Grande to the tip of South America. Mexico differs between deserts, mountains, grasslands, woodlands, and tropical rain forests. Much of the land is mountainous, and the climate, for the most part, is known to be arid or semiarid. South America has mountains, grasslands, jungles, forests, plateaus, and deserts. The longest and second highest mountain chain in the world, the Andes, can be found in South America. Climate differs greatly, and literally almost every climate can be found in this continent.
|
CultureMexican culture is known to be very family oriented and close knit. In Mexico, many everyday objects such as beds, chairs, and cooking utensils are handmade. Because most Roman Catholicism is the most practiced religion, most of the holidays celebrated in Mexico are centered around religion and religious celebrations. South American culture is heavily influenced by several native tribes. Today the culture is evolving in several ways. The population is growing and the cities are becoming more and more industrialized through economic and technological processes. However, there are still many old buildings and such from the times of the Spanish conquistadores and the Inca. The people are either very wealthy or experiencing poverty, and most of the farmland is controlled by the richest landowners. Like Mexico, holidays are also religious. They are a mixture of Christian festivities and beliefs.
|
History of FoodMexican cuisine was heavily influenced by the Aztecs and Spaniards. The Aztecs brought chocolate, vanilla, corn, peppers, peanuts, tomatoes, avocados, squash, beans, sweet potatoes, pineapples, and papayas. The also introduced boiling, broiling, and steaming. The Spanish contributed by bringing oil, wine, cinnamon, cloves, rice, wheat, peaches, apricots, beef, and chicken. The introduction of oil allowed foods to be fried, and today a frying is very popular in the preparation of Mexican dishes. South American cuisine is a combination of the Spanish, Portuguese, African, and native tribe cuisines. Most of the staple foods are found naturally throughout the continent, but the cooking customs vary from region to region. The cuisine amongst the different regions also differs due to the different geographic conditions.
|