Virtual Field Trip to Mexico and Central America

1. A Virtual Trip to Central
America and Mexico
Let’s see how these places are different or the same as
America

2. Why and Where are We
Going?
 The purpose of our trip is to see how the culture and
experiences in Mexico and Central America are different or
the same from the United States.
 We will be visiting Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and
Honduras.
 Click on words that are underlined and orange to learn more!

3. Culture
The beliefs, customs, practices, and social behavior of a
particular nation or people
ArtReligion
BehaviorCustoms
Habits

4. Experience
Something that happens to somebody or an event that
somebody is involved in
Types of experiences
Religious Social
Educational
Situational

5. How Will We Get There?
 To travel to these areas a person could use a car or a
plane. We will use a car. Let’s map our route.
 Stop 1: Monterrey, Mexico
 Stop 2: Mexico City, Mexico
 Stop 3: Oaxaca, Mexico
 Stop 4: Guatemala City, Guatemala
 Stop 5: San Miguel, El Salvador
 Stop 6:Tegucigalpa, Honduras

6. What Will We See and
Hear?
 Mexico
 Full of culture and history
 Monterrey
 Mexico Citypersonal tour
 Oaxaca
 Guatemala
 Beautiful scenes and information
 El Salvador
 Wonderful events and people
 Honduras
 Many customs some like in America

7. Mexican Culture
 On November 1 & 2 many Mexicans celebrate
Día de los Muertos, a holiday that honors
Mexico’s dead souls returning to the cemetery.
People decorate the tombstones and put out
food for the dead. This is not a sad holiday but
a celebration.
 Status (level of importance in society) is
important and those above another are always
treated with respect.
 Family is an important part of the
Mexican culture. Mexicans consider it
their duty and responsibility to help
family members.
 In the Mexican culture families celebrate a
quinceañera when a girl turns 15. This
celebration is a sign of becoming a
woman.

8. Mexican History
 Mexico’s original inhabitants were Native tribes
such as Mayans, Aztecs, and Zapotecs.
 Spanish explorers found the country of Mexico in
the early 1500s and claimed the country for Spain.
 In 1821 Mexico won its independence from Spain.
 In the Mexican-American War, Mexico and the
United States fought for Texas.
 Mexico is now a democracy and has grown to be 7th
largest oil producer in the world.
Mexican History Timeline

9. Guatemala Scenes
 The landscape of Guatemala is
very beautiful
 Guatemala is a very
mountainous country with
many volcanoes.
 You may see a parade during
Santa Semana (Holy Week), a
Catholic celebration of Holy
Week, which commemorates the
Passion, Crucifixion and
Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This celebration begins on Palm
Sunday and ends on Easter.

10. Information on Guatemala
 The Mayan civilization was one of the
first inhabitants of Guatemala.
 Guatemala City is actually built within
the ancient Maya city of Kaminal Juyú.
 Antigua was declared a National
Monument by the Guatemalan
government in 1944, a Monument of the
Americas by the General Assembly of
the Pan American Institute of
Geography and History in 1965.

11. El Salvador Events
 El Salvador is known for its  Beautiful underground caves
carnival. This Carnival takes place are abundant in El Salvador.
during November to celebrate Many Salvadorans take time
"Nuestra Señora De La Paz" (Our to relax in these crystal clear
Lady of Peace). Participants in the waters.
carnival will enjoy music, food, and
entertainment.

12. The People of El Salvador
 The original inhabitants of El Salvador
were the Pipil Indians. Very few
Salvadorans now speak the indigenous
language, it disappeared after 1932, when
General Maximilio Hernández Martínez
killed 30,000 mostly Indian rural
peasants. Those who survivedhid their
Indian identity by changing their dress
and speaking only Spanish.
 Authority and respect are
expected from all throughout
this culture.
 Families are close-knit with
help from extended families

13. Customs of Honduras
 During the celebration of Santa Semana (Holy
Week) Hondurans create sawdust carpets.
People will decorate the trail where Jesus will
walk through (to his crucifixion) to make the
walk less painful for Christ.
 Football is the choice of Honduras people and
they enjoy playing the game.
 Family loyalty is an ingrained and
unquestioned virtue; from early childhood.
People emphasize the trust, assistance, and
unity that relatives owe to one another.
 Small towns may have a traditional healer who
prescribes herbal treatments.

14. Can I Buy Something?
There are different types of currency in each country we will visit
Mexico uses the El Salvador
Mexican Peso uses the
United States
dollar
Guatemala Honduras
uses the uses the
Guatemalan Honduran
quetzal lempira

15. What Will We Eat?
There are fast food restaurants like McDonald’s, but there are also places
that serve food from the area
Many food in Guatemala have
In Mexico, Mayan influences- Kak’ik a
corn is a Mayan stews
staple in
many meals
In El Salvador the food is a mix
between indigenous and Spanish
influences- Breakfast of refried
beans, queso fresco (fresh cheese)
and fried plantains In Honduras you
will find many
dishes similar to
those in the
United States.-
Machuca mashed
plantains and
coconut fish soup.

16. Can We Go Again?
 Now that we are back think about how the United States
and these countries are the same.
 If you want to visit these countries again revisit this
Virtual Field Trip on your free time!
¡Adios Y Vuelve Pronto!