Geography influenced how and where early Mesoamericans lived

Mesoamerica was divided into the lowlands (low, level land) and highlands (high above sea level)

The highlands had flat surfaces with fertile lands for growing crops

The highlands were impacted by volcanic eruptions and great earthquakes

The lowlands are along the coast in the gulf of Mexico

These are less impacted by volcanic activity

The lowlands also had great jungles along the Yucatan Peninsula

The highlands were cooler and drier

The lowlands were warmer and wetter (rain)

Maize (corn) was planted in the highlands

Squash and beans were grown in the highlands too

These three crops were called "The Three Sisters"

The lowlands were great for growing cacao (chocolate), palm, and avocado

The lowland farmers also grew beans, squash, and corn, or maize

Mesoamerican farmers cleared the dense jungles with a practice called slash-and-burn

They would slash, or cut down the jungle forest, then burn it

The scorched earth was then fertilized and planted

This type of farming was not good because ancient farmers had to move on to new jungle forests and do the same all over again

The Three Sisters way of growing crops was good because the beans would grow up the corn stalk, the squash would grow wide and cover the soil (did not allow weeds to grow)

The Three Sisters way of farming was good for the soil