| Keyword |
Definition |
| Guatemala |
A country on Mexico's southern border |
| Isthmus |
A thin strip of land surrounded by sea |
| Zapotec |
A group of native Mexicans |
Did you know that some Mexican states from the past don’t exist anymore? Over the years, Mexico’s map has changed a lot because of wars, rebellions, and leaders who wanted more power. Here are some stories about places that disappeared from the map:
Nuevo León y Coahuila
These 2 states were once joined together by a leader named Santiago Vidaurri. He took over Coahuila and made it part of Nuevo León, even though it wasn’t really allowed. For a while, he ruled both as if they were his own. But after Vidaurri was executed, the 2 states split up again.
The Kingdom of Guatemala
Long ago, almost all of Central America — including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica — was part of Mexico after independence from Spain. But soon, these countries decided to break away and become their own nations. Only Chiapas stayed with Mexico.
Sinaloa y Sonora
These northern states were once one big state called Sinaloa y Sonora. The people in each area didn’t always get along, and they argued about where the capital should be. Finally, they separated and became two different states.
Internal States
Some other big states were made up of several smaller ones. For example, the State of the East included Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, and Texas. But the cities inside these states were rivals, so they eventually split into smaller states.
Province of the Isthmus
This area was in the narrow part of Mexico between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The government tried to give land to soldiers, but the Zapotec people already lived there and owned the land. The province didn’t last long and was dissolved, but the people kept fighting for their rights.
Mexico’s map changed because of arguments, wars, and people wanting to control their own land. Some places joined together, then split up again. The stories of these lost states show how history can shape a country.
Time to discuss
- Why do you think some states or countries decide to separate from each other?
- How do you think people felt when their home became part of a new state or country?
- What do you think would happen if your state or city suddenly became part of a different country?
