Final answer:
Maize agriculture became common in Mesoamerica due to favorable climate changes, domestication that led to sedentary villages, and its integration into culture and society; while in South America, it was present but never became a staple part of the diet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The predominance of maize agriculture in Mesoamerica over South America can be attributed to a combination of factors, including climate differences that favored maize growth, the development of complex societies that supported the spread of maize, and the role of maize in Mesoamerican cultures. In Mesoamerica, a shift toward cooler and wetter conditions combined with the domestication of maize led to the formation of agricultural villages around 2500 BCE. As these populations grew, so did the need for more farmland to grow even more maize, leading to sedentary agricultural communities, increasing specialization, and social hierarchies. By contrast, in South America, while maize was present and used in certain cultures, it never became as central to the diet as it did in Mesoamerica, partly due to various environmental and cultural factors.
In summary, the domestication of maize, first occurring between 5000 and 3000 BCE in Mesoamerica, was significant in shaping the region's societies and cultures. Over time, the use of domesticated maize spread throughout the Americas, each region adapting its cultivation to their local environments and needs. In the end, its importance varied, becoming a staple in some areas while remaining of minor importance in others.