In which country did American corn originate?

American corn, also known as maize, originated in Mexico. Archaeological evidence suggests that corn was first domesticated about 9,000 years ago in the region known as the Balsas River valley. This ancient form of corn, known as teosinte, was a wild grass that underwent significant changes through selective cultivation by native peoples. Over time, these early forms of maize spread across North America, eventually becoming a staple crop.

Understanding this origin is essential not only for agricultural history but also for recognizing the cultural significance of corn in pre-Columbian societies in the Americas. Other options, such as the United States, Canada, and Peru, are regions where corn was cultivated and became important later on, but they are not the original source of this crop.