MAY 2009
MAY 2009
A IS FOR AGRICULTURE, ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHITECTURE, & ART
AGRICULTURE is the largest single sector of employment in Mexico. The Central Plateau is the chief agricultural region. Major crops include corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, and cotton. Mexico is one of the top coffee producers in the world. Other agricultural products include dairy products, poultry, and beef. Water for irrigation is supplied by reservoirs or rivers that descent from the mountains.
ARCHAEOLOGY is an important part of the history of Mexico. There are 5 regions that are particularly rich in archaeological sites. Many
archaeological sites are located on the Yucatan peninsula including
Chichen Itza and the only
Mayan city known to exist on the ocean's edge.
Uxmal is the largest and most famous of the Ancient Mayan cities of Yucatan's hill country. Kernels of corn over 9,000 years old have been found in caves in the south central part of Mexico. Most of the Olmec art that has survived is made from carved stone. The
Department of Underwater archaeology promotes research of underwater archaeological sites.
Three eras of Mexico history can be seen in the country's
architecture- Pre-Columbian Indian, Spanish Colonial, and Modern. The Cathedral of Guadalejara has a variety of architectural types, and the church of Fray Pedro de Gante in Texcoco combines Indian and European styles of architecture.
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Mexico is famous for its variety of
ART. Each area of the country is famous for local products including jewelery, ceramics, textiles, leather, glassware, and carved wooden masks.
Talavera Potery is famous among Mexican crafts. The country is also famous for its murals both ancient and modern.
Baja California is one of the longest peninsulas in the world and includes several islands. Most of it is separated from mainland Mexico by the Sea of Cortez. Its only land link to the rest of Mexico is the transpeninsular highway. It has the second most diverse marine bodies in the world.
Mexico has nearly 1,000 species of
BIRDS including woodpeckers, macaws, parrots, vultures, toucans, and over 50 species of hummingbirds. The
Audubon Society of Mexico focuses on preserving and restoring natures ecosystem for birds and other wild animals. The
Crested Caracara is the National Bird of Mexico and is shown on the flag holding a snake. Birds are present in the names of pre-Hispanic Gods. Lords of Creation was represented by a hummingbird and was the patron of the
Mexicas.
The quetzal bird is found in the jungles of Mexico and is believed to be one of the most beautiful birds in the world.
Mexico City is the CAPITAL of Mexico and the commercial and cultural center of the country. It is the longest continuously inhabited
city in the Western Hemisphere. It is also the highest and one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. The historic plaza of Mexico City - the Plaza de Constitution (Zocalo)- is the largest plaza in the world. Other principal cities include Gudalajara and Monterey. Puebla is one of the oldest cities in the country. Tijuana on the U.S. border is a major tourist and industrial center.
One of the great natural treasures of Mexico is its hugh network of
CAVES including
archaeological caves and underground rivers. The deepest cave is
Sistema Cave, the longest cave is Ox Bel Ha, and the deepest pit is El Sotano. The two longest
underwater cave systems known in the world are on the Yucatan Peninsula. The
Aktun Chen cave system is thought to have been formed 5 millions years ago.
Villa Luz Cave has Sulphur Springs.
Because of its ethnic and regional diversities, Mexico has a heterogeneous
CULTURE. In order to unite the native cultures, the government supports indiginous folk arts and crafts as well as the European inspired classical arts. The
National Museum of Anthropology and History focuses on the history of Mexican Culture.
The
CURRENCY of Mexico is the peso. It comes in coins and paper bills.
Mexico has over 2 dozen
DAMS including 3 along the
Rio Grande River. Oviachic Dam in Sonora is used for irrigation, rechanneling waterways, and the generation of electricity.The
La Angostura dam in
Chiapas is one of the biggest in the world. The Aguamilpa dam in Sonora is the largest hydroelectric dam in the country. New hydroelectric dams are scheduled to be built along the Usumacinta River. Other forms of
energy are being investigated. La Ventosa has a
giant windfarm.
Mexico has many regional
DANCES. The
Ballet Folklorico was formed to preserve Mexican folk dances and is one of the best traditional dance groups in the world. Each
state has it own folkloric dance style.
Mexico has several DESERTS including part of the
Chihuahuan Desert which is the largest desert in North America. Other deserts in Mexico are the Grand Desert and the Sonoran Desert. The
Sonoran Desert covers much of the state of Sonora in Mexico.
Semi-desert pastures account for half of the national territory.
Mexico has many
EARTHQUAKES and is one of the most seismologically active regions in the world. One of the most devastating earthquakes in the country took place in Mexico City in 1985. Other natural hazards include tsunamis and hurricanes.
Mexico has several
ECOSYTEMS including forests grasslands, and wetlands.
Public EDUCATION in Mexico is free. Mexican law requires all children to attend school starting at age 6. The federal government controls the curriculum and provides the textbooks for primary school.
The
FLAG of Mexico has three vertical bands - green, white, and red. In the center of the white band is the country's coat of arms-an eagle with a snake in its beak. The national flag is also the state flag, civil flag, war flag, and state ensign. Flag Day is celebrated on February 24.
Mexico has a large variety of FLOWERS. The
pointsettia, known as the Christmas Flower, originated in Mexico.
Jalapa in the state of Veracruz is called "The City of Flowers". The Dr. Alfredo Barrer Marin Botanical Garden is the largest botanical garden in Mexico.
A large variety of
FOOD is available in Mexico. Chile and corn are staples. Some of the most popular foods including tortillas, tamales, and pozolel (corn chowder) date from the day of the Aztec Empire. Turkey is a popular holiday dish.
About 20% of Mexico is covered with
FORESTS.
Mesophyllic mountain forests have a high rainfall and vegetation is often covered by clouds.
Conifer and Oak forests have a long dry season and often have several layers of vegetation. Trees include ebony, pine, walnut, and sapodilla and provide wood for timber and pulp. The juice of the sapodilla is the raw material for chewing gum. The
Maya Forest covers the southern Yucatan Peninsula and is the largest continguous forested area in Mexico and Central America.
Cloud Forests are in the high mountains of Mexico. A variety of
animals live in the
rainforests in Mexico.
The GLOBAL POSITIONof Mexico is approximately 15 degrees south to 23 degrees north and 75 to 102 degrees west. It is bordered on the west by the North Pacific Ocean, to the North East by the Gulf of Mexico, and to the South East by the Caribbean Sea. The
Isthmus of Tehuantepec separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Pacific Ocean. The
geography of
Mexico includes mountains, plains, valleys, peninsulas, islands,and plateaus. The highest place is Mt. Orizaba and the lowest is Mexicali Valley.
Mexico is a federal republic with 3 banches of
GOVERNMENT - executive, legislative, and judicial. It is basically a
one-party country. The country has 31
states including two territories and a federal district. Each State has its own
capital and is self-governing. All citizens 18 or older may vote. In December 2000 Vincente Fox became president ending a seven decade political dynasty. Mexico belongs to many international organizations including the
United Nations.
The
HISTORY of Mexico dates back thousands of years. Many
places in the country have visible remains of their history and some are wellknown resort towns.
Mexico celebrates many public and religious
HOLIDAYS. Many holidays and
have roots in old Indian customs. Fiestas are a big part of Mexican life. The most important religious celebration is
Guadalupe Day. October 12 is celebrated as Race Day and honors people of mixed Spanish and native Mexican heritage. Independence Day is celebrated on September 16.
Most Mexican people are of INDIAN and Spanish decent. The Mayan Indians are one of the best-known of the classical civilizations and they invented the calendar we use today. The majority of Mexicans are Roman Catholic and the country has many monasteries, churches, and
colonial missions.
Nearly every species of
INSECTS can be found in Mexico. Some insects are valued as
food. The
Monarch butterfly migrates between the United States, Canada, Mexico. There is a
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Central Mexico.
Altauta is the only location outside reserves where there are monarch colonies.
Several ISLANDS are off the coasts of Mexico including Isla Mujeres, Holbox, and Conzumel which is the largest island in the country. There are nearly 100 desert islands off the east coast. Mexico is part of
Laguana Madre - the longest barrier island in the world and habitat for migratory water fowl. Over 2,000 years ago the Aztec built a series of little floating man-man islands on a lake in the area of
Xochimilco. Today small vessels carry visitors, groups of musicians, and refreshments along the many canals.
Mexico has 2 JAZZ festivals. The Jazz Festival in
Cancun features jazz musicians. The other jazz festival is held in Hidden Beach in
Los Cabos.
Two kinds of JUNGLES are located in the tropical zone of Mexico -
humid, and
sub-humid. The
Yucatan Peninsula is a vast, flat, jungle and includes 3 Mexican states, Belize, and part of northern Guatamala. The
Lacandon Jungle is home to rare parrots, jaguars, and is rich in natural resources including hundreds of species of hardwood trees.
Many aspects of life in Mexico focus on KIDS. The
Presidency of the Republic of Mexico provides information for kids about the country and its government. The Presidency of Mexico has a
Mexico for Kids page. Mexico has many
attractions and activities for kids.
Mexico City has many fun things to do with kids.
In Mexico distance is measured in KILOMETERS and a kilogram is used to measure weight. This is know as the
metric system and is used in most countries throughout the world.
Many LANGUAGES are spoken in Mexico.
Spanish is the official LANGUAGE of Mexico but about fifty Indian dialects are spoken. Among the main Indian languages are Maya, Nahuall, and Zapotec. The variety of Spanish spoken by Mexican has a special lilt called "el canto Mexicano" which means "the Mexican Song".
Mexico has many
LAKES. Lake Chapala is the largest lake in the country. Lake Patzaro and Lake Cuitzco are know for their scenic settings.
Public
LIBRARIES are located throughout Mexico and in all the universities. The library at the University of Mexico has a mural made of seven million stone chips. The Mexico National Library Association represents libraries and librarians. The
Tomastomas organization builds libraries for children in the country. Mexico has many
myths and stories. The
Many LIGHTHOUSES are located off the
West Coast of Mexico and off the
East Coast. There are many lighthouses on the
Yucatan Penninsula. The lighthouses in Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta are not official aids to navigation.
Mexico has many
MOUNTAINS including 2
Sacred Mountains. Two great mountain chains extend along the west and east coasts - Sierra Madre Occidental to the west, and Sierra Madre Oriental to theeast. The
Apache Highlands forms an archipelago of 40 mountain "islands". The Sierra Madre del Sur and Sierra Juarez mountains surround most of Oaxaca. Some of the tallest peaks in Mexico are snow-covered all year. Mountain and rock
climbing are popular activities.
Many MUSEUMS are located throughout Mexico.
The National Historical Museum is located in
Chapultepec Park in Mexico City.The
Papalote Children's Museum educates and entertains kids.
Mexico several types of
MUSIC. The Ballet Folkorico is known world-wide. The country has several major symphony orchestras. Mariachi music is heard thoughout the world and has come to symbolize Mexico. It usually includes violinists, guitarist, and horn players.
The NAME Mexico came from one of the names of the
Aztec God of War Mexiti. The official name of Mexico is United Mexican States. It has also been known as Mesoamerica (Middle America, between North and South America). The citizens are known as Mexicans.
Mexico has over 36
NATIONAL PARKS and reserves.
Pulmo reef National Park has thousands of tropical and temperate animal species including many
game fish. Two volcanoes,
Popocatepetl (smoking mountain) and Iztacchual (sleeping lady), form part of a National Park near Mexico City.
MEXICO is located in NORTH AMERICA. To the north it is connected to the United States and to the south it is connected to the continent of South America.
The ancient people of Mexico were amazing astronomers and built OBSERVATORIES. The National Observatory is in Ensenada. The country has several
volcano observatories. There are
planetariums in Mexico City, Morelia (Michoacan), Monterrey (Nuevo Leon), and Meridan (Yucatan). The Yucatan Peninsula has the largest known impact crater -
- Chicxulub - produced by an object that likely kolled off the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
OIL is one of the largest industries and most valuable mineral in Mexico. The state of
Chiapas produces 1/3 of the crude oil found in Mexico. Both
petroleum and palm oil are produced. Other industries include natural gas, mining, food & beverages, aluminium, vehicles, textiles, pottery, chemicals. Other
minerals found in Mexico include opals and silver. Opals produced in Mexico are sought after throughout the world. The silver mines in the state of Zacatecas are the highest yielding in the world. There is a large crystal cavern in the silver and lead Naica Mine of Southern Chihuhua. Taxco has been a mining town since the 16th century.
The population of Mexico is over 100 million PEOPLE. There are about 17
indiginous groups in the country and about 29% of the people are Indian. Mexico City has one of the largest populations in the world. The first great civilization in Mexico was the Olmec.
There are nearly 50
PORTS located along the coasts of Mexico including Acapulco, Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, La Paz, Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Progreso, Salina Cruz, Tampico, Topolobampo, Tuxpan, Veracruz. Some ports are deep water and some are shallow water. Cruise ships stop at many of the
ports.
Mexico has many
PYRAMIDS. In 2007
Chichen Itza was chosen as one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. The pyramids of Teotihucan outside Mexico City is the oldest known urban center on the American continent. The pyramid in
Cholula is the ancient world's largest man-made structure.
Mexico is home to the world's highest reptile and amphibian diversity with 700 species of
REPTILES including turtles, iguanas, rattlesnakes, alligators, and lizards. Over 500 of the reptiles are native to the country. The five
sea turtles that inhabit the Baja California waters are considered endangered.
Mexico has several
RIVERS. To the north the
Rio Grande River extends along the Mexican-
United States border. The
Usumacinta River in the south is a river highway navigable for 300 miles inland and forms part of the border between Mexico and Guatamala. Much of it is lined with great Mayan ceremonial centers such as Piedras Negras and
Yaxchilan. A network of 14 major rivers drain the uplands of the La Sepultura and El Treinufo Biosphere Reserve into
coastal wetlands.
A large variety of SEA LIFE lives in the waters to the east and west of Mexico. There are many species of fish including anchovies, oysters, shrimp, and tuna. The
Sea of Cortez between the Mexican mainland and the Baja Peninsula is rich with sealife. Up to a third of the world's cetaceans spend time here including the worlds smallest porpoise the
vaquita which is found nowhere else in the world. The country has a wide variety of
equatic ecosystems including marine, coastal, and freshwater.
Many SPORTS are played in Mexico including baseball, sailing, and
Jai alai which is probably one of the fastest games in the world. Soccer is the most popular team sport in Mexico with baseball second. Indivudual sports include bullfighting, boxing, wrestling, tennis, track and field, and golf. The country has rodeos which are called charridas. The bullring in Mexico City is the largest such stadium in the world. A game unique to Mexico is fronton.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS in Mexico include am and fm
radio stations,
television stations, and regular and cellular telephones. Over 3 million people in Mexico use the
internet. There are about 50 internet service providers and the internet code is ".mx".
Webcams are located throughout the country including one viewing
popocataptle volcano, and the
International Bridges.
Several forms of
TRANSPORTATION is available to and in Mexico. The country has both
international and national
airports.
Rrailroads are found throughout the country. The first railroad in Mexico was built in 1850 from Veracruz to El Molmo. There are also main highways and toll highways. With improved connections with the mainland, many old Mayan centers such as
Chichen Itza,
Dzibilchaltun, and Uxmal have become accessible.
Mexico has 25 UNESCO
World Heritage Sites. In 2009 the fortified town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesus Nazareno de Atotonilco were added to the list. The country also has UNESCO
Biosphere Reserves. In 2009 the Monarch Biosphere reserve became a UNESCO site. The
Aztec Temple in Mexico City, and the
Temple of the Inscriptions in Palenque are Forgotten Wonders of the World.
Mexico has many colleges and universities. The
University of Mexico in Mexico City is the largest and oldest university in the country.
Mexico has a wide variety of
VEGETATION ranging from desert to tropical. The country is home to over 26,000 species of plants including almost 1,000 different species of cacti.
Due to its different climates,
Oaxaca has the most varied flora in Mexico.
Mexico has many
VOLCANOES some of which are active, and the country is part of the
Pacific Ring of Fire. A series of
volcanoes along the central plateau of Mexico make up the trans-volcanic ridge.
Pico de Orizaba volcano is the third tallest peak in North America. New volcanoes can appear at any time.
Paricutin is the newest large volcano in Mexico.
Mexico has many
WATERFALLS including the Tamul Waterfall in
San Louis Potosi and the El Encanto and El Coro Waterfalls in
El Encanto. The state of
Chiapas has hundreds of waterfalls.
The
WEATHER in Mexico ranges from desert to tropical and is influenced by the
Tropic of Cancer which divides the country in half. The central plateau is temperate with rain in the summer. The tropical lowlands are hot and humid with rain all year. The Pacific coast is subtropical with wet and dry seasons. In the north the summer is dry and very hot and the winter is very cold. The country has 2 seasons - rainy from January to October and dry from November to May.
Mexico has many species of WILDLIFE. Large animals include the tapir, jaguar, cougar, wild sheep, pronghorn, deer, and bear. Small animals include monkeys, rodents, armadillos, opposums, and anteaters. Many animals live in the
rainforest on the Yucatan Peninsula and some, including the
jaguar, are considered endangered species. The smallest dog in the world - chihuhuas - orginted in Mexico.
XMAS
is the common abbreviation for Christmas and is celebrated in
Mexico much as it is around the
world. Sheperds Plays are staged thoughout the holiday season. The Nativity scene is the main adornment. Festivities culminate on Christmas Eve with a late night mass. Santa Claus is not part of the Mexican Christmas.
The
YMCA of Mexico has a wide variety of programs.
YOUTH HOSTELS are located in many parts of Mexico. There are also
Elderhostels
Mexico is in several Time
ZONES.
Mexico has several
ZOOS. The
Guadalajara Zoo is one of the most complete Zoological Gardens in Mexico and Latin America. The Miguel Alavarez Toro Zoo in chiapas is the only zoo in Latin America that shows regional wildlife living in their natural habitat.
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