The official name is Mexican United States - a state in the south of North America, bordering in the north with the United States, in the southeast with Belize and Guatemala, washed in the west by the waters of the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean, in the east by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean... Mexico occupies almost the entire territory of Central America. Consists of 31 states and the capital city of Mexico City, which is a federal district. The population of the country is over 107 million. The country produces oil, natural gas (one of the leading places in Latin America), iron ore, sulfur, antimony ores, mercury and graphite. Agriculture is dominated by crop production - corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruits, tomatoes are grown; in addition, cows and poultry are raised. Other important industries are logging, fishing, and shrimp fishing.
Mexico - the cradle of the brightest civilizations created by the Maya, Aztecs, and lost in the darkness of the centuries - is a beautiful and unusually mysterious country. Its landscapes are amazing with their diversity and cosmic grandeur. Its beaches are enchanting with a combination of white sand and the purest, clear water... Her animal and vegetable world fantastically rich.
CAPITAL
Mexico City.
AREA
1958200 sq. m.
POPULATION
More than 107 million people. Historically, the country's population was formed from three main ethnic groups: mestizos - 55% of the total population of the country, Indians - 30%, descendants of Europeans - 15%.
CLIMATE
The climate of Mexico is influenced by coastal waters and sharp changes in elevation. In the Mexican Highlands, it is usually cooler than on the coast, where the air temperature does not drop below + 20 ° C, even in winter. In northern Mexico, light snow falls in winter. The climate of the Yucatan Peninsula is tropical. In the resorts, temperatures range from + 22 ° C (in winter) to 35 ° C (in summer). The average air temperature in the plains resorts is + 26 ° С, the water temperature is + 22 ° С. Like most other tropical countries, Mexico has two main seasons: the rainy season (June to October) and the dry season (November to May).
Resorts of Mexico: In addition to ancient civilizations and rich history, Mexico is also a country of amazing beaches, which can be divided into 2 groups - the beaches of the Pacific coast and the Caribbean. On the Pacific coast, these are Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Los Cabos; in the Caribbean - Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.
TIME
Mexican time is 9 hours behind Moscow time.
LANGUAGE
93% of the population speak only Spanish and some Indian language, 1% know only the language of the local Indians.
NATIONAL CURRENCY
Mexican peso. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20 pesos and coins in denominations of 10 pesos, 5, 2 and 1 centavos. The Mexican peso is indicated by the $ icon with one line (as opposed to the US dollar with two lines). 1 USD equals approximately 11-13 pesos).
ELECTRICITY
The voltage in the electrical network is 110/127 volts. Sockets with flat plugs are used. Adapters are available from almost all hotel stores or outside the hotel.
RELIGION
The dominant religion is Catholicism. (76% of the population).
VISA
Citizens of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, as well as those with a United States visa are allowed unhindered entry into Mexico. For citizens of the Russian Federation works electronic system obtaining visas. For a one-time trip, it is enough to fill out a form on the website and then print it out. There is also the possibility of obtaining a Mexican visa valid for 10 years, with multiple entries.
CUSTOMS
Allowed to import: no more than 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, up to 2 liters of strong alcoholic beverages or wine, one video camera, one camera, gifts for an amount not exceeding 300 USD.
It is prohibited to import: fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, vegetable products, meat products, medicines (a prescription or medical card is required), psychotropic substances.
Export is prohibited: archaeological values, antiques, rare animals and birds, their skins and stuffed animals, plants and their seeds, corals, etc.
WHAT TO WEAR
In Mexico, there are no special rules and restrictions regarding the appearance, and therefore, glamorously dressed fashionistas and Indians in national clothes are often found on the same street. The bulk of the population, both local and tourist, wears shorts, T-shirts or other comfortable clothing made of lightweight fabrics. Recommended to use sunscreen... On coral, rocky beaches, it is advisable to wear special closed slippers with rubber soles. On excursions: comfortable sports shoes, a hat, a light jacket with long sleeves or a cape for protection from the sun, as well as cold air conditioner in transport, an umbrella or a raincoat. In mountainous areas it is cool in the morning, so we recommend bringing warm clothes with you. Some five-star hotels have a dress code for dinner: long trousers and closed shoes for men, and an evening dress for women.
TRANSPORT
As in other large countries, Mexico has public transport: buses, minibuses, metro (in the capital), intercity buses high class with all the amenities. It is recommended to order an official taxi at the country's airports.
If you are planning to rent vehicle, you will need an international driving license and a credit card.
MEXICAN CUISINE
A feature of Mexican cuisine is a large number of corn (maize) dishes, the use of sauces and seasonings. The most popular dish of Mexican national cuisine is tacos - a corn tortilla stuffed (meat, vegetables or fruits) fried over charcoal. Business card Mexican cuisine - hot chili peppers, there are more than 80 varieties. Tequila has become very popular among alcoholic beverages all over the world. Traditional alcoholic drinks also include: ulke, mezcal, balche. Lime is served with almost any dish and drink as a must-have ingredient. Each state of Mexico has its own traditional menu. It is thanks to this variety that Mexican cuisine has become one of the most popular in the whole world.
PURCHASES
Shops usually work from 9.00-10.00 to 22.00 with a lunch break from 14.00 to 16.00, the day off is Sunday. Shops in the resorts shopping centers open all day without lunch breaks and weekends. Mexican folk art is very diverse and reflects the inexhaustible imagination and ingenuity of artisans. Do not forget to buy exotic souvenirs as a keepsake: items made of obsidian - the sacred stone of the Indians, jewelry made of the famous Mexican silver, bright handmade hammocks, colored sombreros and much more.
HOLIDAYS AND NON-WORKING DAYS
- the state in North America.
Official name of Mexico:
United Mexican States.
Territory of Mexico:
The area of \u200b\u200bthe state of the United Mexican States is 1,972,550 km².
Population of Mexico:
The population of Mexico is over 107 million inhabitants (107,449,525 people).
Ethnic groups in Mexico:
The modern ethnic composition of Mexico is represented by three groups: Europeans, local Indians and Africans. Whites make up 30%, mestizo 56%, Indians 12% and 2% other groups (Asians, mulattoes and blacks). By cultural characteristics Ethnologists of the Indians are divided into 62 ethnic groups, and about 30 of them have their own language. The largest group in terms of numbers is the Nahuatl in Central Mexico (about 1.3 million people), as well as the descendants of the Mayans in Chiapas, Tabasco and on the Yucatan Peninsula (800 thousand people). There are also numerous Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Tarahumara and Otomi.
Life expectancy in Mexico:
The average life expectancy in Mexico is 72.3 years (see the ranking of countries in the world in terms of life expectancy).
Capital of Mexico:
Mexico City.
Major cities of Mexico:
Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla.
Official language Mexico:
Spanish.
Religion in Mexico:
Since the violent conversion to Christianity by the Spanish conquistadors, the overwhelming majority of Mexicans (almost 90%) have been, at least formally, Roman Catholics. More than 3% of Mexicans adhere to various forms of Protestantism, and there are small but thriving Jewish and Baha'i communities.
Geographical location of Mexico:
Mexico is a state in North America, bordering the United States in the north, Belize and Guatemala in the southeast, washed by the waters of the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean in the northwest, and the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean in the east. Mexico is the northernmost of Latin America and the most populous of the Spanish-speaking countries.
Rivers of Mexico:
Colorado, Rio Grande.
Administrative divisions of Mexico:
Mexico is administratively divided into 31 states and one federal district... The states of Mexico are divided into municipalities, depending on the population and size of the state, their number can vary from a few pieces to hundreds. Each state has its own constitution and a governor who is elected by direct universal suffrage.
The Federal District of Mexico is a special political entity that includes the central part of the capital city of Mexico City.
Since 1997, the inhabitants of Mexico City have elected the head of the district government, who has less rights than the state governors.
Federal District of Mexico
Aguascalientes
Veracruz
Guerrero
Guanajuato
Durango
Hidalgo
Campeche
Queretaro
Quintana Roo
Coahuila
Colima
Mexico City (state) (Mexico)
Michoacan
Morelos
Nayarit
Baja California
Baja California Sur
Nuevo Leon
Oaxaca
Puebla
Zacatecas
San Luis Potosi
Sinaloa
Sonora
Tabasco
Tamaulipas
Tlaxcala
Jalisco
Chihuahua (Chihuahua)
Chiapas
Yucatan
State structure of Mexico:
Officially, Mexico has a federal form of government. In fact, political power is concentrated in the hands of the national government in Mexico City. Executive power is vested in a president, elected by direct popular vote for one six-year term. The chief executive must be at least 35 years old, must have lived in the country during the year preceding the elections, and must be a Mexican-born. New elections are called in the event of the death of the president or his inability to perform his duties during the first two years of the term.
The cabinet consists of 19 government departments:
internal affairs, foreign affairs, defense, navy, finance, energy and mining, trade, agriculture and water resources, communications and transport, social development, education, labor and social security, presidential administration, agrarian reform, health care and provision, tourism, fisheries, justice and the main control and financial department.
Legislature in Mexico.
The Mexican Constitution gives legislative power to a bicameral Congress. The lower house, or chamber of deputies, has 500 members. Voters elect deputies for a three-year term on the basis of universal suffrage: one deputy for every 250 thousand people of the population or for a part of it that exceeds 125 thousand people. Of the 500 deputies, 300 are elected in single-mandate constituencies; the other 200 are based on proportional representation. The Upper House, or Senate, consists of 128 members, 4 members from each state and federal metropolitan area, elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term, with full rotation every six years. The 1993 reform provides opposition parties with at least 25% of the seats in the Senate. The Congress meets annually in session, which is held from September 1 to December 31. During a hiatus in parliament, legislative powers are vested in a standing commission appointed by both chambers. The constitution prohibits re-election to all government posts, incl. to both houses of Congress. In 1993, an amendment to the constitution was adopted, excluding the so-called. a "point of subordination," according to which, if a party wins 35% of the vote nationwide, it automatically wins a majority of seats in the Chamber of Deputies. This amendment prevents any party from winning more than 315 seats in the lower house. Amendments to the constitution are adopted if approved by at least 325 deputies. Consequently, no party by itself can amend the country's basic law. Until the early 1990s, congressional control of the executive branch existed only in theory; the president's power over the legislative branch was almost absolute, mainly because the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party held the lion's share of seats in both chambers. The midterm elections in July 1997 stripped the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (IRP) of a majority in the House of Deputies, although they retained the majority of seats in the Senate. After the 2000 elections, no party has a majority in Congress.
The judicial system of Mexico.
Mexico's federal judiciary is headed by a 21-judge supreme court, appointed by the president for a six-year term, with the consent of the Senate. The Supreme Court has judicial and administrative authority over the lower courts. The President also appoints judges to 12 mobile circuit courts, consisting of three judges; in 9 unitary mobile circuit courts and 68 circuit courts with one judge. Courts of special jurisdiction were created by law, incl. the tax court and the department of arbitration, which is responsible for resolving labor disputes.
Authorities of the Mexican States.
The constitution gives states powers that the central government does not possess, although in practice the Mexican states have limited real power.
Useful data for tourists about Mexico, cities and resorts of the country. And also information about the population, currency of Mexico, cuisine, peculiarities of visa and customs restrictions in Mexico.
Geography of Mexico
The United Mexican States is a state in North America, bordering the United States in the north, Belize and Guatemala in the southeast, washed by the waters of the Gulf of California (Pacific Ocean), the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
Mexico owns a number of islands in Pacific and the Caribbean.
Most of the country is occupied by the ranges of the Mexican Highlands, the Sierra Madre and the Transverse Volcanic Sierra with many active volcanoes (about 350), incl. highest point countries - Orizaba (5700 m.), Popocatepetl - (5452 m.), etc. Volcanic activity quite high, earthquakes are also frequent.
The state
State structure
Federal Republic. The head of state is the president. The legislature is the bicameral National Congress (Senate and Chamber of Deputies).
Language
State language: Spanish
Local ethnic groups speak their native languages \u200b\u200b(Nahuatl, Maya, Otomi, Zapoteka, etc.). Widely spread english language.
Religion
Catholics (89%), Protestants (6%).
Currency
International name: MXP
The Mexican peso is equal to 100 centavos (cents). In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 pesos and coins of 50, 20, 10 and 5 centavos.
Currency exchange can be done at banks, large hotels, at airports (usually the best rate) or specialized exchange offices "casas de cambio". Difficulties often arise with the exchange of worn banknotes or banknotes of old series.
Most hotels, restaurants, shops and travel agencies credit cards of the world's leading systems and travelers' checks (preferably in US dollars) are accepted for payment. The resort areas have a well-developed ATM network.
US dollars are also accepted almost everywhere (the exchange rate is not the most profitable). When exchanging, you should be careful - there are attempts to count.
History of Mexico
The appearance of man in Mexican lands dates back to the 20th millennium BC and is caused by the constant migration of the population. In the 10th century, the Mayan people came from the north to the Yucatan Peninsula, clashing here with the already existing more ancient civilization of city-states.
Another people, the Aztecs, founded Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) at the beginning of the 2nd millennium AD, and in the 15th century they already ruled over the entire territory of Central Mexico. Irrigation was widely used in their economy, they owned weaving and pottery. The city of Tenochtitlan in the XV-XVI centuries became one of the largest cities in the world. It numbered up to 300 thousand inhabitants and 65 thousand houses, was equipped with a complex system of dams and canals that ensure its water supply. The Aztecs, who owned a vast Mexican territory, laid the foundations of a state organization here, and the city of Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec state. The Aztec leader had at least one hundred thousand troops, which, however, did not know firearms and horses. According to their worldview, the Aztecs were pagans and made human sacrifices to the gods.
The further development of these centers of statehood was stopped by the invasion of the Spanish conquerors in 1517. They captured the capital of the Aztecs, killed the Aztec emperor Montezuma, took possession of his gold treasures and, in the end, established Spanish rule and established Christianity (Catholicism) throughout the country. As a result, the very distinctive ancient American civilizations were destroyed and then consigned to oblivion.
By the end of the 16th century, the conquest of the Mexican plateau was completed. The viceroyalty of New Spain was formed on the occupied lands, which transferred all power to the feudal landowners who arrived here. Numerous attempts by the Indians in the 17th-18th centuries to free themselves from the colonialists did not lead to success. The power of the metropolis was able to collapse only at the beginning of the 19th century, thanks to the weakening of Spain caused by the Napoleonic conquest. And although two uprisings that unfolded in 1810-1813 were suppressed, in 1821 Mexico gained its independence. In 1823, a republic was established in the country, declaring equal rights for all before the law.
The economic backwardness of the young state, its advantageous strategic position and aggravated internal instability drew the attention of the United States here. In 1845, they annexed Texas, and the following year began a series of wars of conquest, capturing half of the Mexican lands by 1854. Unsatisfactory government action led to a social upheaval that turned into civil war in 1857. By 1867, the fighting had ceased. Mainly republican-landlord circles were consolidated in power. The feudal remnants conserved by them became the cause of the 1910-1917 revolution. Her victory weakened the position of the latifundists and strengthened the political role of industrialists. The danger of a Japanese invasion forced the Cabinet of Ministers in 1941 to declare war on the fascist bloc. In the postwar period, progressive democratic reforms dragged on somewhat, but nevertheless contributed to the further development of this Latin American state.
The appearance of man in Mexican lands dates back to the 20th millennium BC and is caused by the constant migration of the population. In the 10th century, the Mayan people came from the north to the Yucatan Peninsula, clashing here with the already existing more ancient civilization of city-states ...
Popular attractions
Mexico Tourism
Where to stay
Mexico, which is the cradle of the ancient civilizations of the Maya and Aztecs, a country of outlandish nature with many paradises and hospitable people, has long won the love of tourists from all over the world. Thousands of kilometers of the wonderful sea coast, tropical forests, a large number of architectural monuments create all conditions for an active and family vacation.
In addition to a huge number of attractions, Mexico has a fairly high level of service and developed tourist infrastructure... Here you will find any accommodation, depending on your financial capabilities. The assortment of hotels in Mexico is diverse and has a standard five-star classification, which is strictly controlled at the state level.
The country's two-star hotels include helpful staff, excellent service, and private pools. Hotels, the level of which starts from three stars, offer guests round-the-clock room service, their own bars and restaurants, snow-white beaches with clear water, picturesque pools, jacuzzis with waterfalls, saunas. For lovers active rest there will be an opportunity to go windsurfing, diving, yachting and other entertainment.
In addition to these hotels in Mexico, there are Granturismo hotels, which are separate complexes that have everything you need for a comfortable stay - from their own shops to helipads. Another category of such hotels is Special, which, in addition to a set of services of the Granturismo class complexes, offer their guests some kind of exclusive service, for example, a free diving tour to their own island.
For lovers of inexpensive travel in Mexico, small family and budget hotels, hunting lodges, hostels with inexpensive spacious rooms and good Mexican food.
Mexican cuisine is renowned for its culinary traditions all over the world. Some dishes may seem a little spicy at first, but you will still appreciate their taste. Typically, national dishes are not complete without at least one of three typical ingredients: tortillas (corn tortillas), beans, and hot chili peppers ....
Tip
It is customary to leave in restaurants, bars, porters, taxi drivers, etc. - 10% of the total bill.
Visa
Opening hours of institutions
Banks are open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays (some bank branches are open even until midnight or until 1 am), and from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday. Sunday is a day off. Some bank branches in resort areas are also open from 4 pm to 6 pm, on Saturday from 10 am to 1:30 pm and from 4 pm to 6 pm, as well as on Sunday from 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Shops are usually open from 9 to 19-22 hours with the traditional break for "siesta" from 14 to 16 hours, the day off is Sunday.
The day off at museums, archaeological sites and theaters is usually Monday.
Purchases
VAT (IVA) is 15% and is usually included on all prices and invoices, but some expensive hotels prices are excluding tax. VAT is also levied on telephone calls, housing rent, etc.
The medicine
No special vaccinations are required, but it is recommended to carry out prophylaxis against malaria, vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, as well as issue an international medical insurance.
Medical service paid and quite expensive. The purchase of some drugs is possible only with a doctor's prescription, therefore, the necessary durable drugs should be brought with you (with mandatory documentary evidence of the indication for their use).
Safety
Mexico maintains a high level of crime, primarily pickpocketing and robbery. It is recommended to travel by car, bus and train only during the day. Taxis are recommended only from official stands ("sitios"), otherwise the chance of being robbed is high. It is recommended to order a taxi by phone, having received from the dispatcher the car number and the taxi driver's license number. At Mexico City Airport, only yellow airport taxis (with airport logos on the door) should be hired with a pre-paid call at the "Transportacion Terrestre" kiosk in the airport lobby.
Try to drive on toll roads ("cuota") - they are safer. It is also recommended to avoid solo hikes in provincial areas, and often use hitchhiking. There are known cases of extortion of money by people in uniform.
Emergency phones
Police, ambulance, fire protection and other emergencies - 06.
Questions and opinions about Mexico
Question answer
Tijuana Question-Answer
Puebla - Q&A
Question answer
Question answer
Mexico is the country of the most ancient civilizations. For many millennia, numerous Indian tribes lived on its territory. The modern ethnic composition was formed from the indigenous population, European settlers and imported from the sixteenth century to work on the plantations of Africans. More than half of the population are mestizos and mulattos, descendants of mixed marriages. In this regard, many are interested in what language is the official one in Mexico. To answer this question, let's turn to history.
Historical reference
Until the sixteenth century, the territory of modern Mexico was inhabited by Indian tribes who spoke several dozen languages. Of these, the most common were the Navajo in the north, the Nahuatl and Maya in the center. Many others were also used, and they all had a significant impact on the Spanish language, which was originally spoken only by a small layer of administrators, officials, conquistadors and Spanish settlers, which made up about five percent of the population.
However, thanks to intensive interracial contacts, Spanish became the main means of communication for the majority of Mexicans in the seventeenth century.
Influence of Indian languages
Unlike the United States, Mexico has never resorted to a policy of genocidal indigenous peoples. After the number of Indians fell sharply due to diseases brought in by Europeans, their number stabilized already in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. And in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the number of people speaking Native American languages \u200b\u200bincreased quite significantly, although in general their share in the population continued to decline, as there was an even faster increase in the number of Hispanic mestizos. And yet, the official language of Mexico is still significantly influenced by the Native American dialects, which are still spoken by seven to ten percent of the population.
Many Mexicanisms, words, grammatical and phonetic expressions that are characteristic of spoken Spanish in Mexico are directly explained by the influence of autochthonous languages.
Mexico City - the capital of New Spain
Another important factor in the formation of Mexican Spanish is the status of Mexico City itself (formerly Tenochtitlan), a city that was the capital of New Spain for three centuries. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, many people came here from Madrid. Therefore, Mexican Spanish, like American English, is largely based on its corresponding European counterpart.
In Spain itself, the language continued to develop further, and in Mexico it seemed to freeze after the country gained independence at the beginning of the nineteenth century and began to form independently.
Mexico. Spanish
Spanish in Mexico is a group of dialects, adverbs and sociolects that make up a special variant of Spanish, based on the language norms of the Mexican capital, Mexico City, which is the literary standard for this variant.
Speaking about what language is spoken in Mexico, it should be noted that in most regions of the country, Spanish is used close to the capital norm, with the exception of the special dialects of Chiapas (Central American Spanish) and Yucatan (Yucatan Spanish, which is based on the Caribbean version).
Mexican Spanish is the native language of approximately 125 million people, over 100 million of whom live in Mexico and approximately 25 million in the United States, mainly in the borderlands of California, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. This Spanish variant is the only one official language at the federal level, as well as, along with many Native American dialects, one of the official at the state level.
Now you know what language is spoken in Mexico. It is worth noting that Mexican Spanish, among other things, is the basis for the Spanish language in the United States, which is widely used in education and the media. It is also the most widely spoken language variant of Spanish in the world, as it is native to the vast majority of Mexicans, and they account for about 29 percent of Spanish speakers worldwide.
Phonological and other features
It is not enough to know what language is spoken in Mexico, you still need to have an idea of \u200b\u200ba number of changes taking place in the language system. So, in the country, linguistic territories are expanding (similar to how it was in Spain, when Spanish supplanted other languages \u200b\u200bthat existed on the Iberian Peninsula), phonological changes occur (the letter j begins to be pronounced differently, the sound [θ] gradually disappears and changes to [s], words borrowed from Native American dialects are phonetically adapted).
Those who first encountered the modern Mexican version of Spanish note its "conservatism." In the works of Spanish writers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, there are words that today are considered archaisms in Spain and are almost unrecognizable by native speakers or are used very rarely. However, in the Mexican version, they are not perceived as archaic and continue to be used.
In the article, we talked about what language is spoken in Mexico. We hope this information is useful to you. All the best!
Mexico is a country about which few people know anything interesting. Most of the world's inhabitants know this state as the place where such masterpieces of cinema as "Wild Rose", "Just Maria", "The Rich Also Cry" and other soap operas that won the hearts of millions of residents of the post-Soviet territories in the nineties were born. Meanwhile, Mexico is a beautiful land, with an ancient and magical history, amazing sights inherited from the Mayan prophets and unsurpassed nature that has been formed over the centuries.
The very first civilizations
The area of \u200b\u200bMexico is 1,972,550 km 2. In addition, its territories include approximately 6,000 km 2 of islands located in the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Mexican Sea, and Naturally, not all of these lands immediately belonged to the country. They were conquered, given, returned back, and this lasted until the state known to modern man was formed. Excavations in 1947, carried out in Tepespan and other possessions of the country, proved that the first man appeared on the territory of this part of America no less than 22 thousand years ago. By the 5th-6th century BC, the first settled civilizations were formed here. They were involved in the cultivation of legumes, pumpkins and maize.
Historians know several ancient cultures in Mexico. One of them is the Olmecs, who inhabited the modern area of \u200b\u200bMexico somewhere from the 12th to the 5th century BC. e. The centers of this civilization were mainly in Tres Zapotes, Cerro de las Mesas and La Venta. Today these are the states of Tabasco, Guerrero and Veracruz. The Olmecs had a fairly strong influence on civilizations that arose a little later. Their prosperity dates back to the 4th-9th centuries AD. Today these cultures are considered classic. These include the civilization of Teotihuacan, Zapotecs, Totonacs, and, of course, the Maya.
The arrival of the Spaniards
The Mexican lands were famous for their extraordinary wealth. The Spanish conquistadors heard about their treasures. In 1511, a Spanish ship wrecked near.This was the first meeting between the peoples inhabiting Central America, and Europeans. Jerónimo de Aguilar is the man who managed to survive that catastrophe. He stayed with the Maya. Jeronimo mastered the language of this people, and eight years later he became a translator on an expedition led by Hernan Cortez.
Mexico is a country where in 1517 both its study and conquest took place. Diego Velazquez - the governor of Cuba - has equipped several expeditions here. The first of them was headed in 1517 by Francisco Hernandez de Cordova, the second was held under the leadership of Juan de Grijalva in 1518. And the last one took place in 1519. Hernan Cortez was its head. It was he who conquered the empire that belonged to the Aztecs, and became the governor of those territories that he managed to subordinate to his laws.
Mexico landmarks
Mexico is a state that has experienced a lot of suffering in its lifetime. And the witnesses of all these tests are, of course, the sights of the country. There are a lot of them here. Visit all these amazing places pretty hard. But there are some special exhibits that you just need to see firsthand. One of these is This giant reached a height of 5636 meters and is considered the highest Mexican peak. Orizaba is mostly referred to as a mountain, but in reality it is not. After all, this is a real volcano. The largest number of eruptions took place at the border of the XVI-XVII centuries. During this time, there were already seven powerful explosions. After one of them in 1687, Orizaba fell asleep. The Aztecs called it Citlatepetl - a mountain that aspires to the stars.
Fort San Diego is also worth a visit. It is a pentagonal building, shaped like a star. It is located in Acapulco. The fort was built to protect merchant ships and the city from pirates from Holland and England. San Diego was built in the 17th century. It is the only historical landmark in Acapulco that has survived to this day.
Formation of the Mexican capital
The capital of Mexico is called Mexico City. But the city did not always bear such a name. It used to be called Tenochtitlan. The city was founded in 1325 by the Aztecs. There is a legend according to which Huitzilopochtli - the sun god - ordered the Indians to come here. He told the Aztecs to settle in the place where they would meet a proud eagle, which would sit on a tall cactus and hold a snake in its beak. The Indians searched for such a territory for a long time, but still found it and founded a settlement there. This is how Tenochtitlan appeared on the western shore of Lake Texcoco. It later became the capital of the Aztec state.
The capital of Mexico is an indescribable beauty. The first Europeans to be struck by the splendor of Tenochtitlan called it the Venice of the Aztecs. This unsurpassed city has existed for almost two hundred years. It was conquered by the Spaniards, so it was badly destroyed. In 1521 on the site of the ruins was created new town - Mexico City.
City of contrasts
The capital of Mexico is a city full of contrasts. He either likes it at first sight, or causes irritation and a burning desire to leave him immediately and go to a place where it is a little quieter. Unrivaled museums and buildings sit side by side with poor quarters, while ancient churches and fragrant parks, synonymous with peace, border bustling and busy streets. In short, Mexico City is multifaceted locality, it is special, unpredictable and mesmerizing, like, in principle, the country itself.
Mexico City museums
The capital's museums are one of the main attractions of the city. Mexico, the capital of Mexico City in particular, is simply oversaturated with them. The most beautiful and impressive institutions are located here. First of all, I would like to mention the Mexico City Museum. It is housed in a Baroque palace. was built in the 18th century and belonged to the count's family of Santiago de Calimaya, who was a descendant of the famous conquistador Cortez. The museum in this house was opened only in 1964. There are 26 halls showing the history of the development of the capital of Mexico from the time of the Aztecs to modern days.
The house-museum of Leon Trotsky is considered to be no less famous. The great publicist lived in it for the last few months of his existence, and here he was killed in 1940. The capital of Mexico is the city that provided political shelter to the famous revolutionary in 1937. On August 20, 1990, the house-museum was officially opened. Here is a public library, which carefully stores the works of Trotsky, some of his documents.
Palaces of Mexico City
Among all the attractions of this city, I would like to note the palaces, which are majestically located in their honorable territories. The capital of Mexico (photo can be viewed in our article) boasts the Chapultepec Palace. This is the most famous castle in all of North America. Emperors, presidents and governors of the country used to stay here. The palace is located on the hill of the same name, the height of which reaches 2325 meters above sea level. King Bernard de Galvez initiated the founding of the castle. Today, numerous excursions are held here, which all visitors, without exception, like.
The Palace of Fine Arts is another attraction that has won the hearts of many travelers. it opera theatre, and it is located in the heart of Mexico City. The building is the largest structure on the planet, for the construction of which was used Carrara marble. The domes of this architectural masterpiece are finished with Italian marble. And the interior of the theater was created by Federico Mariscal.
Latin american tower
As mentioned above, the country of Mexico (whose capital is Mexico City) is a state full of contrasts. But besides them, it is also filled with paradoxes. One of these is the Latin American Tower - an 183-meter building located in the center of the capital. This building is located in an earthquake-prone area, but this did not prevent it from successfully surviving several powerful earthquakes.
The tower has 44 floors. And the building was created not so long ago, in 1956. Today it is used as an office center. You can move from floor to floor using a high-speed elevator, of which there are, by the way, two: one in just half a minute will take you to the 37th tier, and the other reaches the 42nd floor, where there is a cafe and an observation deck.
The day of the Dead
No, no, don't be afraid, it's traditional. Just if you are lucky enough to visit the country when it takes place, be sure to visit it. The country of Mexico (the capital in particular) celebrates this day on the first and second of November. These events are an occasion for the whole family and friends to gather in order to pray and remember those who are no longer around. During the celebrations, not a single bank has been operating in the country. So, people go to cemeteries, where they want to be a little with the souls of the dead. They build altars on the graves, on which they display photographs, favorite drinks and dishes, memorabilia of the one who rests in the ground.
The skull is the main symbol of this holiday. People celebrating the Day of the Dead cover their faces with masks, put on skeletal costumes, cook skulls from chocolate or sugar, and write their names on the forehead of a kind of dessert. Perhaps for us this is somewhat wild, but there it is in the order of things. Sweet skulls are presented as a souvenir to both the living and the dead. The capital of Mexico is called Mexico City, and in the first two days of November it can be called a dead city.
It will be interesting for you
Mexico - amazing country, and the capital of Mexico is generally something unique. And there are things that will surprise every person for whom this region is of at least the slightest interest. So, here are some fun facts about this state:
- Every year 20 million people visit it.
- Brazil - Mexico is a football match held between these states in the summer of 2014. The game ended with a score of 0: 0.
- A pyramid called Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the world, is located in Mexico.
- uses 80 varieties of pepper.
Instead of a conclusion
It is Mexico that is home to everyone's favorite chocolate. It is also the only country in Latin America to host the Olympic Games. So pack your bags, an exciting journey awaits you!
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