La cultura: Mexico

1. México

Mexico is a country rich in ancient history, and the evidence of this is still present today. You can still hear many indigenous languages spoken that have survived for centuries. You can also visit Chichén Itzá, where the Mayans flourished from 600 to 1200 AD. Mexico borders the United States to the north, and both Guatemala and Belize to the south.

1a. Datos interesantes (Interesting Facts)

Here are some facts about Mexico’s geography and culture:

• 69 different languages are spoken in Mexico, 68 of which are indigenous languages.
• Mexico is the 10th most populated country in the world, and almost 22 million people live in Mexico City.
• The axolotl is an endangered salamander whose natural habitat is Lake Xochimilco, in Mexico City.
• The largest pyramid on Earth is Cholula, in Puebla.
• Mexico City was built on a lake and is sinking every year.
• The national symbol of Mexico is a golden eagle standing on a cactus with a snake in its beak.
• The first printing press in North America was located in Mexico City.
• Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is located in Mexico.
• The Mexican/U.S. border touches all of these states: Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California in the United States; Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Chihuahua, Sonora, and Baja California in Mexico.
• There are 48 active volcanoes in Mexico.
• When you are writing in Spanish, be sure to include an accent mark over the e in México.

1b. Típico y curiosidades (Typical and Interesting Things)

The chile pepper, corn, and chocolate all began in Mexico, but the burrito is one of the most well known Mexican dishes. The origin of the name has several theories; one of the most accepted is that the man that invented burritos sold them on a cart with burros (donkeys).

Here are the names and images of some typical foods and drinks in Mexico.

Comidas típicas

Comida (Food)	Picture	Comida (Food)	Picture
mexcom.mp3
tacos		burritos
quesadillas		gorditas
enchiladas		pozole
tamales		fajitas
aguachile		tejate
ceviche		pozol
pescado a la veracruzana		camarones al mojo de ajo
huaraches		cochinita pibil
elotes		pollo en salsa pipián
huevos rancheros		huevos a la mexicana
chilaquiles		mole
chapulines		helado de elote
helado de mamey		pambazo

Bedidas típicas

Bebida (Drink)	Picture	Bebida (Drink)	Picture
mexbeb.mp3
horchata		jamaica
atole		tequila
mezcal		pulque
michelada		chelada

did you know

The Nahuatl are a group of people native to southern Mexico and Central America, including the Aztecs. The following words have Nahuatl origin: tomate, chocolate, aguacate, mezcal, guacamole, coyote, chile, ocelote, axolotl, chipotle.

1c. Celebraciones (Celebrations)

Mexico has many amazing celebrations that are vibrant with music, food, dance, and tradition. Many are based on traditions that indigenous people have passed down for centuries that form an important part of Mexican culture.

Here are some significant yearly celebrations in Mexico:

• Día de Reyes (January 6)
• Día de la Candelaria (February 2)
• Día de la Constitución (February 5)
• Benito Juarez (March 21)
• Semana Santa (March or April)
• Día de la Independencia (September 16)
• Día de la Raza (October 12)
• Día de los Muertos (November 2)
• Día de la Revolución (November 20)
• Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (December 12)
• Posadas (December)

1d. Personas famosas y lugares interesantes (Famous People and Interesting Places)

Here are some famous people in art, film, music, and other industries who hail from Mexico or have Mexican roots:

• Gael García Bernal
• Cantinflas
• Chicharito
• Cuauhtémoc
• Alfonso Cuarón
• Vicente Fernández
• Salma Hayek
• Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz
• Pedro Infante
• Frida Kahlo
• Diego Luna
• Luis Miguel
• Octavio Paz
• Diego Rivera
• Guillermo del Toro
• Chavela Vargas
• Julieta Venegas
• Pancho Villa

CULTURAL INSIGHT: CHICHÉN ITZÁ

Would you like to visit one of the most renowned archeological sites in Mexico? Visit Chichén Itzá!

This is one of the largest Mayan cities, and it is located on the Yucatán Peninsula. The site covers two miles and each building and structure gives us a look into the culture and life of the Mayan people during the years 600–1200 AD. In the Mayan language, Chichén Itzá means “at the mouth of the well of the Itzá.” Itzá can be translated as the “enchanter of the water.” Chichén Itzá was a major economic power, especially during the years 900 AD–1200 AD, because it had Isla Cerritos as a port for trading. It became a regional capital and dominated the northern Maya lowlands in all political, economic, and sociocultural aspects of life.

Some of the most famous structures you can still visit are the Temple of Kukulcán (El Castillo); the Temple of Warriors; the Great Ball Court; the Osario Group, which includes the pyramid of the same name, as well as the Temple of Xtoloc; and the Central Group, which includes the Caracol.

You may also want to visit a famous cenote (natural sinkhole) called the cenote sagrado. It is believed that this cenote served as a place of pilgrimage where the Mayan people would conduct sacrifices in times of drought. Things that were thrown into this type of ancient well as a sacrifice included pottery, gold, rubber, and even humans.

The Mayan people developed the only complete writing system in Mesoamerica, and they were tremendous astronomers, architects, engineers, and mathematicians. They knew the yearly calendar precisely; at Chichén Itzá, a shadow of a serpent even appears down the length of a pyramid during the spring and autumn equinoxes.