MEXICO

This is Mexico's current flag, and it has had this design since 1968. Their flag's coat of arms is based on an Aztec legend.

Mexico

Major Cities

• The capital of Mexico is Mexico City with a population of 8,851,080.
• Some of the main cities are: Etatepec with a population of 1,665,015, Guadalajara with a population of 1,495,182, Puebla with a population of 1,434,062, and Juarez with a population of 1,321,004.

POPULATION

• The population in Mexico is 123,799,215.
• 62% are Mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish). Meztizo comes from a word meaning mixed. It means to have European and Amerindian blood.
• 21% are predominantly Amerindian, which means to be mostly Amerindian.
• 7% are Amerindian. Amerindian means to be both American and Indian.
• And 10% are other (mostly European).

GEOGRAPHY

• Mexico is about 750,000 square miles.
• It is bordered by the U.S., Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea.
• The Mexican and U.S. Border is 2,000 miles long.

CLIMATE

• The climate of Mexico's coasts is very hot and humid.
• Mexico City is 7545.93 feet above sea level. So, it can reach under freezing during the winter and have snow capped volcanos.
• Almost 2/3 of the country has plateaus and mountains.

CLIMATE 2

• Northern Mexico has extreme changes in weather. In this way, it is much like the U.S.
• The rainy season is from May to October. There is little rain the rest of the year.
• Most of Mexico is sunny for the greater portion of the year.

LANDFORMS

• Mexico has two mountain ranges.
• One is called the Sierra Madre Occidental. It's highest point is at 10,662 feet above sea level. It has steep mountains and is cut by canyons.
• One of these canyons is named Copper Canyon. It is the deepest in North America.
• The other mountain range is called the Sierra Madre del Sur. This mountain range is in southern Mexico. It is 1,000 miles long.

LANDFORMS 2

• Mexico averages 6,000 feet above sea level.
• Mexico has almost 150 rivers, but most of them are small. 70% of them drain into the Pacific Ocean.
• The Rio Grande River starts in Colorado, flows for about 1,900 miles, and forms most of the border with the U.S.

RELIGIONS

• The most important religions in Mexico are: Catholics at 87.9%, Protestants and Evangelists at 5.2%, Non-Evangelical Biblicals at 2.1%, Jews at 0.5%, None at 2.5%, Other at 1.2%

HOLIDAYS

• Mexico celebrates Diez y Seis. This is their Independence Day. They enjoy fireworks, food, and music.
• Mexico has a Day of the Dead. This is like our All Souls Day. They celebrate the dead by making altars for their dead family members and decorating them with photos and such. They have refreshments and exchange symbolic gifts.

HOLIDAYS 2

• Mexico has a Christmas season similar to ours. However, traditionally the children in Mexico received all of their presents on the Feast of the Three Kings day on January 8th. Now though, the U.S. is influencing them. The kids are starting to get two days during the season to receive gifts.

POPULAR SPORTS

• Mexico's by far most popular sport is soccer.
• Their biggest stadium is called the Eztadio Azteca in Mexico City.
• They are ranked 40th in the FIFA World rankings, and they are ranked 13th in World Football Elo ratings.
• Mexico has qualified in 15 World Cups. They have qualified consecutively since 1994 and are one of only six teams that have done so.

POPULAR SPORTS 2

• The farthest they have made it into the World Cup was to the quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986.
• They are one of only three teams to make it out of the group stage over the last six World Cups.
• A few famous Mexican soccer players are: Javier Hernandes, forward; Guillermo Ochoa, goalkeeper; Carlos Vela, forward and midfielder; Giovani Santos, forward and midfielder; and Andres Guardado, defender and midfielder.

FOOD

• Mexicans eat many foods. Some are tacos, enchiladas, burritos, tortillas, quesadilla and black bean salsa. I like tacos, but do not think I would like black bean salsa. I would always prefer to have queso , instead of salsa with my chips, especially if it came with beans in it!

CLOTHS

• Women in Mexico wear traditional skirts called hupillas, sleeveless tunics, a quechquamit or closed shoulder cape, and a rebozoia shawl.
• Men wear European like trousers, shirts, and a large blanket cape called a Sarape.

SITES TO SEE

• If I were visiting Mexico, I would like to see: The Arch of Cabo San Lucas, The Pyramids of the Sun, Isla Contoy, and ... of course ... Our Lady of Guadeloupe!

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