•Officially called the United Mexican States, Mexico is a vibrant, diverse country situated in the southern aspect of North America. It shares a border to the north with the United States, is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the south and west, by Guatemala, Belize, and the Carribean Sea to the southeast, and by the Gulf of Mexico to the east. It has a population of about 130 million, surpassing 130 million, as such it is the 10th most populous country in the world and is the most populous Spanish-speaking nation.
Geography and Climate
Mexico is a land of different geographical characteristics, such as deserts, rain forests, valleys and mountains. The Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental mountain ranges converge, providing scenery and biodiversity. Its climate, arid and semi-arid in the north to tropical in the south, allows for the support of flora and fauna as diverse as one can have in such a relative short geographic space.
History and Ancient Civilizations
The history of Mexico stretches back thousands of years and includes some of the Americas' most sophisticated ancient civilizations. The Olmecs, the Mayans, and the Aztecs all thrived on what is now modern-day Mexico. The Mayans constructed cities such as Chichén Itzá and Tulum, while the Aztecs made their capital the present-day Mexico City of Tenochtitlán.
In 1521, the Aztec Empire fell to a band of Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés, initiating nearly 300 years of colonialism for Mexico by the Spanish colonists. Mexico officially gained independence from Spain in 1821 after years of brutal struggle. Each year, we celebrate that independence on September 16th as Independence Day.
Culture and Traditions
The culture of Mexico represents a blend of indigenous traditions and Spanish influences. Mexican culture is vibrant, noted for its colorful festivals, music, dance, and art, among many other characteristics. Some of Mexico's best-known traditional celebrations include Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead). While these celebrations honor loved ones who have passed away, they also epitomize Mexico's unique worldview of life and death.
Among other notable characteristics, Mexico's food is also unique around the world. UNESCO considers Mexican cuisine an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (ICICH). The world embraced Mexican cuisine for its flavor, variety, and the basic ingredients used such as: corn, beans, chili peppers, and avocados. Whether it is tacos, enchiladas, mole, or tamales these dishes find commonality in Mexico and beyond.
Economy and Industry
Mexico has the 15th largest economy in the world based on nominal GDP. Mexico has a mixed economy based on manufacturing, oil, tourism, agriculture, and growing technology sectors. Mexico is a party to trade agreements like the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which has greatly profited the manufacturing and exporting industries of Mexico.
Tourism is a key sector in the economy, with millions of tourists each year visiting the country's beaches, archeological sights, colonial cities, and modern urban cities. Popular tourist destinations are Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Mexico City, Oaxaca, and Guadalajara.
Society and Modern Development
Mexican society is made up of diverse communities, including mestizo (mixed indigenous and European), indigenous, Afro-Mexican, and immigrant. Spanish is the most spoken language in Mexico, but many indigenous languages are still spoken, including Nahuatl, Maya, and Mixtec.
In these past decades, education and healthcare have improved in Mexico, though there are still urban-rural divides. Mexico has faced issues of corruption, crime, and drug-related violence in past decades, but attempts at repairing the damage at both the local and national level continues.
Conclusion
Mexico is a country of contradictions and continuity, where the traditions of centuries ago mingle with modern life. From Mayans and Aztecs to the present, Mexico has been a cultural juggernaut of global importance. From food to music, art, and hospitality, Mexico has a way of offering the world rich, colourful, and unique experiences.
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