Culture
and
Education
in Mexico
English Language Learner Program
Des Moines Public Schools
M
e
x
i
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o
•Lies just south of the U.S.A.
•To the east is the Yucatan Peninsula
with its shores in the Gulf of Mexico
•To the west is the Pacific Ocean
•To the south lie Belize and Guatemala
• Mexico's history was born
of numerous cultural,
ethnic, and political
contributions from several
major indigenous
civilizations. Also greatly
influencing the early
Mexican society were the
Spanish colonists and a
small African population
which served colonial
leaders
Government and Its People
• Mexico is a federal democratic republic
divided into 31 states
• Mexico City (Distrito Federal) is the capital
of Mexico. The site has been a capital
since before the arrival of the Spanish.
• Mexico has more than 97 million people.
• Spanish is the official language of Mexico.
• Religion: Mostly Roman Catholic
Government and Its People
Cont.
• During Spain’s colonization of Mexico,
virtually all of the old Aztec city of
Tenochitlan (now Mexico City) was
destroyed by the Spanish in their quest to
convert the Indians to Christianity and
erase their past. El Templo Mayor, is all
that is left of the Great Temple of the
Aztecs. The ruin sits off the northeast
corner of the Zócalo, the city's massive
main square.
Climate
• The Northern Region of Mexico is arid
(moderate to low rainfall) with higher temps
• Highland climates vary with elevation but can
be cool at night even in the summer.
• The central plateau generally has a
moderate climate with a few extremes of hot
and cold.
• Rainfall patterns in the Valley of Mexico
have been altered by substantial industrial
pollution. June-Sept. is the rainy season.
Family
• The Mexican culture centers around the
nuclear and extended family.
• Children are taught to respect adults and
elders are cared for by their families.
• Traditionally the man is the head of the
household and this custom continues even
today.
• Mexican social life generally centers on
family-get-togethers.
Mexico’s National Holidays
•January 1st - Año Nuevo - New Year's Day
•February 5th - Día de la Constitución - Constitution
Day
•February 24th - Día de la Bandera - Flag Day
•March 21st - Día de Nacimiento de Benito Juárez Birthday of Benito Juárez
•May 1st - Día del Trabajo - Labor Day
•May 5th - Cinco de Mayo – Celebrates Mexico's
defeat of the French in 1862.
•May 10th - Día de las Madres - Mother's Day
• September 16th - Día de la Independencia –
Mexico's independence from Spain.
• October 12th - Día de la Raza – ‘Day of the Race’
commemorates Columbus' discovery of
Mexico and its people.
• September 1st - Informe Presidencial – Marks the
President's address to the legislature
• November 1st - Catholic ‘Día de Todos Santos’ or
All Saints' Day.
• November 20th - Día de la Revolución Mexicana
- Revolution Day - Honors the Mexican
Revolution of 1910.
• December 25th - Día de Navidad - Christmas Day
Although these aren’t official holidays, Mexico
also celebrates the following festivals:
– Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead
(November 2nd) - Souls of the departed are
believed to return to earth and families visit
graveyards to decorate and celebrate their
loved ones past.
– Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
(December 12th) - honors Our Lady of
Guadalupe who is Mexico's national
patroness.
•
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON
http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/nacimnto.htm or
http://www.mexico-info.com
Education / Educacíon
• Students either wear uniforms or
have dress code at school.
• Primaria
– 1st through 6th gr.
• Secundaria
– 7th through 9th gr.
• Preparatoria
– 10th through 12th gr.
Website on Latino-Hispanic Culture
• www.42explore2.com/latino.htm
• More information about education in
Mexico will be added soon.