Chapter 11
Mexico
Mexico
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Country name: United Mexican States, Mexico
Capital: Mexico City
Location: Middle America, bordering the
Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between
Belize and the US and bordering the North
Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the US
Border countries: Belize, Guatemala, US
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Government type: federal republic
Administrative divisions: 31 states
Population: 104,907,991 (July 2003 est.) (most
populous Spanish-speaking country)
Languages: Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and
other regional indigenous languages
Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 89%,
Protestant 6%, other 5%
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GDP – per capita: purchasing power parity $8,900 (82nd in the world) (2002 est.)
Industries: food and beverages, tobacco,
chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining,
textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer
durables, tourism
Currency: Mexican peso (MXN) (CIA, World
Fact Book)
Important Facts
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Among the top 10 destinations in the world
19.7 million international tourist arrivals (8th highest)
 $ 8.9 billion international tourism receipts (the third
highest in North America) (WTO, 2003)
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Terrain: high, rugged mountains; low coastal
plains; high plateaus; desert. Has diverse
landscapes: mountains, volcanic regions, coastal
plains, white sand beaches, Yucatan’s thick
tropical jungle
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Climate: varies from tropical to desert (CIA,
World Fact Book).
Coastline: 9,330 km
Selling Points
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Historical sites, archaeological ruins, cultural
attractions, beaches, fishing, water sports (scuba
diving, snorkeling, surfing), bullfighting,
shopping (handicrafts), spas, music and dance,
relaxation and moderate prices.
Brief History
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home of great indigenous civilizations (the Aztec, Maya,
Toltec, Mixtec, Zapotec, and Olmec)
Mayan (occupying the Yucatan and east Chiapas in
Mexico) history is divided into three periods: Pre-Classic
period (1500 BC – AD 300) – corn was cultivated,
calendar, chronology and hieroglyphic writing cultivated;
Early Classic (300 – 600) - Mayan culture spread
throughout the area; Late Classic (600 – 900) - greatest
accomplishments in art and science
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Olmec; ancient people (1300 – 400 BC) of the east
Mexico lowlands; highly developed agricultural society;
earthen platforms and pyramidal mounds were common
features of their settlements; had hieroglyphic writing
system
Toltec; indigenous civilization of Mexico had dominated
the Maya (11th – 13th century) until nomadic Chichimec
peoples destroyed their empire which opened the way
for the Aztec. Their religion incorporated human
sacrifice, sun worship and a sacred ball game
Aztec; indigenous people dominating central Mexico at
the time of the Spanish conquest (16th century)
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Mixtec; indigenous people of south western Mexico.
They spreaded southward between 900 – 14th century.
They resisted the Spanish in the 16th century. There are
about 500.000 Mixtec-speaking people in Mexico today
Zapotec; indigenous people of south Mexico. They
believed themselves born directly from rocks, trees and
jaguars. They had a high civilization 2000 years ago.
They remained autonomous until the arrival of the
Spanish by allying with the Aztec. Their culture blends
native and Spanish elements
occupied by Spanish in the early 16th century
received independence from Spain in 1822
East Coast Resorts/Yucatan
Peninsula
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Cancun
Mexico’s leading tourist destination
 technically an island, shaped like the number 7
 downtown Cancun; an original town offering tourist
restaurants and shops
 ultramodern hotels, terrific beaches, good deep-sea
diving, water sports, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing,
 hotels on Hotel Row having beautiful architecture
 entertainment possibilities include Ballet Folklorino,
discos and nightclubs
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Chichen Itza
the older parts of the city are classic Maya and
Toltecs
 well preserved stone carvings
 pyramid shaped castle; Castle of Kukulkan having
92 steps in each 4 sides
 other buildings of interest; Temple of the Warriors,
Ball Court, Sacred Well (the site of human-sacrifice
ceremonies)
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Cozumel
an island 65 km south of Cancun
 San Miguel is the only town on the island; lively
place; scooters, mopeds or jeeps are rented to
explore the island
 snorkeling, diving, and fishing, excursions to Mayan
ruins
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Isla Mujeres
haven for divers and anglers for years
 the “Cave of the Sleeping Sharks” is famous among
adventurous and brave divers
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Merida
capital of Yucatan
 charming colonial city; the first strongholds of the
Spanish in the New Spain
 offers good shopping and delicious Yucatecan food
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West Coast Resorts and Oaxaca
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Acapulco
finest resort in Mexico
 steep mountains, a wide curved shore lined with
palm trees and golden beaches are characteristic of
Acapulco
 La Quebrada-cliff diving; divers leaping from 45 m
up rocks since 1934
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Los Cabos
located at the southern tip of Baja California;
colorful place reminding Southern California
 full of mega resorts and championship golf courses
 top fishing spot, plus offers golden sand, clear blue
water suitable for snorkeling, surfing, sailing
 resorts offer variety of activities; from golf, tennis,
horseback riding to party-boat cruises
 the Arch; sea arch carved out of rock by water;
whales can be spotted nearby
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Huatulco
nine bays with cleanest, safest and least crowded
beaches and big waves (great for bodysurfing)
 more than 70 % of the area is ecological reserve
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Ixtapa
like Cancun, has little Mexican flavor
 offers snorkeling around the little islands with
mountain view at the background
 known for its great fishing, 5 km south to
Zihuatanejo especially good for serious fishermen
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Oaxaca
loveliest state capital in Mexico
 has the country’s largest Indian market
 has ancient ruins, colonial architecture and good
food
 church of Santo Domingo; white interior, beautifully
painted dome, gold leaf everywhere
 Regional Museum; exhibits jewelry from ancient
tombs
 Saturday Indian market; little Spanish is heard,
mostly Mixtec and Zapotec spoken
 Monte Alban; an ancient city built around 600BC
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Mazatlan
a real Mexican city with colonial buildings and
cobble stone streets
 offers also deep-sea fishing, endless beaches and
golfing
 Mazatlan Aquarium; 200 species of fish including
piranhas, marlins and sharks
 Olas Atlas; the city’s first beachfront hotels, has
structures from 19th and early 20th century
 carnival; with parades, coronation parties, street
dances, floats, fireworks, costumed merrymakers
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Puerto Vallarta
one of Mexico’s most picturesque resort city with
cobblestone streets, white buildings, red tile roofs,
palm-tree covered mountains, deep blue ocean
 best known for its beaches, gorgeous water, scenic
beauty, excellent restaurants, shops and varied
activities
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Mexico City and Central Mexico
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Mexico City
20 million people live here, millions in poverty
 its the cultural center of the country and one of the
world’s great capitals
 city for world class-art and food, great music and
some of the finest antiquities anywhere
 Zocalo; the central square of the city; the
surrounding are is known as “historic center”
 The Metropolitan Cathedral; built on top of Aztec
capital city, ruins were first uncovered in 1978
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El Museo del Templo Mayor; houses art craft from
the ruins
 National Palace; stunning murals by Diego Rivera
 Alameda Central; park with fountains and full with
museums such as Palace of Fine arts (where Ballet
Folklorico performs)
 La Zona Rosa; trendy cosmopolitan section with fine
hotels, restaurants and nightlife including the
Chapultepec Park
 Museum of Anthropology; must see place with
Aztec Calendar Stone and other Maya items
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Coyoacan
was home to Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Leon
Trotsky
 Kahlo’s home is now a museum/gallery
 San Angel; where the home/studio/museum of
Diego Rivera is
 University of Mexico; is the country’s architectural
showpiece; O’Gorman mosaics on the library’s
façade and the Rivera mosaics over the main
entrance of the Olympic Stadium
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Guadalajara
Mexico's second largest city
 colonial architecture, museum, gardens, shopping,
nightlife
 the Cathedral and the surrounding plazas
 Mercado Libertad; Guadalajara's largest market
 Guadalajara Zoo; one of the largest in Latin
America
 day trips to tequila distilleries
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San Miguel de Allende
artists and writers colony, US retirement community
 founded in 1542 when silver was discovered in the
area
 has splendid buildings, cobblestone streets, art
galleries and shops
 Queretaro; 18th century city nearby San Miguel de
Allende where Emperor Maximilian was executed,
has interesting regional museum, churches and
plazas
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Teotihuacan
one of the most interesting and accessible
archaeological attractions
 once an Indian civilization
 an Aztec area with two very impressive structures:
Pyramid of the Sun (70 meters high), Pyramid of
the Moon
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Border Towns and Northern Mexico
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reasons to visit are; bullfight or horse race or to
say you have been to Mexico
important border towns are; Cuidad Juarez,
Nuevo Laredo, Nogales, Tijuana
Tijuana is the largest border town
Cultural Center - a multimillion-dollar showcase
displaying exhibits about Mexico’s people, events
and culture
 Mexitlan- reflects 1500 years of Mexican history
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