Mexico

1. Mexico By: Pedro Gonzalez

2. Basic Information FLAG LOCATION: North America

3. GOVERNMENT Type of Government: Federal Republic Description: • Must elect president every 6 years • Must vote, it’s the law • National Congress makes laws • Congress: the Senate and Chamber of Deputies • Mexico has 31states and 1federal district • Congress can’t serve consecutive terms

4. GEOGRAPHY There are many different landforms in Mexico. In Mexico there are mostly plateaus. There are also many mountain ranges in Mexico. Many jungles are spread through out the far south of Mexico. There are plains in some parts of Mexico as well. Mexico has dry and hot deserts near the south. Mexico also has bright sunny beaches in the Gulf of Mexico that many families enjoy going to. There are a few active volcanoes in Mexico.

5. CLIMATE Mexico has a warm climate. The average temperature in Southern Mexico is near or is 90˚ F. It’s mostly hot in Mexico. In Mexico it has a tropical climate especially around the Gulf of Mexico. The climate does not change very often. Mexico City’s temperature is in the 70’s year-round. Between the mountains it is warm during the day and cold during the night. Mexico has many popular beach resorts. At Acapulco the average temperature in January is 79˚ F and in June it is 84˚ F.

6. FAMOUS LANDMARKS Name of Landmark: El Castillo Located in: Yucatan region Special Facts: it has 365 steps, one for each day of the year Name of Landmark: Pyramid of the Sun Located in: at Teotihuacan Special Facts: it was built about 2,000 years ago, its volume is greater than any of the Egyptian Pyramids

7. LANGUAGE:

8. COMMON FOODS Mexican foods often include tortillas. Tortillas are made in many dishes such as tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas. The tortillas are almost always made of corn. Most Mexicans eat 4 meals: a light breakfast, an early lunch, a main meal in the late afternoon, and a light snack in the night. Mexican people eat a lot of rice and beans. In Mexico almost everything is served with cornmeal and\or flour tortillas.

9. SPORTS & HOBBIES There are many famous sports and hobbies in Mexico. Jai Alai is a sport like racquet ball where the players attach racquets to their arms and use them to hit the ball against the walls. The ball can travel up to 250 km.( 155 m.)per hour. Soccer is another famous sport. You can only use your leg to kick the ball and your head and chest to hit the ball, but you cannot use your to grab the ball unless you are the goalie. Bullfighting is Mexico’s national sport. A man called a Matador holds a red cape and an angry bull charges towards the Matador. The brave Matador quickly gets out of the way and tries to kill the bull before the bull hurts him or injures him.

10. FAMOUS PEOPLE There are many famous people in Mexican history. Pancho Villa is one of many famous people. At 16 Pancho Villa killed a man who attacked his own sister. Pancho Villa was a leader of many armies during the Mexican Revolution. Diego Rivera is another famous person. Diego Rivera married Frida Kahlo, another famous person. Diego Rivera is a famous artist who painted bold, colorful murals of scenes from Mexican life. Diego’s artwork is most cherished examples honoring the working class and native Mexicans.

11. OTHER INTERESTING FACTS • Mexico is actually called “The United Mexican States” • Tortillas –almost always made of corn • Aztecs-made every day human sacrifices to the Sun god • Mexico City- home to one of the largest bullfighting arenas in the world, it has 50,000 seats • Many rural families do not have telephones or running water • Third-largest country in North America

12. IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS • Bullfighting- a important contribution • Tortillas-another important contribution • Flauta-a kind of Mexican food and also another important contribution