Discover Mexico's Rich Cultural Heritage and Beautiful Landscapes

1. Chapter 11 Mexico

2. Mexico • 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

4. 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%

5. 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)

6. Important Facts • 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) • 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

7. Climate: varies from tropical to desert(CIA, World Fact Book). • Coastline: 9,330 km

8. Selling Points • 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.

9. Brief History • 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. East Coast Resorts/Yucatan Peninsula • 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

13. 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)

14. 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 • Isla Mujeres • haven for divers and anglers for years • the “Cave of the Sleeping Sharks” is famous among adventurous and brave divers

15. Merida • capital of Yucatan • charming colonial city; the first strongholds of the Spanish in the New Spain • offers good shopping and delicious Yucatecan food

16. West Coast Resorts and Oaxaca • 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

17. 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

18. 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 • 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Mexico City and Central Mexico • 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. Border Towns and Northern Mexico • 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