Welcome to Mexico

1. Welcome to Mexico Fiesta!

2. 300 - 900 A.D. The ''classical period'' for the ancient Mayan, Zapotec, and Teotihuacán people Temples are built at Chichén Itzá and Uxmal.

3. AD 1519 - 1521 Spanish forces led by Hernan Cortés arrive and conquer Mexico

4. AD 1810 - 1821 Mexico fights for independence from Spain and wins it in 1821.

5. 1836 Texas declares its independence from Mexico. Mexicans and Texans battle at the Alamo and San Jacinto.

6. 1848 The U.S. wins the Mexican-American War and gains Mexican territory. The land includes what are now Nevada and Utah, plus parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado.

7. 1862 Battle of Puebla. Cinco de Mayo honors defeat of French invaders.

8. 1910 The Mexican Revolution begins when citizens rise up against oppressive rulers. A new constitution is adopted in 1917.

9. 1968 Mexico City hosts the first Olympic Games ever held in Latin America

10. 1985 An earthquake of magnitude 8.1 strikes Mexico City. Nearly 10,000 people are killed

11. 1994 A violent rebellion breaks out in Chiapas. Unrest continues today

12. 2000 Vicente Fox is sworn in as the first President of Mexico elected who did not belong to the ruling party.

13. 2006 U.S. President George W. Bush signs a law that authorizes the building of a 700-mile fence between Mexico and the U.S. in order to help stop illegal immigration

14. 2007 More than 500,000 people are left homeless after heavy rains cause flooding in the southern state of Tabasco.

15. 2013 – Wind Energy The latest figures from national power company CFE show that wind power in Mexico sent a record 282GWh to the grid in November, up 233% in the past year. Mexico follows Brazil in the Latin American region with about 6.6 GW of installed capacity by 2025.

16. Mexico City -- Capital Population of Mexico City in 2014 is ~9 million Metropolitan area is over 18,000,000 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbrxqrxfuk

17. Information about Mexico • Population: 113,724,226 • Capital: Mexico City • Languages: Spanish, Mayan, Nahuatl, etc. • Currency: Mexican Peso (worth about 7 cents US) • Size: 758,449 sq. mi. -- almost three times the size of Texas • Climate: Varies from tropical to mountain to desert , depending on region • Products: • Food: corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes, beef, poultry, dairy products, • Other: wood products, chemicals, iron, petroleum, textiles • Industries: food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, tourism

18. Monterrey, Mexico’s 3rd-largest City • Monterrey is the budding capital of the state of Nuevo Leon, located in northeastern Mexico. • The modern city is fast becoming an important center for the country's business, industry and culture. • It is also known for its surrounding beauty. Locals call Monterrey the "City of the Mountains." • To the east of the city sits the scenic Cerro de la Silla, or Saddle Mountain (pictured). The mountain is a symbol for Monterrey. Named for its saddle-like shape, this natural monument provides a stunning backdrop

19. Oaxaca, located in southern Mexico • Oaxaca is located in southern Mexico. A charming town, famous for its preservation of the region's rich history and customs. • Historic home of the Mixtec and Zapotec peoples. Despite Spain's colonization of Mexico, the Mixtecs and Zapotecs were able to maintain their languages and cultures. • The native dialects can still be heard while strolling the city's main plaza (pictured here). Visitors find traditional folk art and colorful festivals celebrated in the square year-round.

20. Mexico City, the Capital • Capital and largest city in Mexico. • Heart of the country's government, business and culture. • Built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the ancient capital of the Aztec empire. Historic city - a mix of old and new • Skyscrapers tower over colonial churches and buildings. • Metropolitan Cathedral (pictured) is located on the town's main square. Construction began in 1573 and took almost 300 years to complete. As a result, the church is a blend of architectural styles. • Despite its beauty, Mexico City faces many problems, too. With more than 20 million people living in the region, the city is clogged with traffic and pollution.

21. Veracruz, city on the Gulf Coast • Veracruz is a vibrant port city situated on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. • Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes founded the seaport in 1519. The harbor served as an important base for the Spaniards' expeditions through Mexico. • Location on the coast made Veracruz a target for pirate raids and invasions. • In the evenings, people gather in the city's central square, the beautiful Plaza de Armas (pictured), to enjoy lively Latin beats and dancing

22. Cliff Diving, Acapulco •  Acapulco, is the site of the famous cliff divers performance. Since 1934 this has been one of Mexico’s feature attractions. • The divers leap from cliffs 136 feet above the crashing Pacific, landing in an 11 feet deep inlet. • How difficult is it? “Timing is the key. Three seconds it takes to arrive at the sea. Only five seconds of high waves tide - a two second span for any error.” • Divers say that Meditation and prayer are part of their routine. Fear precedes every dive, no matter how much practice or experience.