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Discover common Mexican dishes and their English meanings!

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9 year old Colombian boy auditions for La Voz Kids Colombia with a famous Mexican mariachi song

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Óscar sings 'La Mochila Azul' de Belmaro Bermúdez | La Voz Kids Colombia - Audiciones a ciegas - T1

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America's Got Talent: Ballet Folklorico Mestizo Mariachi Dance

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America's Got Talent: Ballet Folklorico Mestizo Mariachi Dance

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Ballet Folklorico Mestizo - Mariachi Dance With Knives - America's Got Talent 2013

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The Mexican Hat Dance (El Jarabe Tapatío) Latin dance. lo hicieron bellamente. Viva Mexico!

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COCO poco loco / Mexican Revolution Dance / Aliyah Saldana

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¡Viva México!

Written by ranchera singer Pedro Galindo Galarza, there are countless versions of this dramatic favorite. With its rousing lyrics, the song rises to its dramatic chorus: "Viva México, Viva América." One of the most popular versions of the song is performed by singer Aida Cuevas.

México Lindo y Querido

This traditional mariachi song was written by the composer Chucho Monge but is most closely associated with the iconic singer and film star Jorge Negrete. A powerful statement of loyalty for the land of Mexico, the song has been covered by almost every established mariachi singer. The most famous lines from the song state: "Lovely, beloved Mexico, If I die far from you, May they say that I'm asleep, And may they bring me back here."

Cielito Lindo

Many artists have performed this rousing song, but the most famous version is by Pedro Infante, a singer and actor who was an icon of Mexican cinema's golden age. The song is still a favorite for Mexicans, and people broke into spontaneous outbreaks of the anthem after the most recent earthquakes struck the country in September 2017.

Que Bonita es Mi Tierra

Another mariachi favorite, this patriotic anthem was originally written by Mexican composer Rubén Fuentes. The most famous version of the song is performed by Javier Solís, who was considered one of the "Three Mexican Roosters" of Mexican music and cinema, along with Jorge Negrete and Pedro Infante.

El Rey

This ranchera classic was written by iconic singer José Alfredo Jiménez and has been performed by a wide roster of singers. The song was written during a period of depression when Jiménez was breaking up with the younger singer Alicia Juarez. A defiant and macho anthem in which the singer proclaims himself a king, the song strikes a similar tone to Frank Sinatra's classic "My Way."

La Llorona

The name of the original song's author has been lost to history, but what is known for sure is that its lyrics refer to the famous Mexican story of "La Llorona." The legend concerns the crying ghost of a woman who has lost her children and now searches for them endlessly in the river. There are countless versions of this Mexican classic, but the favorite is performed by Chavela Vargas, whose deep, dramatic voice brought the song to life in the 2002 film Frida, the story of the flamboyant Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

La Sandunga

The traditional Mexican waltz tells the story of a Zapotec woman mourning the death of her mother. The song has become the unofficial anthem of the Tehuantepec region, an area that has fascinated anthropologists for decades because of its matriarchal culture and colorful traditional dress.

Por Qué Me Haces Llorar

In Mexico, the late superstar singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel is loved across the social spectrum. A unique talent and a gay icon in a macho, conservative society, Gabriel produced hit after hit until his death in 2016. His performances at Mexico City's Palacio de Bellas Artes are the stuff of legend and his anthem of broken-hearted love "Por Qué Me Haces Llorar," is an eternal favorite.

Guadalajara

Composed by poet and musician Pepe Guízar in 1937, this iconic song is an emotive tribute to Mexico's second-largest city. It has been performed by many singers, including non-Mexican artists such as Elvis Presley and Nat King Cole. One of the most famous renditions in Mexico is that of Guadalajara-born ranchera icon Vicente Fernández.

Como Quien Pierde Una Estrella

Alejandro Fernández, the son of Vicente, revitalized the ranchera genre with his rendition of "Como Quien Pierde Una Estrella." The song appeared on the singer's first album and instantly made him a star across Latin America.

Somos Más Americanos

This immigrant anthem by Los Tigres del Norte has taken on an added power with the rise to the US presidency of Donald Trump. A very catchy tune, the song reminds US citizens that Mexico once owned all of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, California and Nevada as well as large parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Kansas. "I'd like to remind the Gringo that I didn't cross the border, the border crossed me," is one memorable line.

Frijolero

Another catchy tune that addresses issues of racism and immigration, "Frijolero" by the rock group Molotov is a big favorite south of the border. An angry yet amusing song with lyrics in both English and Spanish, the song vilifies the 19th Century Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna. This bungling leader and general played a major role in Mexico losing more than half of its territory to the United States: "If not for Santa Anna just to let you know, that where your feet are planted would be Mexico!"

Aprovéchate

One of Mexico's most original bands, Café Tacvba have been a major name in Mexican music for almost three decades. With influences ranging from punk to rap to electronica, the group has developed a unique and versatile sound. Their 2013 hit "Aprovéchate" is still one of the band's coolest and most danceable numbers.

Vete Ya

Banda music is popular throughout Mexico and Valentin Elizalde was a major star of the genre until he was murdered by a drug trafficking gang in 2006. Nicknamed "The Golden Rooster," Elizalde performed some narcocorridos - songs that glorify violence and drug traffickers. Yet the star's most famous hit, "Vete Ya," was a much more innocent ballad about relationship drama.

Hablemos

Another banda singer who died an early death, Ariel Camacho was a talented performer whose songs maintained a slower, more melodic tempo than most regional Mexican music. The singer was killed in a car accident at the age of only 22, and his ballad "Hablemos," became a posthumous hit.

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15 Songs That Will Make All Locals Proud to Be Mexican

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Written by ranchera singer Pedro Galindo Galarza, there are countless versions of this dramatic favorite. With its rousing lyrics, the song rises to its dramatic chorus: "Viva México, Viva América." One of the most popular versions of the song is performed by singer Aida Cuevas.

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1) Go to site and read list of fruits and vegetables native to Mexico.
2) In a new tab, google pictures of any fruit/vegetable names that you do not recognize.

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Mexico is blessed with an abundance of fresh vegetables and tropical fruits, overflowing at nearly every street corner in the country.

Rather than shopping for produce at the grocery store, Mexicans pick out the freshest fruits and vegetables from bins upon bins at local street markets. It's common to see trucks unloading fresh produce at the markets on a daily basis.

It's easy to enjoy the impressive variety of crops native to Mexico, especially when they include stars like avocado and coffee. In fact, sixty percent of Mexico's agricultural exports are designated for the United States.

Here is our collection of favorite Mexican vegetables and fruits, some familiar and others worth getting to know.

Vegetables Native to Mexico

Fruits Native to Mexico

For more interesting articles for your taste buds, visit our blog archive or check out our menus for our Acton, Groton, Lunenburg, Lexington, and Woburn, MA locations.

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The Amazing Fruits and Vegetables Native to Mexico - Ixtapa Mexican Grill & Cantina

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Mexico is blessed with an abundance of fresh vegetables and tropical fruits, overflowing at nearly every street corner in the country. Rather than shopping for produce at the grocery store, Mexicans pick out the freshest fruits and vegetables from bins upon bins at local street markets.

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Plan your trip around Mexico with interactive travel maps from Rough Guides. Use Rough Guides maps to explore all the regions of Mexico.

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History
Early History
The Olmecs, Mexico's first known society, settled on the Gulf Coast near what is now Veracruz. Remembered for the giant head sculptures they carved from native stone, the Olmecs had two main population centers: San Lorenzo, which flourished from about 1200 to 900 B.C., and La Venta in Tabasco, which lasted until about 600 B.C.

Did you know? The three colors of Mexico's flag hold deep significance for the country and its citizens: green represents hope and victory, white stands for the purity of Mexican ideals and red brings to mind the blood shed by the nation's heroes.

By 300 B.C., villages based on agriculture and hunting had sprung up throughout the southern half of Mexico. Monte Albán, home to the Zapotec people, had an estimated 10,000 inhabitants. Between 100 B.C. and 700 A.D., Teotihuacán, the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas, was constructed near present-day Mexico City. The civilization that built it is also called Teotihuacán, and the influence of this culture can be seen throughout the Veracruz and Mayan regions. At its zenith, with a population estimated at 200,000, the civilization is thought to have controlled a large portion of southern Mexico. The empire of Teotihuacán was overthrown in the 7th century, but the spectacular city survives today.

The Mayans, widely considered to be pre-Columbian America's most brilliant civilization, thrived between approximately 250 and 900 A.D. They developed a calendar and writing system and built cities that functioned as hubs for the surrounding farming towns. The ceremonial center of Mayan cities featured plazas surrounded by tall temple pyramids and lower buildings called "palaces." Religion played a central role in Mayan life, and altars were carved with significant dates, histories and elaborate human and divine figures. The Mayan civilization collapsed in the early 10th century, likely due to overpopulation and the resultant damage to the ecological balance.

The Toltec civilization also influenced Mexico's cultural history. Historians have determined that the Toltec people appeared in central Mexico near the 10th century and built the city of Tula, home to an estimated 30,000-40,000 people. Some have speculated that the Toltecs performed human sacrifices to appease the gods. One of their kings, Tezcatlipoca, is said to have ordered mass sacrifices of captured enemy warriors. Because many Toltec architectural and ritualistic influences can be found at the Mayan site of Chichén Itzá in northern Yucatán, many researchers believe that Toltec exiles fled to Yucatán and created a new version of Tula there.

The Aztecs, the last of pre-Columbian Mexico's great native civilizations, rose to prominence in the central valley of Mexico around 1427 by partnering with the Toltecs and Mayans. This triple alliance conquered smaller cultures to the east and west until the Aztec empire spanned Mexico from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf Coast. At their height, the Aztecs ruled 5 million people via a tightly-structured system of self-supporting units called calpulli. Each unit had its own governing council, schools, army, temple and land but paid tribute to the supreme leader of the empire. Influenced by earlier Mexican civilizations, the Aztecs conducted extraordinary religious ceremonies that featured dances, processions and sacrifices.
Middle History
Spaniard Hernán Cortés arrived at Veracruz in 1519. Believing that Cortés might be the serpent god Quetzalcoatl, Aztec King Moctezuma II invited the conquistador to Tenochtitlán. This gesture proved disastrous because Cortés formed many allies on his way to the city. In May 1521, Cortés and his followers attacked and conquered the Aztecs. Cortés then colonized the area and named it Nueva España (New Spain). By 1574, Spain controlled a large portion of the Aztec empire and had enslaved most of the indigenous population. Worse, the diseases brought into the society by the Spaniards devastated the indigenous population of Nueva España, killing an estimated 24 million people between 1521 and 1605.

The Catholic Church's influence was felt in the region when missionaries began arriving in 1523. The missionaries built many monasteries and converted millions of people to Catholicism.

During this tumultuous time, colonists in Nueva España who had been born in Spain (peninsulares) clashed with Spaniards who had been born in Mexico (criollos). Many criollos had become rich and wanted equal political power, which now resided with the peninsulares.

Concerned about the Catholic Church's ever-growing power, King Carlos III of Spain expelled the Jesuits from Nueva España in the late 1700s. Napoleón Bonaparte 's occupation of Spain in 1808 compromised the country's political and economic structure, which in turn weakened Spain's grip on Nueva España.

Recent History
On September 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a parish priest from the town of Dolores, issued a call to rebellion. In response, rebel leader Vicente Guerrero and defected royalist general Agustín de Itúrbide collaborated to gain Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821. Together they drafted a Mexican constitution. However, in 1822, Itúrbide declared himself emperor of the country. A year later, Antonio López de Santa Anna overthrew Itúrbide and drew up a new constitution that established a federal Mexican republic composed of 19 states and four territories. From 1823 to 1836, Santa Anna served as president, squelching Texas' stand for independence in the battle of the Alamo during his last year in office. He was later defeated by American forces during the Mexican-American War and, by 1855, had gone into exile. Following Mexico's occupation by the French in the mid-1800s, Porfírio Díaz served as president from 1876 to 1909.

Despite ushering in the industrial age and greatly improving the country's infrastructure, Díaz was a dictator who bestowed political favors on the very wealthy citizenry, largely ignored the poor and ruled ruthlessly by force.

The Mexican people, tired of the unbalanced distribution of wealth and power, initiated the Mexican Revolution in 1910. The 10-year civil war resulted in at least 2 million casualties. Finally, in 1934, Lázaro Cárdenas became president and reestablished the ancient ejido system, which established communally shared tracts of farmland. The system benefited both the citizens and the economy. World War II further stimulated the nation's development through the development of roads, the building of factories and the establishment of irrigation systems.

Mexico Today

Mexico's population has greatly increased since World War II, but the distribution of wealth remains imbalanced. Due to negligible legislative assistance, the poor are generally unable to improve their socio-economic status. The state of Chiapas exemplifies the problems caused by financial imbalance. In 1994, the Zapatista National Liberation Army rose up to challenge discrimination against Chiapas' poor.

Although their rebellion was unsuccessful, the Zapatistas continue to fight against imbalanced land ownership and power distribution, with little success. Further complicating the already problematic social division is the ever-growing problem of drug trafficking, which has contributed to political and police corruption and helped widen the gap between the elite and the underprivileged.

In recent years, the building of foreign-owned factories and plants (maquiladoras) in some of Mexico's rural areas has helped draw the population away from Mexico City and redistribute some of the country's wealth. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) of 1994 increased Mexico's financial ties to the United States and Canada, but the Mexican economy remains fragile. Despite its problems, the Mexican economy, with its growing industrial base, abundant natural resources and variety of service industries, remains important to Latin America.

Today, tourism is a major contributor to the Mexican economy. People flock to Mexico from all over the world to sample the country's cultural diversity, bask in the lush tropical settings and take advantage of relatively low prices. U.S. tourists constitute the majority of visitors to the country. In the past, tourists traveled mainly to Mexico City and the surrounding colonial towns of the Mesa Central; unfortunately, the capital city's reputation has suffered due to social and environmental problems, notably high levels of air pollution and crime. Tourists still flock to the beaches of the world-famous resorts in Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mazatlán, Cancún and Puerto Escondido.

Facts & Figures

Full Name: United Mexican States

Capital: Mexico City (Distrito Federal)

Major Cities (population): Mexico City (8,720,916), Ecatepec de Morelos (1,688,258), Guadalajara (1,600,940), Puebla (1,485,941), Tijuana (1,410,700), Juárez (1,313,338), León (1,278,087), Zapopan (1,155,790), Nezahualcóyotl (1,140,528), Monterrey 1,133,814

Border Countries: Belize and Guatemala to the southeast; United States to the north

Size/Area: Total: 758,249 square miles (1,972,550 square kilometers) - Water: 2.5 percent

Population: 103,263,388 (2005 Census)

Independence: Declared on September 16, 1810 - Recognized by Spain on September 27, 1821

Monetary Unit: Pesos

Fun Facts

The three colors of Mexico's flag hold deep significance for the country and its citizens: green represents hope and victory, white stands for the purity of Mexican ideals and red brings to mind the blood shed by the nation's heroes.

The flag's dramatic emblem is based on the legend of how the Mexicas (or Aztecs) traveled from Aztlán to find the place where they could establish their empire. The god Huitzilopochtli advised them that a sign-an eagle devouring a serpent atop a Nopal cactus-would appear to them at the exact spot where they should begin construction. On a small island in the middle of a lake, the Mexicas came upon the scene exactly as Huitzilopochtli had described it. They immediately settled there and founded the city of Tenochtitlán, which is now Mexico City, the country's capital.

Mexico is the third-largest country in Latin America after Brazil and Argentina.

At the beginning of the 21st century, Mexico's population surpassed 100 million.

Mexico has the largest population of Spanish speakers in the world.

With almost 25 million residents, Mexico City is one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world.

Mexico has the world's second-highest number of Catholics after Brazil.

At nearly 2,000 miles, the border between Mexico and the United States is the second-longest in the world, after the border between the United States and Canada.

Mexicans comprise the largest group of legal immigrants in the United States.

Mexico is located in an area known as the Pacific "Ring of Fire." This region, one of Earth's most dynamic tectonic areas, is characterized by active volcanoes and frequent seismic activity. The highest point in the country, Citlaltépetl (also called Orizaba) and the active volcano Popocatépetl are among the many volcanic peaks in Mexico. The Great Ball Court at Chichén Itzá Mexico, which was used for ritualistic sports by the ancient Mayans, is the largest such court the world, measuring 166 by 68 meters (545 by 232 feet). The game, which involved elements similar to those of soccer and basketball, was played by two teams whose number varied according to region.

Tequila, a liquor for which Mexico is famous, is made from the native blue agave plant. Named after the city where it originated, Tequila is primarily manufactured near Jalisco, which is 65 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of Guadalajara.

Mexico is the world's leading producer of silver. An area called the Silver Belt-which encompasses Guanajuato and Zacatecas in the Mesa Central, Chihuahua in the Mesa del Norte and San Luis Potosi farther east-saw significant mining activity during the colonial period.

Mexico hosted the Summer Olympics in 1968 and the FIFA World Cup soccer championship in 1970 and 1986.

The Mexico City Arena-one of the largest bullfighting arenas in the world-seats 50,000. Another 35 arenas are located throughout the country.

Landmarks

Chichén Itzá
Chichén Itzá is an ancient Mayan city located on the Yucatán Peninsula. At its peak, around 600 A.D., it was the center of power in the region. Many of the original stone palaces, temples and markets remain throughout the city.

Teotihuacán
Teotihuacán, an ancient city possibly built by the Toltecs, is located in the state of Mexico. The city rose to power in 150 A.D. and was a strong influence on Mayan culture. It is also the location of the world's third largest pyramid, the Pirámide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun).

Paquimé featured a ceremonial area, temple structures, a ball court, pyramids and effigy mounds, including one that resembled a cross with perfect astronomical orientation. Turkeys and parrots were kept in special cages, possibly to supply feathers used for ceremonial and personal adornment.

Cuarenta Casas
Cuarenta Casas (Forty Houses) are cliff dwellings located in the state of Chihuahua and discovered by the Spaniards around the 16th century. Despite the name, only about a dozen adobe apartments are carved into the west cliff-side of a dramatic canyon at La Cueva de las Ventanas (Cave of the Windows). Cuarenta Casas is believed to have been an outlying settlement of Paquimé in the 13th century.

Buildings
Palacio Nacional Mexico City is home to the three-story Palacio Nacional (National Palace), built in 1563 on the site of the Aztec leader Moctezuma's palace. Originally, the palace housed all three branches of the government. Today, however, only the executive branch resides there. Palacio Nacional was destroyed by fire twice, once in 1659 and again in 1692. It was reconstructed in 1693 and remains largely unchanged today.

In the early to mid-1900s, Diego Rivera painted a collection of huge murals on the walls of the palace that illustrate the colorful history of Mexico. The palace is also home to Mexico's Liberty Bell.

Catedral Metropolitana
Located at the north side of Mexico City's town square, Catedral Metropolitana is the largest and oldest cathedral in all of Latin America. Construction on the building, which blends Baroque and Neoclassical styles, began in 1573 and took three centuries to complete. The cathedral features 14 chapels, five altars and numerous statues, paintings and altarpieces of Christ and the saints.

Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl
Located on the eastern rim of the Valle de Mexico, Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl are Mexico's second- and third-highest volcanic mountains. Craterless Iztaccíhuatl is dormant and a popular site for mountain climbing; however, Popocatépetl, whose Aztec name means Smoking Mountain, has erupted more than 20 times since the arrival of the Spanish. It continues to spout plumes of gas and ash and is carefully monitored by scientists.

Popular Locales
Mexico City
Mexico City, the second-largest metropolitan area in the world after Tokyo, is home to numerous attractions, including the Palacio Nacional and the Catedral Metropolitana.

AcapulcoWith its golden beaches, tropical jungles and renowned daredevil cliff-divers, Acapulco remains the best-known and most popular resort town in Mexico.

The Baja Peninsula
The Baja Peninsula along Mexico's west coast, is famous for its long coastline of fine white beaches, peaceful bays and imposing cliffs.

Culture

People
Citizens of Mexico highly value their nation, independence and community. Their culture is a composite of influences handed down by countless civilizations. From the early Mesoamerican civilizations to the diverse populations that live there today, Mexico's citizens have remained proud of their heritage and their country.

Many rural communities maintain strong allegiances to regions, often referred to as patrias chicas (small homelands). The large number of indigenous languages and customs in these regions, especially in the south, naturally accentuate cultural differences. However, the indigenismo (ancestral pride) movement of the 1930s played a major role in unifying the country and solidifying national pride among the various populations.

Family remains among the most important elements in Mexican society, both in private and public life. From infancy to old age, an individual's status and opportunities are strongly influenced by family ties. Many households, in both rural and urban areas, are inhabited by three or more generations due to the economic advantage (or necessity) of sharing one roof. Mexicans generally establish strong links to family members, including in-laws and friends of the family, who are generally thought of as aunts and uncles. The elderly, adults, teenagers and small children commonly attend parties and dances together. Weddings are generally lavish family-oriented events as are the traditional quinceañera celebrations given in honor of a young woman's 15th birthday.

Languages
The majority of the Mexican population speaks Spanish, the official national language. However, another 60 indigenous languages are still spoken in Mexico, including Maya in the Yucatán; Huastec in northern Veracruz; Nahuatl, Tarastec, Totonac, Otomí and Mazahua mainly in the Mesa Central region; Zapotec, Mixtec and Mazatec in Oaxaca; and Tzeltal and Tzotzil in Chiapas.

Religion
Catholicism has become the dominant Mexican religion since first being introduced during Spanish colonization in the 16th century. Currently, more than 75 percent of Mexico's population is Catholic, making Mexico the second-largest Catholic country in the world after Brazil. During the Mexican Revolution of 1917 and the administration of President Plutarco Elías Calles (1924 - 1928), there was a strong anti-clerical movement. This idea became less prevalent in the between 1940 and 1960. In fact that era saw a boom in the construction of new churches.

The Basílica of Guadalupe, built between the 16th and 18th centuries to honor Mexico's patron saint, is located in Mexico City. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people, many of them peasants, travel from near and far to worship at the shrine. Although this is probably the most important and beloved religious site in Mexico, thousands of other churches, convents, pilgrimage sites and shrines exist throughout the country.

Mexico's present population consists of Roman Catholics (76.5 percent), Protestants (6.3 percent), Pentecostals (1.4 percent), and Jehovah's Witnesses (1.1 percent). Another 14.7 percent are non-religious or are of other faiths.

On December 12, El Día de la Virgen De Guadalupe, Mexico honors its patron saint. During January, the city of Morelia celebrates the fiesta of the Immaculate Conception, and on the 17th of that month, pets and livestock are adorned with flowers and ribbons for the fiesta of San Antonio Abad.

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which occurs on November 1, has ancient Aztec and Mesoamerican roots. This day is set aside to remember and honor the lives of the deceased while celebrating the continuation of life. Halloween (October 31st) and All Souls' Day (November 2nd) are also locally important holidays. During this period, families celebrate the spirits of departed loved ones in various ways, including erecting ofrendas (small altars) in their houses, decorating tombs and eating skull-shaped candies (calaveras) and sweet breads. It is a time for celebrating ancestors-with whom many believe they can communicate during these events-and embracing death as natural and inevitable rather than as something to be feared.

On October 12 of each year, the Día de la Raza (Race Day) is celebrated in recognition of the mestizo (mixed) character of Mexico' s indigenous and European population. Widely celebrated patriotic events include Independence Day (September 16) and Cinco de Mayo (May 5), which commemorates the Mexican victory over French invaders in 1862.

Cuisine
Mexican cuisine varies greatly by region but depends heavily on an ancient trinity of staples: corn (maize), beans and squash.

Another staple, rice, is usually served alongside beans. Mexicans also tend to make liberal use of avocados (often in the form of guacamole), chili peppers, amaranth, tomatoes, papayas, potatoes, lentils, plantains and vanilla (a flavoring that is pre-Columbian in origin). Salt and hot peppers (often served in a red or green sauce) are the most common condiments; maize tortillas complement most main dishes.

Popular dishes vary by region and individual circumstances, but some of the more widely enjoyed foods are tortillas (flat bread wraps made from wheat or maize flour), enchiladas, cornmeal tamales (cooked within corn husks or banana leaves), burritos, soft-shell tacos, tortas (sandwiches of chicken, pork or cheese and vegetables enclosed in a hard roll), stuffed chili peppers and quesadillas (tortillas filled with soft cheese and meat). Other favorites are soups and spicy stews such as menudo (made from beef tripe and fresh vegetables) and pozole (stewed hominy and pork). Seafood dishes such as pulpo (octopus), chipachole (spicy crab soup) and ceviche (seafood marinated in lime or lemon juice) are popular in coastal areas. In Oaxaca and a few other states, fried and spiced chapulines (grasshoppers) are considered a delicacy. A favorite among the Nahuatl Indians is huitlacoche (corn fungus) served wrapped in fat-fried quesadillas.

Among the preferred desserts are sweet breads, chocolates and dulce de leche (caramelized milk), which is also called leche quemada or burned milk. On city sidewalks and streets, little bells announce the approach of paleteros, ambulatory vendors whose small insulated carts are filled with frozen paletas (popsicle-like treats made from creams or juices) and ice cream. Sugar-battered flautas (deep-fried filled corn tortillas) are popular with children of all ages.

Meals are often washed down with aguas frescas (watery sweet drinks, usually roselle flowers), horchata (a milky rice-based drink) and drinks flavored with watermelon or other fresh fruit. Also popular are licuados (fruit shakes or smoothies). During the Christmas holidays and on the Day of the Dead, one of the more popular drinks is atole (or atol), a hot combination of corn or rice meal, water, and spices.

Several well-known alcoholic beverages made in Mexico are derived from the maguey and agave plants. Maguey-also known as the Century Plant-is used to make pulque, an inexpensive drink. The plant was cultivated by many small farmers because it could thrive on infertile, rocky soil. Agave, in particular the blue agave, is used to make tequila, Mexico's national liquor. The drink takes its name from Tequila, Jalisco, where it originated. Another alcoholic drink made from agave is mescal, which is produced primarily in Oaxaca.

Culture: Arts & Music - Theater & Film - Literature

Arts & Music
In every major city in Mexico, universities and museums provide institutional support for art and cultural events. Among Mexico's internationally acclaimed museums are the Museum of Folk Art, the sprawling National Museum of Anthropology and its offshoot, the National Museum of History.

Art
Post-revolutionary artists Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, Rufino Tamayo and David Alfaro Siqueiros made significant contributions to Mexico' s artistic and cultural heritage. Though diverse in their styles and subject matter, each drew upon personal and social experiences to create their work, which informed the sensibilities of worldwide audiences and inspired generations of young artists.

Murals, an ancient art form, grace the walls of public and private buildings throughout Mexico. Generations of muralists-influenced by artistic legacies traceable to the Aztecs, Mayans and other pre-Hispanic civilizations-have added their stories to those of their ancestors, captivating passersby with evocative figures and landscapes captured in rich colors and bold strokes.

Diego Rivera, whose mural Man at the Crossroads graces the lobby of New York's 30 Rockefeller Plaza, is the most renowned of Mexico's muralists. His works are also displayed at the Mexican National Palace and the Palace of Fine Arts.

Music
Music, like food, is a mainstay of Mexican social life. The styles are diverse and include both traditional and modern genres. Perhaps the best-known Mexican genre is the ranchero. Popularized after the revolution, the ranchera came to symbolize the new national consciousness and focuses largely on love, patriotism and nature. Because of its familiar themes and rhythms, this song style has become popular among mariachi musicians. Highly recognizable in their customary silver-studded charro (cowboy) outfits and wide-brimmed hats, mariachi groups have enjoyed notable commercial success and are often featured at festivals, banquets and wedding.

Another popular genre is norteño (northern), which relies on the accordion and 12-string bass guitar for its characteristic stylizations. More recent musical innovations include banda, which is similar to norteño music, and cumbia, which is heavily influenced by music from the Caribbean islands. Becoming increasingly popular among Mexican youths are modern genres such as pop, hip-hop and rock-musical forms that gained popularity during the last century in the United States.

Theater & Film
Mexico has a strong theatrical tradition kept alive by many professional, academic and indigenous groups. Although the theater' s popularity diminished with the rise of television and film, groups still perform all over the country in large and small venues. In Mexico City, theater lovers can visit El Palacio de las Bellas Artes, Mexico City's famous opera house, to see the Ballet Folklorico, a famous dance performance that blends various types of native music and dance.

Some regions feature plays that recount events from local history. In other cases, plays drawn from universal themes or celebrate such common concerns of daily life as love, marriage, joy, betrayal and hope.

During Semana Santa (the holy week from Easter until Palm Sunday), many communities enact a full passion play that depicts the events surrounding the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many of these performances are impressively staged and draw large crowds.

Several Mexican actors and filmmakers have been internationally recognized, including directors Alejandro González Iñárritu (Amores Perros, 2000; Babel, 2006), Alfonso Cuarón (Y Tu Mamá También, 2001) and Guillermo del Toro (El Laberinto Del Fauno/Pan's Labyrinth, 2006). Spanish director Luis Buñuel and French Surrealist André Breton both spent many years in Mexico, and their influences are seen in the works of current Mexican directors. Based on her 2002 theatrical portrayal of the internationally recognized Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Salma Hayek became the first Mexican actress to be nominated for an Academy Award.

Literature
Mexican writers have gained reputations by dealing with questions of universal significance. One of the best known is Samuel Ramos, whose philosophical speculations on humanity and culture in Mexico influenced post-1945 writers in several genres. Many consider Mexico's Octavio Paz to be the foremost poet of Latin America. The novels of Carlos Fuentes are honored throughout the world, and Juan José Arreola's fantasies are widely admired.

Culture: Sports

Fùtbol (Soccer)
Soccer is the favorite sport of the vast majority of the population. Unlike other Mexican sports, soccer can emotionally divide the country, especially when Mexican rivals meet each other. People from all over the country attend matches, which are usually held on Sundays. Winning the coveted Copa Libertadores, the Latin American equivalent of the European Cup, is an honor that motivates both players and fans alike.

In 1970, Mexico's Azteca Stadium was host to the FIFA World Cup finals. This event was one of the most memorable in sports history as Pele and his Brazilian team won for the third time, making them the first country ever to win the tournament more than twice. Mexico hosted the event again in 1986.

Well-known soccer players from Mexico include Hugo Sanchez, Cuahtemoc Blanco, Rafael Marques, Alberto Medina, Omar Bravo, Enrique Borja, Antonio Carvajal, Manolo Negrete, Jorge Gutierrez, Luis Flores, Salvador Reyes, Horacio Casarin, Alberto García Aspe, Jorge Campos and Luís Garcia.

Bullfighting
Also known as fiesta brava, bullfighting has been popular in Mexico for the last 400 years. Like Spanish bullfighters, Mexican matadores perform specific moves, occasionally using a piece of red cloth to attract a bull in a graceful manner. Bullfights are often preceded by festivities such as rodeos, pig chases and dances.

Lucha Libre
Mexican style professional wrestling, called Lucha Libre (free fight) embraces all styles of wrestling: submission, high flying comedy and brawling. The sport achieves an extraordinary level of artistic expression through costuming and bravado performance. El Santo, possibly the most famous Lucha Libre wrestler, often starred in films, wore his silver mask throughout his life and was eventually buried in it. Other famous Luchadores include The Blue Demon, Mil Máscaras, and Rey Mysterio, who eventually moved on to American wrestling where he became even better known.

The States

Mexico is made up of 31 states and one federal district.

PHOTO GALLERIES

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Early History The Olmecs, Mexico's first known society, settled on the Gulf Coast near what is now Veracruz. Remembered for the giant head sculptures they carved from native stone, the Olmecs had two main population centers: San Lorenzo, which flourished from about 1200 to 900 B.C., and La Venta in Tabasco, which lasted until about 600 B.C.

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Interesting Mexico Facts for Kids

Here are some interesting Mexico Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Population: 129 million people live in Mexico (2022)

Capital: Mexico City with 22 million inhabitants is the country's biggest city.

Name: United Mexican States (in Spanish: Estados Unidos Mexicanos)

Government: Democracy, Republic

Language: Spanish

Literacy: More than 95% of the population over the age of 15 years can read and write

Religion: Christians, mainly Roman Catholics (78%)

Currency: 1 peso = 100 centavos

Flag colors: green, white and red

National Symbols: golden eagle and national colours green, white and red

History: Mexico was conquered and colonised by the Spanish from the 16th century. The president of Mexico is Andrés Manuel López Obrador (since 2018, the next elections will be held in July 2024)

Mexico Facts | National Symbols

The flag is shows three bands in green, white and red. The emblem on the white ground shows an eagle standing on a cactus with a snake in the beak.

What do the colours in the flag stand for? The colours of the Mexican flag stand for independence, unity and religion. The legend describes, that the Aztec settled and built their capital city which they named Tenochtitlan, which is today Mexico City, on the place where they saw and eagle sitting on a cactus, eating a snake.
More about the meaning of colours in flags
Mexico Map and Geography

Mexico is located on the North American continent and shares borders with the USA in the North and Belize and Guatemala in the South.

The border between Mexico and the USA is the second longest border in the world and is about 3,155 km/ 2,000 miles long.

Below you can see a map of Mexico, click on the map to zoom in to see more cities and detailed information.

Mexico has mountains in the eastern and northern parts of the country, rainforests in the southern and eastern parts and deserts in the West.

Most of the bigger cities are located in the southern parts of the country. There are low coastal plains, high-rugged mountains and a high tableau in the centre of the country.

The climate varies from tropical climate to desert climate.

Mexico has four time zones!

Mexico is situated on the 'Ring of Fire', the world's most prominent volcano and earthquake region. However, the volcanos on Mexico's Baja California, a popular tourist destination, are mostly dormant.

The peninsula to the west of mainland Mexico is called Baja California. Over 120 species of cactus are growing there!

Mexico Facts | Geo Superlatives

Mexico has the world's largest Spanish speaking population and Mexico is also the second most populous country in North America - after the USA.

The highest peak in Mexico is a volcano. It is called 'Pico de Orizaba' or 'Volcan Citlaltepetl' and is 5,636 m/ 18,491 ft high. This is also the third largest volcano in Northern America.

The longest river in Mexico is the Río Bravo del Norte (also referred to as Rio Grande). This river begins in the southwestern USA and flows into Mexico.

The largest lake in Mexico is Lake Chapala near Guadalajara.

The "cardon cactus" is the world's biggest cactus! The Mexican giant cactus measures up to 21 metres/ 70 feet in height and can be seen in the deserts of Baja California. These cacti can live up to 300 years.

Landmarks and Attractions in Mexico

Mexico is one of the world's top travel destinations and for US travellers, Mexico is the top destination. And Mexico houses 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites! So much to explore in this North American country.

Mexicans love children, so families are always welcome everywhere! There are some great attractions for kids, among the most popular with families are:

Chichen Itza: built by the Maya people is a World Heritage Site and visited by more than one million people every year.

Acapulco: The bay on the Pacific Ocean is home to Mexico's most popular beach city with golden sandy beaches, lots of holiday resorts and known by families for it's magnificent water sports park. Mexico's busiest port is quite a sight too.

Oaxaca: Visit the archaeological site of the Monte Alban ruins, shop at the city's colourful market or marvel at the famous rock formations and bubbling waters at Hierve el Agua which means 'bubbling of the water'.

Mérida: The city's Mayan cultural heritage is displayed in the fascinating Mayan World Museum (Gran Museum del Mundo Maya), the Dzibilchaltún ruins and archeological site, as well as a rich colonial heritage as seen on the city's Plaza Grande and the main boulevard Paseo de Montejo or the Catedral de Merida.

Agave landscape at the foothills of the Tequila volcano: The blue agave plant is used to produce the famous tequila spirit. Agave plantations and tequila distilleries are dotted all over the region.

Mexico City: the capital city is built on the site of the former Aztec capital Tenochtitlan. Make sure to also visit the ruins of the ancient Aztec pyramids at nearby Teotihuacan.

Teotihuacan: The ancient city ruins of Aztec monuments such as the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl are stunning. This was once the most most powerful centre in the Americas - only 50 km/ 31 miles north east of the capital Mexico City

Mexico Facts
Mexican People and Languages

Most people in Mexico speak Spanish. Mexico is the country with the most Spanish speakers in the world.

More people speak Spanish here than in Spain, because many more people live in Mexico and the country is also more than three times bigger.

Most Mexicans (80%) are Christians as Roman Catholicism was introduced by the Spanish colonists. La Virgen de Guadalupe (Virgin of Guadalupe) is considered the Patron saint of Mexico.

Mexicans are known as very friendly and welcoming foreigners, they are really fond of kids. Mariachi are the popular musicians who play folk music. They mainly use string instruments, but also trumpets are sometimes played. The groups are often invited to play at birthday parties, weddings and other family celebrations.

On 1 and 2 November the Mexicans celebrate the Dia del los Muertos, a special festival to remember the deceased members of the family. The family gathers around the homes and in the graveyards and there are many decorations to remember the family members that have passed on.

Famous Mexican are among many others: the actress Selma Hayek, the guitarist Carlos Santana and the soccer players Javier Hernandez and Guillermo Ochoa.

Mexico Facts | Mexico Animals

Mexico is one of the most bio-diverse countries on earth. The country has the most reptile species in the world housing over 700 reptile species and also has the second most (over 430) mammal species in the world.

In Mexico, there are jaguars, pumas and huge iguanas. Whales, manta rays and manatees are common in the oceans and can sometimes by spotted of the Yucatan coast. In the jungles of southern Mexico, one can encounter various types of lizards, monkeys and colourful birds, such as parrots.

More Mexico Facts:
Mexico Economy

Mexico's main trading partners are the USA, which is the most important parter for exports and China and Japan who also sell many products to the Mexicans and thus are Mexico's biggest import partners.

The main exports from Mexico are corn (maize), oil, fruits and vegetables, silver, coffee, cotton.

Oranges are the most popular and most consumed fruit in Mexico (2021)

Mexico's largest cities are:

Mexico City: more than 22 million inhabitants

Guadalajara: about 4 million inhabitants

Monterrey: about 4 million inhabitants

Tijuana: about 2 million inhabitants

Did you know that Mexico is the second largest city in the western hemisphere? Only Sao Paolo in Brazil is bigger!

Mexican Food

Chocolate, chilies and corn come originally from Mexico.

The main staple food is corn and rice, fruits and vegetables, chicken, pork, beef, lamb and along the coastal regions also seafood. Chilli peppers are usually among the main ingredients in many Mexican dishes.

One dish many of you will think of is ' chilli con carne', a dish with spicy mince meat and kidney beans but this is not really a Mexican dish, but only a Mexican-style dish!

Instead enchiladas, tortillas and tacos are typical Mexican dishes and very popular in Mexico!

Other typical Mexican food:

guacamole: avocado dip made with mashed avocados, salt and lime or lemon juice, often also with chilli peppers

tortilla: Mexican corn or wheat flour flatbread is eaten with almost every dish. A tortilla is usually filled with meat, cheese, potato or vegetables

tostada: crunchy tortilla that has been fried in oil

enchilada: stuffed tortilla that has been baked in chilli sauce

nachos: tortilla chips often served hot with melted cheese or spicy mince sauce, usually eaten as a snack

tamales: stuffed and steamed dough pockets wrapped in banana leaf or corn husks

pan de muerto: sweet bread roll baked for the 'Day of the Dead' which is celebrated on 1 and 2 of November

chile verde: stew cooked with lots of spicy green chilli

elote: the Mexican version of 'corn on a cob', a popular street food

Did you know that...?

Hot chocolate was considered the sacred drink by the Aztecs!

Mexico Facts | Resources

Central Intelligence Agency. "Mexico." WorldFactBook. Last updated 24 October 2022. Last accessed 29 October 2022

The Associated Press. "Mexico Population Rises to 126M." . 25 January 2021. Last accessed 29 October 2022

Embassy of Mexico in the UK. "Symbols of Mexico." . Last accessed 29 October 2022

FactZoo: "Mexican animals in pictures ." Last accessed 29 October 2022

Popular Pages

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Mexico Facts for Kids | Mexico Attractions | Food | People | Geography

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Our Mexico Facts for Kids will provide information about the geography, the people and the culture of the North American country.

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50 Amazing Facts About Mexico | NationFacts.net

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Mexico is located in North America, directly south of the United States. Its official name is the United Mexican States. Mexico not only borders the United States, but it also shares borders on the east by Guatemala, Belize and the Gulf of Mexico.

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Mariachi music is the sound of Mexico. It is the musical accompaniment to the important moments in life. But what exactly is mariachi? A Mariachi band is a Mexican musical group consisting of four or more musicians that wear charro suits. Mariachi is said to have originated in the state of Jalisco, in the city of Cocula, near Guadalajara, as well as surrounding states of western Mexico. Mariachi is now popular throughout Mexico and the Southwest United States and is considered representative of Mexican music and culture.

Mariachi was recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011. The listing cites that: "Mariachi music transmits values of respect for the natural heritage of the regions of Mexico and local history in the Spanish language and the different Indian languages of Western Mexico."

There are different theories as to the provenance of the word mariachi. Some say it comes from the French word mariage because it was the type of music played at weddings, other refute this theory (apparently the word was in use in Mexico before the French intervention in Mexico in the 1860s). Others claim that it comes from the native language Coca. In this language, a term similar to the word mariachi is used to refer to the type of wood that is used to make the platform on which musicians would stand to perform.

The traditional mariachi band was made up of at least two violins, a guitar, a guitarrón (large bass guitar) and a vihuela (similar to a guitar but with a rounded back). Nowadays mariachi bands also usually include trumpets, and sometimes a harp. One or more of the musicians also sing.

Since the early 1900s the charro suit, or traje de charro, has been worn by mariachis. A charro is a Mexican cowboy from the state of Jalisco. The charro suit that mariachis wear consists of a waist-length jacket, bow tie, fitted pants, short boots, and a wide-brimmed sombrero. The suits are elaborately decorated with silver or gold buttons and embroidered designs. According to legend, musicians began to wear this costume during the Porfiriato. Prior to that, they wore the plain clothing associated with campesinos or laborors, but president Porfirio Diaz wanted the musicians playing at an important event to wear something special, so they borrowed the costumes of a group of Mexican cowboys, thus starting the custom of mariachi bands dressing in the clothing typical of the charros.

You can hear mariachi music at almost any destination in Mexico, but two places that are famous for mariachis are the Plaza de los Mariachis in Guadalajara and Plaza Garibaldi in Mexico City. In these plazas, you will find itinerant mariachis that you can hire to play a few songs.

Hiring a mariachi band to perform a song or two for you is a great way to spend an evening. If you are in a plaza or a restaurant and there is a mariachi band performing, you can request a specific song. Here are a few song titles you might consider:

Las Mañanitas (if someone in your party is celebrating a birthday or other important event such as an anniversary)

Mexico Lindo y Querido

Cielito Lindo

El Jarabe Tapatío

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Mariachi music is the sound of Mexico. It is the musical accompaniment to the important moments in life. But what exactly is mariachi? A Mariachi band is a Mexican musical group consisting of four or more musicians that wear charro suits.