Mexico+(Brian+D.)

Official Name: United Mexican States Capital City: La Ciudad de Mexico Population: 113,724,226 Birthrate: 19.13 births per 1000 population Deathrate: 4.86 deaths per 1000 population Anual Population Growth: 1.102% Religion: Roman Catholic is dominant (76.5%) Official Language: Spanish Major exports/industries: Silver, Oil and Oil products, Manufactured Goods, and Coffee Literacy: 86.1% Monetary Unit: Peso
 * General Infromation**

There were several prominant civilizations native to mexico including the Olmecs, Toltecs, Mayans, and later the Aztec. The Aztecs were an incredibly wealthy empire that reigned for two hundred years; however, Hernando Cortés combined forces with several other indiginous populations to bring an end to the Aztecs in 1521. He claimed the territory in the name of Spain, and Mexico was considered part of New Spain for the next 300 years. Spain recognized Mexico as an easy way to expand their wealth, so that they could afford to live luxurious lives and fight constant wars with other European countries. The crown was given one fith of every bullion sent back to Spain. The natives of Nueva España, what the Spanish called Mexico, experienced sever casualties due to foriegn diseases. Catholic monks began arriving in Mexico in 1523. By 1560, they had converted millions of indigenous people and built over 100 monestaries.
 * Geography**
 * Land Area: 1,972,550 square kilometers (6,000 of them are islands)
 * Mountain Ranges: Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental are two prominant ranges found in the north
 * Rivers: 150 rivers, but the Usumacinta, Grijalva, Papaloapán, Coatzacoalcos, and Pánuco make up 52% of water
 * Climate: Temperate climate north of 24th parallel, tropical south of 24th parallel
 * Rain fall: 300-600 millimeters in the north, 2,000 millimeters in the south
 * Size: It is three times the size of Texas and approximately one fifth of the size of the United States of America
 * Land forms: the center is a giant plateau and the east and west are mountainous. There are waterfront lowlands.
 * Economic impact: Mexico is well known for fishing and tourism because of all of the beaches and surrounding bodies of water
 * Brief History**

On September 16, 1810, the Mexican collonists, under the command of Padre Miguel Hidalgo, began their revolt angainst their Spanish rulers. After 11 years of heated combat, Agusti­n de Iturbide negotiated the terms of Mexico's independence with a Spanish viceroy. The next several decades were filled with political instability. It was quite common for a person to pursue revolution to end tyranny but end up as much of a tyrant as the person before them. One of the most prominant people of the time was Santa Anna. He served eleven terms as president of Mexico, but he is most commonly known for his role as a general in the Mexican-American war. Mexico eventually sold large chunks of land to the United States. These chunks of land are the states that make up what is now the west coast.

media type="youtube" key="D3m9oN1q3iY?rel=0" height="315" width="420" align="right"Mexico is a Federal Republic that fought for its indipendence from Spain on September 16, 1810. It has a Legislative (bicameral), Executive, and Judicial branch, much like the United States. Mexico has also implemented a multi-party system. The mexican president has a six year term limit and no vice president, but the president is not allowed to run for a second term. Currently, the Mexican president is Felipe Calderan. He was elected in 2006 and has made great strides to put an end to the drug cartels found throughout the country. In the 2006 election, Felipe Calderan won with less than 1% difference in the votes. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Felipe's opponent, accused him of voting fraud,but the Federal Electoral Trebunal upheld the results.
 * Government/Current Political Situation**

Food: There is great variation between the food enjoyed across Mexico. Some of the traditional food that is enjoyed across the entire country includes chocolate, squash, tomatoes, corn, and chili peppers. Contrary to popular belief, many of the foods commonly associated with Mexicans is only found in certain areas of the country. An example of this is this is the burrito because it is commonly enjoyed in the northern states but is not found in the south.
 * Culture**

Clothing: In the major Mexican cities, the clothing worn is the same as we wear here in the United States, thanks to global trade interconnection; however, as you move farther into the country side, the colors of the clothing is often earthlike colors, but you may find vivid greens and bright yellows too. Some of the more traditional clothing is made using wool, cotton, agave, and even bark. In the past, all of the clothing was dyed using plants found in Mexico, but they switched to aniline dyes soon after the Spanish introduced these dyes. The clothing varies greatly between the different genders. Women typically wear a huipil, a quechqu�mitl, and a skirt. The men normally wear European shirts and pants, so the only native pieces of clothing they wear are Mexican boots and a Sarape, a type of cape.

Music: The music in Mexico has changed many times throughout the course of history, but the new form of music adds to the previous one instead of replacing it. This is why some of the modern music still has ties leading back to the Aztec. One of the most popular forms of music is Mariachi. While the name was used for a specific type of dancing, it has become its own genre of music. Mariachi originated in Guadalajara and expanded rapidly because it was about subjects everyone could relate to. Mariachi music has also inspired several new dances including baile del sombrero, the Mexican had dance. This dance is an embodyment of many Mexican traditions and is the most widely known dance to people outside of Mexico.

Art: Pottery has been an important part of Mexican culture for many years. Infact, there have been pots discovered in Mexico that date all the way back in 1800 BC. This pottery often has religious symbols and images that have deep cultural significance in addition to functionality. Several prominent chefs in Mexico refuse to cook a traditional Mexican meal without using Mexican pottery. Today, millions of Mexicans continue the traditions of their ancestors by making their own pottery.

Dias des los Muertos, Oaxaca: Oaxaca is well known for having great Dia de Los Muertos celebrations. Dia de Los Muertos is a holiday where families prepare tombs for returning spirits. They cover the tombs and home alters with flowers and candles. They also leave offerings for the spirits. It is a facinating experience worth seeing.
 * Tourism**

Teotihuacan: The Teotihuacan empire developed around 200 BC and produced one of the most amazing cities known to Latin America. Soon after their decline and fall, the Aztecs utilized these temples and they have been a place for pilgrimages ever since. Come and see this architectural marvel for yourself. It is only 31 miles away from Mexico City so it may be reached by bus or taxi.

Cozumel: Discovered by Jacques Cousteau in 1959, Cozumel was named one of the best diving locations in the world. There are beautiful beaches and water as far as the eye can see. It has many colorful reefs and exotic fish. If you enjoy snorkling and scuba diving, this is the place for you.

The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) calculated the number of hours it would take for a person on minimum wage to make enough money to purchase a basket of basic comodities, and the answer they aquired was 11.38 hours. This number is quite concerning since sixty percent of the population make $5-$15 dolars every day. Small businesses are strugling to sell their goods because people don't have enough money to spend, especially since the cost have gone much higher. Even the larger corporations have had to raise their prices exponentially since the Calderon administration took office in 2006. Inflation rates have risen too fast for the minimum wage to keep up. []
 * Current Events**

Mexico is preparing for the elections coming up in July. MElections in Mexico are monitored and controlled by a government agency known as the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE). The IFE is responsible for ensuring that the election goes by without any problems. This is a difficult task, especially since Guerrero is one of the most dangerous states due to drug-related violence. The IFE announced that the elections will go on as usual, but extra police officers and even marines are to be stationed in guerrero until the election is complete. This year is a special case because the election day for governors and the presidential election have overlapped. This means that the IFE will have to work very closely with the Guerrero State Electoral Institute. Also, Felipe Calderan won't be running in this election due to Mexico's single term limit. []

[] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] Prentice Hall Realidads 1 Classroom Texbook by: Peggy Boyles, Myriam Met, Richard Sayers, and Carol Wargin. Page 94
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