Mexico - interesting facts

Mexico is the largest Spanish speaking country. It is interesting for its history, culture, architectural and archeological monuments, left by Maya and Aztec tribes, beautiful colonial architecture and cuisine with spicy spices. We present interesting facts about Mexico.

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History

1. The official name of the State is the United States of Mexico. The country has 31 states and the capital of Mexico City.
2. The name of the country probably comes from the Aztecs' self-name - a meshika.
3. The first people in modern Mexico appeared in the twentieth millennium BC.
4. At different times the country was inhabited by several powerful tribes: the Olmecs, Aztecs and Mayans. The achievements of the latter include: the exact calendar, hieroglyphic writing, a high level of development of architecture and fine arts, a wide knowledge of mathematics and astronomy.
5. The Aztecs and some other tribes living in the United States of Mexico were cannibals: their festive menu did not do without ritual soup made on the basis of human meat. After the conquest of the empire by the Europeans, the Aztecs gave up cannibalism and the soup was cooked with pork.
6. Each year, the Aztecs sacrificed 1% of their population to the gods, which was about 250,000 people. This information is for those who say that the Spaniards were too unfair to conquer the country. Cannibalism and human sacrifice stopped after the European conquest of the country.
7. The conquistadors who had landed in the early 16th century on Aztec lands had managed to destroy almost 3,000 years of civilization in a few years. It was not only the rudeness and cruelty of the colonizers, but also the diseases they brought with them, to which the Aztecs had no immunity. By the middle of the 16th century, the population had fallen from 25 million to 1 million.
8. Mexico was named "New Spain" after Hernán Cortés defeated the Aztec tribes. This was the country's name until 1821. Mexico was under Spanish control for over 300 years. At the head of the struggle for independence of the state stood a priest Father Hidalgo, who is rightly called the father of modern Mexico.
9. In 1551, the Spanish king Charles V founded the National University of Mexico, which is still in operation today. It is the oldest institution of higher education in North America.
10. Arizona, Texas, Utah, Nevada and California were Mexican cities before the 1848 American-Spanish war.

Geography

1. Mexico City is the first largest city in America and the second largest in the world in terms of population.
2. The country ranks second in the world in terms of the length of its border with a particular country. The line of contact between Mexico and the United States is 3200 kilometers.
3. The United States of Mexico is located in the so-called Ring of Fire, an area of high seismic and volcanic activity.
4. Mexicans with this location have long come to terms with it: when they hear sirens howling, they pack their bags and go to shelters, the path to which is marked by special signs.
5. Mexico is an attractive destination for tourists: the country is washed by the Caribbean Sea, the water temperature of which never falls below +28 ° C.

Nature

• Mexico ranks second in the world in terms of ecosystems. The country has 17 reserves and 26 protected natural areas.
• On the island of Cosumel there is the longest reef in the world, the length of which along the coast reaches 700 kilometers.
• More than 100 species of cacti grow in the United States of Mexico.
• In the state of Oaxaca there is a tree Thule with the widest trunk in the world, which diameter reaches 11.6 meters and height - 35 meters.

Traditions

1. Almost all Mexicans have two names: girls at birth are named after their grandmother and mother, and boys are named after their grandfather and father.
2. According to local traditions, girls celebrate their 15th birthday in a big way: the birthday girl dresses up in a beautiful, magnificent dress and the church holds a Mass in her honor. As a gift, the girl receives the "last doll" as a symbol of farewell to her childhood.
3. New Year's holidays in the country begin on December 12. During the Christmas holidays, residents of the United States of Mexico create Naximenthos - images of biblical subjects.

Food and beverages

1. Mexicans prefer very spicy and sweet food. Cocoa, cocoa, avocado, tomatoes and beans are traditional ingredients of Mexican dishes.
2. In Mexican cuisine corn is widely used: it is cooked, grilled, and used to make soups, yoghurts, ice cream, flatbread and baked goods.
3. Mexicans use about 80 varieties of hot peppers in their dishes: they are sprinkled with potatoes, fruits and various sweets.
4. Mexicans consider pork skins to be a delicacy.
5. Mexican stoves are somewhat different from what we are used to: in the middle of the stove, between the burners there is a surface for making tortilla - the national corn tortilla.
6. Tortillas in Mexico are as popular as we have bread. They do not have their own distinct taste, but they are very tasty in combination with meat and vegetables.
7. The most popular dish in the country is tacos. These are tortillas with various fillings: minced meat, vegetables, chicken, sausages. Cut onions, parsley, beans and several spicy sauces are usually served to them.
8. In Mexico, insects, particularly grasshoppers, are often eaten. They are served with garlic and lime.