Mexico is one in all the highest places to go to due to its culture, food, and history. Most people go to Mexico to put on an all-inclusive resort, however it’s a rustic filled with history and culture, beautiful landscapes, and infinite beaches. There is a reason we now have visited so again and again! So, let’s learn some fun facts about Mexico to know the country higher. Read on to learn Mexican facts you never knew!
Interesting Mexico Facts
Mexico is positioned within the southern a part of North America; it shares its border with the US to the north and Guatemala and Belize to the south. To the west, Mexico is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, which has a lovely coastline along the western fringe of the country.
To the east, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea give Mexico a protracted coastline along the eastern side. With its varied geography, Mexico is a bridge between North America and Central America and has a combination of cultures and landscapes.
1. Its Name Is Not What You Think
One of the primary fun facts about Mexico is that its name will not be really Mexico. Mexico’s official name is the United Mexican States aka Estados Unidos Mexicanos. This country is split into states, similar to the U.S.
Mexico has 31 states and a Federal District. Every Mexican state has its own police, regulations, and laws.
The Federal District, Distrito Federal, was once the capital of Mexico. Most people imagine that the capital was at all times Mexico City, but this wasn’t until 2016.
It gets tricky to recollect because Mexico City’s metropolitan area is inside the Federal District. Only those living within the Federal District are considered capital dwellers.
2. Mexico Is More Than a Beach Destination
Travelers are likely to make their way out to Mexico for a vacation on the beach. Yet, the country is way more than a beach destination.
Mexico has a wealthy history as they’ve 34 UNESCO world heritage sites inside their borders. Some of the preferred historic centers include Mexico City, Puebla, and Guanajuato. Additionally, Mexican cuisine is recognized as an ‘Immaterial World Cultural Heritage’ by UNESCO, emphasizing its cultural significance.
It can also be home to greater than a handful of ancient ruins, essentially the most famous being Chichen Itza and the agave fields of Tequila.
The country is in the course of the circum-Pacific Belt, more commonly referred to as the “Ring of Fire,” a spot known for its earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
3. Home to the World’s Smallest Volcano
Outside of Puebla, you’ll find the smallest volcano on this planet, Cuexcomate Volcano. The volcano is just 13 meters 43 feet tall, and its diameter at the bottom is about 23 meters (75 feet). It looks like a tiny hill. Cuexcomate is sometimes called a “volcano” on account of its distinctive appearance, however it is definitely a dormant geyser or a volcanic vent.
Cuexcomate is an element of local folklore and legends in Puebla. According to at least one legend, it was formed when the devil himself tried to destroy town with a big stone but was thwarted by the intervention of the Virgin Mary, who turned the stone right into a tiny volcano.
Cuexcomate has a conical shape that resembles a miniature volcano, complete with a crater at the highest. It is roofed in grass and vegetation, giving it a really picturesque appearance.
4. World’s Largest Pyramid is in Mexico
Mexico has the smallest volcano and the most important pyramids. The biggest monument on this planet was in-built Mexico. The world’s biggest pyramid is the Great Pyramid of Cholula (Pirámide Tepanapa) in Cholula, Puebla. It’s often mistaken for a hill due to vegetation and is usually called the “Great Pyramid of Cholula” or “Tlachihualtepetl,” which suggests “artificial mountain” in Nahuatl.
The Great Pyramid of Cholula is the most important pyramid in volume on this planet, even greater than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. It covers 45 acres and is 55 meters (180 feet) high. The pyramid was in-built the third century BCE by the Olmec-Xicalanca civilization and was expanded and modified by the Maya and Aztecs. It took centuries to complete the pyramid.
5. It Has Animals Big and Small
The jaguar is the largest wildcat in North America and will be found near the Mayan ruins or roaming the Mexican jungles.
Mexico can also be home to the smallest dog breed known to man, the Chihuahua. This dog breed originated within the state of Chihuahua, positioned in northern Mexico, hence the name of the breed.
6. U.S. Citizens Make Up the Largest Immigration Group in Mexico
In Mexico, the biggest foreign-born population is definitely United States residents. In fact, more Americans are immigrating to Mexico than vice versa.
Plenty of Americans find the food surprising after they move or visit Mexico. Mexican food within the United States is taken into account Tex-Mex, while authentic Mexican food is different.
In Mexico, people don’t eat Chipotle-style burritos or burritos crammed with rice. Burritos aren’t that popular in Mexico unless you’re within the northern region.
Another difference between Mexican food present in the United States and food present in Mexico is that the authentic version isn’t very spicy. Instead, it tastes sour due to use of limes.
7. We Can Thank Mexico For Chocolate
Chocolate got here from Mexico and Mesoamerica. The ancient Mesoamericans, the Aztecs, and Mayans were the primary to cultivate and use cacao (the source of chocolate) for food and ceremonial purposes. Mexico brought chocolate to the Western world and Europe and made it a giant cultural and culinary deal.
Cacao beans were highly valued by these cultures and were used as currency and trade. They were also used to make a bitter, foamy drink that was often flavored with spices and chili peppers.
So, while chocolate as a cacao drink was developed in Mesoamerica, it was the Europeans who sweetened it and created the bars, truffles, and all of the treats we now have today.
8. We Can also Thank them for Avocados and the tasty Tomato
Avocados: Avocados (Persea americana) are from south-central Mexico. They’ve been around for 1000’s of years. The Aztecs and other indigenous peoples of Mexico were the primary to grow avocados. The word “avocado” comes from the Aztec Nahuatl word “ahuacatl”. Avocados are actually a well-liked fruit worldwide, known for his or her creamy texture and plenty of health advantages.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are from Mexico too. The indigenous peoples of Mexico, including the Aztecs, grew and ate tomatoes before they were introduced to the remaining of the world. Tomatoes were delivered to Europe by Spanish explorers within the early sixteenth century and are actually a staple in lots of cuisines. The tomato plant is an element of the nightshade family and produces many varieties of tomatoes, from cherry tomatoes to beefsteak.
Both are staples world wide and are utilized in many dishes, equivalent to guac and salsa.
9. Mexico City Is Sinking
Mexico City is literally sinking annually. In North America, Mexico City is the oldest city and has the very best elevation. It’s also built over the ruins of Tenochtitlán, a city on a lake. Read more: 10 Best Things to Do in Mexico City for an Epic Trip
Tenochtitlàn was an Aztec city during which the Aztecs made systems of canals and dikes to forestall floods. When the Spanish got here along, they drained the lakebed as a substitute of containing the flood control work.
The Mexican population in Mexico City grows annually, requiring more water to be pumped out. As a result, town is sinking about 6 to eight inches every yr.
10. Cinco de Mayo Is Not Celebrated in Mexico
Cinco de Mayo is usually mistaken for Mexican Independence Day, however the actual date of Mexican independence is September sixteenth. In 1821, on September twenty seventh, Mexico declared independence. However, over a decade before, in 1810, on September sixteenth, the independence war began. Because of this, Mexico celebrates its Independence Day on September sixteenth.
Cinco de Mayo is common within the United States as a day for people to party and have a good time. Mexican immigrants within the United States might have fun this present day.
Most are unaware that Cinco de Mayo is a day to commemorate the Battle of Puebla that happened in 1862. The people of Puebla do have fun this present day.
11. At Christmas, Mexican Children do Not Receive Gifts
In Mexico, Christmas isn’t celebrated on Christmas Day; that’s “Nochebuena.” Mexican kids don’t get presents on Christmas Day, as a substitute they wait for one more day, “Día de Reyes” or “Three Kings’ Day” on January sixth. This tradition is deeply rooted in Mexican culture and has a number of religious and historical background.
Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) is widely known with family gatherings, food, and the infant Jesus within the nativity scene. Gift exchange is reserved for Día de Reyes, also referred to as the Feast of the Epiphany. This day commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men (Tres Reyes Magos or simply Los Reyes) to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. Wise Men bring gifts to kids in the identical way on January fifth; they leave presents under their beds or shoes.
12. A Mexican Inventor Contributed to Developing the Color TV
Guillermo González Camarena was born February 17, 1917 in Guadalajara, Mexico. In 1934, at 17 years old, he filed his first patent for the tv.
González Camarena’s biggest achievement was in 1940 when he developed an early color TV system which he called the “Trichromatic Sequential Field System”. This system used rotating color wheels within the transmitter and receiver to breed color images. He patented this in Mexico and the US.
In 1940, Guillermo González Camarena transmitted the primary color TV signal in Mexico, a historic milestone in color TV. His work on color TV was recognized internationally.
13. It’s Not a Third-World Country
The Cold War is to thank for the term “third world.” It was created as one in all three geopolitical alignment divisions. Countries aligned with the United States were considered “first world” on the time. Allies of the Soviet Union were “second world” countries. The countries not aligned with either were called “third world.”
Even when the Cold War ended, the term remained. “Third world” became one other name for poverty, while the opposite two divisions are unheard of.
The gap between the poor and wealthy in Mexico is large, but they aren’t considered a poor country due to their GDP per capita. Mexico offers many attractions, similar to other developed countries.
14. Mexico Differs From Latin America in Many Ways
From the culture to the language, Mexico is vastly different from Latin America. For one, Mexico is in North America, not Latin America. When it involves the language, Mexican Spanish is form of like slang. It’s a novel variation of Spanish.
If you’ve ever studied Spanish in class, you might already concentrate on this fact. Spanish teachers reiterate how different the Spanish language will be the world over.
Latin America and Mexico are similar in the case of toilet paper. Yes, you read that appropriately, toilet paper. In Mexico and Latin America, they like that you just throw toilet paper within the trash as a substitute of flushing it down the bathroom. Places closer to the ocean in Mexico are likely to be stricter about this.
15. Mexico Has the Oldest University in North America
When you think that of old universities in North America, your first thought could also be Harvard. However, the oldest university in North America is definitely the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), which is positioned within the capital city of Mexico City. It was founded in 1551, 85 years before Harvard was.
16. Mexico Has Some Odd Foods
Many foodies travel to Mexico for authentic Mexican cuisine. The most adventurous of foodies may stroll through a market and buy grasshoppers, scorpions, and spiders to enjoy during their next meal. This could also be a horrifying sight for the typical joe, but a few of these crawly critters have great flavor. Why else would you discover the people of Mexico selling them for consumption?
If you possibly can recover from the oddness of eating bugs, you’ll find some tasty treats which might be high in protein and, after all, are organic. There are tons of edible insects in Mexico to pick from.
It wasn’t meat that got the Aztecs through the day, it was fat-free bugs they found roaming the grounds. If you feel dangerous, sample a delicious critter during your travels in Mexico.
17. It has Foods we all know and Love As Well
From enchiladas to Tacos, Mexican food is a few of the most recognizable and best on the planet. Mexico’s national dish is Mole pronounced “moh-lay”) which is a wealthy and flavorful sauce that may be a staple in Mexican cuisine. It is used to boost the flavors of meats like chicken or turkey and is comprised of various ingredients, including dried chiles (equivalent to ancho, pasilla, and Mulato), chocolate (often unsweetened), spices (like cinnamon, cumin, and cloves), garlic, onions, tomatoes, and sometimes fruits (like plantains or raisins) and nuts (equivalent to almonds or peanuts).
18. Mexico is Regularly listed as One of the Most Popular Tourist Destinations
Mexico is a hot tourist spot. In fact, it’s one in all the highest 10 most visited tourist destinations on this planet. Right now, the World Tourism Organization has it because the sixth most visited country by way of tourism. With its long beaches, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Ancient Ruins, and cities, it’s no wonder it’s so popular.
19. Facts About the Mexican Flag
The Mexican flag is one in all three National Symbols of Mexico. It consists of three vertical stripes of equal width. The colours of the flag, from left to right, are green, white, and red. “Verde,” “Blanco,” and “Rojo.” The Mexican flag was first adopted on February 24, 1821.
In the middle of the white stripe, there’s Mexico’s national emblem, referred to as the “Mexican Coat of Arms” or “Escudo Nacional.” It features an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak. This emblem represents the legend of the founding of Tenochtitlan, the traditional Aztec capital, which later became present-day Mexico City. The symbolism inside the emblem invites readers to explore more about this unique civilization and its mythological elements.
Each color on the Mexican flag holds specific symbolism. Green represents hope and independence, white symbolizes purity and religion, and red stands for the bloodshed by those that fought for Mexico’s independence.
Record-Breaking Flag: In 2010, Mexico set a Guinness World Record for the biggest flag ever flown. The enormous flag, measuring 2,011 meters long, was displayed in celebration of the country’s bicentennial.
20. Mexico is one in all the Cradles of Civilization
Mexico has been around since 8000 – 12000 BC. We all know in regards to the Mayans and Aztecs, but fewer know in regards to the Toltec Civilization. The Toltecs were a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilization considered one in all the good civilizations of ancient Mexico, and their influence was widespread in what’s now central Mexico.
The Toltecs were an organized and concrete society. They had a hierarchical society with a king at the highest, nobility, priests, and commoners. The Toltec state was ruled by a king and had a warrior class.
The reasons for the autumn of the Toltec civilization are still unknown. Some say internal conflict, others environmental aspects or external invasions. Around the twelfth century, Tula was abandoned, and the Toltec state fell. However, the Toltecs left a giant cultural and artistic legacy to the Mesoamerican civilizations that followed, including the Aztecs.
21. The Spanish Ruled Mexico for 300 Years
The Spanish rule of Mexico as New Spain lasted almost 300 years, from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century. Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico in 1519 and, by 1521, had defeated the Aztec Empire led by Moctezuma II. That was the beginning of Spanish colonial rule in Mexico.
The Royal and Pontifical University, founded in 1551, is the oldest university in North and Central America. Its history is like Harvard’s.
In 1535, New Spain was established as a viceroyalty of the Spanish Empire. The capital of the viceroyalty was Mexico City (formerly Tenochtitlan). New Spain included what’s now Mexico, Central America, and a part of the southwestern US.
September 27, 1821, the Mexican War of Independence ended with the signing of the Plan of Iguala, and Mexico became independent of Spain. Agustín de Iturbide was the primary Mexican emperor, but Mexico became a republic.
Fun Facts About Mexico That Will Make You Want to Take a Trip!
Mexico could also be at the highest of the list to travel due to the gorgeous beaches and amazing views. Yet, this country has way more to supply than what people typically search out.
If you’re searching for wealthy history, ancient structures, and amazing food, Mexico is the place to be. Mexican culture Mexico is a wealthy tapestry of traditions maintained by the indigenous descendants in various regions, offering a novel and vibrant heritage. Don’t accept a day on the beach when you possibly can be experiencing way more!
