Mexico+(Breanna)

-Created by Breanna Link-
 * Mexico**

**__General Information__** **Capital City**: La Ciudad De Mexico Other major cities in Mexico: (Leon, Puela, Guadlajaa, Monterrey, Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Acapulco, Merida, Varacruz.) **Population:** 113,724,226 The annual population growth rate is:1.102%. **Demographics:** Mestizos make up about 60% of the population in Mexico. The indigenous people make up about 30% of the population. The people of the European ancestry make up 9% of the population and Mexican immigrants make up about 2% percent. **Religion:** Roman Cathoilc (76.5%) Other Religions: Protestant (6.3%), Other (0.3%), Unspecified (13.8%), None (3.1%). **Official Languages:** Spanish Other Languages Spoken in Mexico: (Nahuatl, Yucatec Maya, Mixtec, Zapotec, Tzeltal Maya, Tzotzil Maya, etc)

**Major Exports:** Manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits, vegetables, coffee,and cotton.

**Major Industries:** The gross national product of the manufacturing industry in 1998 amountedto almost $82 billion. The major manufactured goods weremotor vehicles, consumer durables, food, beverages, tobacco,chemicals, textiles, and clothing. After Mexico City, the most important industrial center is Monterrey in the north.

**Monetary System:** The monetary system of Mexico in decimal based, with the primary unit of currency called the Peso.

__** Geography **__

**Area:** 1,964,375 sq. km (About three times the size of Texas)

**Terrain:** Costal lowlands, centeral high plateaus, and mountains up to 5,400 m.

**More Information:** To the north of Mexico you can find deserts. To the south you can find tropical rain forests. In between there is a grassland and plains. The georaphy also depends on which region you are talking about. There are hilly regions such as Central Mexico, mountainous regions along the Sierra Madre mountain ranges and flat regions such as the Yucatan peninsula.

**Weather and Climate:** In the Northwest and the Northern the climate is the driest. In the Northern inland in the winter it is really cold and freezing.

**How does its geography affect is economy?** Mexico geographic locaion affects the economy by presenting competitive advantages in many industries,which includes tourism, agriculture, migration, etc.

__**Breif History**__

Highly developed cultures, including those of Olmecs, Mayas, Toltecs, and Aztecs, existed long before the Spansih conquest. Hernan Cortes conqured Mexico durng the period 1519-1521 and founded a Spansh colony that lasted nearly 300 years.

Independence from Spain was proclaimed by Father Miguel Hidalgo on September 16, 1810. Father Hidalgo's declaration of national independence "Viva Mexico!" , launched a decade long struggle for independence from Spain. Prominent figures in Mexico's war for independence were: Father Jose Maria Morelos; he defeated the Spaindards and ruled as Mexican politics from 1822-1823; and Antonio Lopez de anta Ana, who went on to dominate Mexican politics from 1833 to 1855. An 1821 treaty recognized Mexican independence from Spain and called for a consitutional monarchy. The planned monarchy failed, a republic was proclaimed in December 1822 and established in 1824.

Throughout the rest of the 19th century, Mexico's government and economy were shaped by contentious debates among liberals and conservatives, republicians and monarchists, federalists and thise who favored centralized government. During the four presidential terms Benito Juarez, Mexico experimented with modern democratic and economic reforms. President Juarez terms in office and Mexico's early experience with democracy were interrupted by the invasion of French forces in early 1862. They imposed a monarchy on the country in the form of Hpsburg archdukeFerdinand Maximillian of Austria, who ruled as emperor from 1864-1867. Liberal forces succeeded in overthrowing, and executing, the emperor in 167 after which Juarez returned to office until his death in 1872. Following several weak governments, the authoritarian General Porfirio Diaz assumed office and was president during most of the period between 1877 and 1911.

Mexico's sever social and economic problems erupted in a revolution that lasted from 1910 until 1920 and gave rise to the 1917 consitution. Prominen leaders in tis periods and some wo were rivals for power were: Franciso, Madero, Venustiano, Carranza, Pancho Villa, etc. Thr insitutional Revolutionary Party, formed in 1929 under a different name emerged from the chaos of revolution as a vechicle for keeping political competition among a coalition of interest in peaceful channels. For 71 years Mexico's national government was controlled by theinsitutional Revolutionary Party, which won every presidential race and most gubernatorial races until the July 2000 presidential election of Vicente Quesada of the National Action Party, in what were widely considered at the time the freest and fairest elections in Mexico's history.

__** Government/ Current Political Situation **__ **Type of Government:** Federal Republic **Current Leader:** Felipe Calderon




 * Political Climate:** Mexico's political climate has been stable ever since President Calderon won the election in July, 2006. Presidential elections will be held in Mexico in July 2012.

__** Culture **__ **Food:** Mexican food has always been considered to be very spicy. Mexico has given chocolate to the worldas well as peanuts, vanilla, beans, coconuts and tomatoes. Mexican traditional cooking makes use of these native elements to produce tasteful meals. Mexico's conquerors bought specialities like pork, lamb, beef, wine, vinegar and cheese from Spain; the Mexican cuisine evolved, by integrating these European elements into their own traditional meals. The Mexican cuisine eventually met the cuisine from the north, and Tex-Mex food was created. Tex-Mex food is a blend of flavors and recipes from the Mexican, Texan and American culture.

**Clothing:** In major cities, modern Mexican clothing does not differ much form the clothes we use everyday. Young Mexican people living in big cities trend to wear clothes like loud-colored cotton T-Shirts, sneakers, and jeans. Traditional Mexican clothing combines native and European elements. The fibers of choice among the Mexicans are cotton, bark and agave. Typical women clothing includes a skirt (which is called a "huipil") an "quechquemitl" (which is a closed sholder cape) and a "rebozo" (which is a kind of shawl). Mexican clothing for men is mostly "European- like". The only native addition to men's wardrobe is a large blanket cape, called "Sarape". Mexican men often wear boots too.

**Sports:** Charreria and bullfighting are popular sports in Mexico, and many large cities have buildings. Mexico City has one of the largest bullring in the world. It can seat 55,000 people. Bullfights occur on Wednesdays, and other weekdays. Other popular sports and activities include futbol (which is soccer), boxing, baseball, basketball, and Jai alai. The game futbol is by far the most popular sport in the country.

**Holidays/Celebrations:** Carnaval : Carnaval is an official Mexican holiday that kicks off a five day celebration of the libido before the Catholic lent. Beginning the weekend before Lent, Carnaval is celebrated with parades, floats, costumes, music and dancing in the streets. The festival of Carnaval is celebrated as a last indulgence of carnal pleasures that Catholics must give up for 40 days of fasting during Lent (From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday).



Dia De La Independencia : Mexicos Independence Day is celebrated on September 16. It commemorates the beginning of Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain, which began on the 16th of September in 1810.



Cinco De Mayo: The origination for Cinco De Mayo, commemorates the defeat of the French army by the Mexicans at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is a regional holiday celebrated in the state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, but it is also celebrated in other parts of the country and in united States Cities with a significant Mexican population.

Semana Santa : Semana Santa is Mexioo's second most important holiday season of the year. It runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Sundy. Mexicans attend Mass on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but many Mexicans also take advantage of this holiday to go on vacation. Semana Santa is also known as Holy Week, which celebrates the Christian holiday of Easter.

Noche Buena : Noche Buena is the culimination of the Holiday festivities with the of a midnight mass. After that, families head home for a traditional Christmas supper, which features regional dishes. The evening is rounded with the opening of gifts and for the children, pinatas and luces de Belen.

**Music:** The music of Mexico is very diverse and features a wide range of musical styles. It has been influenced by a variety of cultures, most notably indigenous Mexican and European, since the Late Middle Ages. Many traditional Mexican songs are well nown worldwide which includes Besame Mucho (Kiss Me A Lot), La Bamba (The Bamba)...etc. []

**Art:** Mexican art consist of the various visual arts. The development of these arts roughly follows the history of Mexico, divided into the Mesoamerican era, the colonial period, with the period after Mexican War of Independence. Mexico is known for its folk art traditions, mostly derived from the indigenous and Spanish crafts.

__** Tourism **__

**Baclar, Quintana Roo:** If you want to go on a vacation you should visit Baclar, Quintana Roo.Those who have been to Bacalar assure to have fallen in love at first sight. The peacefulness of its environment and the peoples's hospitality make Bacalar a place to enjoy it with family, your loved one, friends or alone. It is most common to see couples enjoy a romantic evening under the shadow of palm shelters found along the shore of the lagoon, or at the foot of the kiosk on the Main Square, making it the ideal place to celebrate Valentines Day.



**Puerto Vallarta:** Another beautiful place in Mexico to visit is Puerto Vallarta. It is the 5th largest city in Mexico. Its spectacular beaches, wildlife, awesome weather, and great food makes this place an attractive destination for tourists.



**Oaxaca:** Oaxaca is the best place for tourist to visit if they are food lovers, historybuffs and cultural enthusiasts. This city has mountains, beaches, caverns, forests, and architectural gems for visitors to explore and enjoy.The city has high mountain peaks, deepest cavernsin the workd, virgin beaches, hidden jungles, and glowing valleys that house populations with varied customs and cultures.

__** Current Events **__

**Mexico and U.S.Sign International Coalition for Fightng Climate Change, Reducing Emissions and Promoting Clean Air:** This article was about how Mexico and the United States recently announced the formation of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition which is a new international coalition to reduce emissions of common pollutants that contribute to rapid climate change and widespread health problems. The coalition will be funded $15 million. The United Nations Environment Programme will run the coalition. Source: []

[] __** Sources **__ [] [] [] [] [] Natonal Geographic Magazine [] []
 * Climate Change in Mexico and its Affect on the Mexican Economy :** This article was about how environmental leaders from around th world attended the Climate Change Conference in Durban, South America. Tudela emphasized Mexico's stake in climate change negotiations, as he country itself lnerable to the effects of climate change which includes floods and droughts. Last year Mexico experienced the worst drought in 70 years, which affected 70% of the country's terrain. Mexico has long-been dedicated to improving its environmental stewardship.
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