Facts about Mexico
Facts about Mexico 1--1558
Mexico is a land of contrasts, with high mountains and deep valleys in the center of the country, vast deserts in the north, and dense rainforests in the south and east.
quick Facts
Official name: United Mexican States
Form of government: Republic
Capital: Mexico City
Population: 129 million
Official language: Spanish
Currency: Peso
Area: (1,964,375 square kilometers)
Main mountain ranges: Sierra Madre
Main rivers: Rio Grande, Yaqui.
Mountains cover much of Mexico. Between the Sierra Madre Oriental in the east and the Sierra Madre Occidental in the west lie small mountain ranges on the central plateau. These areas are rich in precious metals such as silver and copper.
The piece of land called the Yucatán Peninsula extends into the Gulf of Mexico from the southeastern tip of Mexico. It was once home to the Mayans, an ancient culture whose stunning buildings can still be seen today.
People and culture
Mexico is the product of a rich Native American heritage, three centuries of Spanish rule, and a shared border with the richest country in the world, the United States. Today, many Mexicans are mestizo, meaning they have a mixture of Native American and Spanish blood.
Throughout its history, Mexico has been home to great artists. The Mayans and other Native Americans created exquisite murals, sculptures, and jewelry. Contemporary Mexican artists include great painters, photographers, sculptors, and muralists.
Mexicans take sports very seriously. In ancient times, losers in a ritual ball game were once killed. In some extreme sports, such as bullfighting and rodeo (which was invented in Mexico), competitors still put their lives in danger.
nature
Few countries on Earth support as many plant and animal species as Mexico does. It is located halfway between the equator and the Arctic Circle, and is a refuge for animals escaping the extreme cold in the north and the extreme heat in the south.
In northern Mexico, deserts are filled with plant and animal species that have found ways to survive in the harsh environment. On the west coast of Mexico, gray whales swim thousands of miles each year from Alaska to breed in the waters off Baja California.
The rainforests and coastal wetlands of eastern Mexico are home to thousands of species of tropical plants and elusive animals such as jaguars and quetzals.
Government and economy
Mexico is rich in natural resources, such as oil, silver, copper, and agricultural products. Its economy boasts a rich diversity of agricultural crops, highly productive oil fields, and a growing industrial base, as well as strong trade with the United States and Canada.
Mexican history
The Olmec people, the first complex society in Mexico, appeared in the southeastern part of the country around 1200 BC, and were later followed by the Maya, Toltec, and Aztec peoples.
Ancient Mexican societies built great cities and massive pyramids, created magnificent works of art, and even studied the stars and planets to determine when to plant crops and hold celebrations.
In the early sixteenth century, the Spanish arrived in Mexico. The Aztecs became infected with smallpox and other diseases that the Spanish brought with them. The Spanish also captured and destroyed the Aztec capital, called Tenochtitlan. The Spanish ruled Mexico until 1821.
Mexico has participated in the World Cup 17 times (the first in 1930)


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