Mexico

INTRODUCTION, GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY

Mexico is an incredibly diverse place in terms of not only people, but climates and landscapes
as well. In fact, it has the 4th highest biodiversity in the world, with about 10% of all the
world's species living somewhere in Mexico. Let's take a little tour of Mexico and get to know
its geography a little better.

Mexico is a federation comprising 31 states and Mexico City, a special federal entity that is
also the capital city and its most populous city. Other metropolises in the state
include Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Toluca, and Tijuana

Pre-Columbian Mexico dates to about 8000 BC and is identified as one of five cradles of
civilization. In 1521, the Spanish Empire conquered the city of Mexico, which was
administered as the Viceroyalty of New Spain. Three centuries later, the Independence was
declared on September 16t, 1810. In 1910 the Constitution of 1917 was promulgated and the
current political system of the country emerged as a federal and democratic republic.

Mexico is a nation of the Western Hemisphere, sharing a northern border with the United
States of America and a southern border with Guatemala and Belize. To its west lies the Pacific
Ocean, and to the east are the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

This large country is covered in mountains, deserts, and rainforest, but the most significant
division may be the Tropic of Cancer, which cuts right through the middle of Mexico.

Another defining feature of Mexico's overall geography is the fact that is sits over not one, not
two, but three tectonic plates. As a result, Mexico is among the most seismically active places
in the Western Hemisphere, and earthquakes have caused major damage in the past. This is
the reason because mexico is a predominantly mountainous country.
Northern Mexico

Northern Mexico, the part above the Tropic of Cancer, is defined by a mixture of deserts and
mountains. There are two main mountain ranges in northern Mexico. To the west is the
mountain mother west, and to the east is the mountain mother east.

Between these two ranges is a high-elevation plain called the Mexican highlands. The highland
region is mostly arid desert, including the expansive Chihuahuan Desert.

Central Mexico

Central Mexico is very mountainous, with peaks reaching over 16,000

feet in elevation. Many of these peaks are volcanic and are active to this
day. Volcanoes are obviously dangerous, but volcanic soil is also very
fertile. Thanks to this volcanic soil and fresh water from the mountains, the
valleys of central Mexico were home to some of the oldest settled
civilizations in the world. From Mexico City, you can also see Popocatepetl
in the distance, the still-active volcano once revered by the Aztecs.

Food

The history of Mexican food is a long and diverse one. It is believed that authentic Mexican food
might have been derived from the Mayan Indians. They were traditionally nomadic hunters and
gatherers. Corn tortillas with bean paste were a common food item; but they also ate wild game,
tropic fruits, and fish.

In 1521 Spain invaded Mexico. Spanish foods had the most influence on the Mexican cuisine.
They introduced new livestock, such as sheep, pigs and cows. They brought with them dairy
products, and garlic as well as many different herbs, wheat and spices.