MEXICO

=MEXICO= toc

MEXICAN FLAG
**MAP OF MEXICO (Geographical).**

National anthem.
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**Tour of Mexico.**
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**Facts.**
> total: 14 years > male: 14 years > female: 14 years >
 * **The capital** of Mexico is Mexico City.
 * **Total area** of Mexico is 1,964, 395 sq km.
 * **Location**: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the United States and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the United States
 * **Population: **113,724,226
 * **Literacy rate: ** 92.8
 * **Religion**: Roman Catholic 76.5%, Protestant 6.3% (Pentecostal 1.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.1%, other 3.8%), other 0.3%, unspecified 13.8%, none 3.1%
 * **Languages**: Spanish only 92.7%, Spanish and indigenous languages 5.7%, indigenous only 0.8%, unspecified 0.8%
 * Their government is a federal republic.
 * The head of state in Mexico is // **Felipe Calderon.** //
 * Elections are every four years in Mexico.
 * **Voting age**- 18
 * **When women could vote**- 1947
 * **School life expectancy:**

> • Vehicle parts & accessories … $9.4 billion (7%, up 14.2%) > • Plastics … $6.6 billion (4.9%, up 12.9%) > • Computer accessories … $6.2 billion (4.6%, down 1%) > • Semi-conductors … $5.6 billion (4.1%, up 0.4%) > • Other petroleum products … $4.8 billion (3.6%, up 9%) > • Finished metal shapes … $4.75 billion (3.5%, up 28.2%) > • Telecommunications equipment … $4.4 billion (3.3%, up 45.7%) > • Industrial supplies … $4.2 billion (3.1%, up 13.3%) > • Industrial machines … $3.9 billion (2.7%, up 5.4%)
 * __**Imports to Mexico.**__
 * • Electrical apparatus & parts … US$10 billion (7.4% of Mexico from U.S. imports, up 13.2% from 2005)

> >
 * __**Exports from Mexico-**__
 * ** 1. Crude oil …US$30.3 billion (15.3% of Mexico to U.S. exports, up 31.8% from 2005)
 * 2. Car parts & accessories … $21.8 billion (11%, up 5.7%)
 * 3. Video equipment (e.g. DVD players) … $14.6 billion (7.4%, up 38.3%)
 * 4. Passenger cars … $14.2 billion (7.2%, up 31.2%)
 * 5. Other complete & assembled vehicles … $9.6 billion (4.8%, up 20.2%)
 * 6. Electrical apparatus & parts … $8.5 billion (4.3%, up 15.1%)
 * 7. Telecommunications equipment … $7.0 billion (3.5%, up 41.2%)
 *  8. Engines & parts … $5.0 billion (2.5%, up 5.6%)
 *  9. Computers … $4.3 billion (2.2%, up 3.7%) 10. Miscellaneous household goods (e.g. clocks) … $4.2 billion (2.1%, down 6%)

A brief history of Mexico.

 * 1502- Montezuma II assumes Aztec throne.
 * 1517- Spanish expedition lead by Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba lands on Yucatan.
 * 1519- Cortez enters Tenchtitlan and captures the Aztec ruler Montezuma II
 * 1520- Montezuma II is killed.
 * 1528- Juan de Zumarraga arrives as bishop of Mexico City and began to convert natives to Catholics.
 * 1718- Mission San Antonio de Valero is established which later became famous as the Alamo.
 * 1810- Mexico's War of Independence.
 * 1811- Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla is captured and executed.
 * 1821- Spain recognizes Mexican independence with the treaty of Cordoba.
 * 1822- General Augustin de Iturbide assumes control as emperor of Mexico.
 * 1823- Monarchy in Mexico falls, and a new constitution creates a Federal Republic.
 * 1829- President Vicente Guerrero abolishes slavery.
 * 1836- Battle of San Jacinto.
 * 1846-1848- The Us/Mexican War.
 * 1848- The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This treaty reduces Mexico's territory.
 * 1910-1920- The Mexican Revolution. This leads to a Civil War in Mexico.
 * 1929- The national revolutionary party is formed.
 * 1934- President Lazaro begins to industrialize Mexico.
 * 1942- Mexico declares war on Japan and Germany.
 * 1976- Huge offshore oil reserves are discovered. The Cantrell becomes the ministry of Mexico's oil production.
 * 1985- Earthquake in Mexico City kills thousands. This makes hundreds of Mexicans homeless.
 * 1993- Mexican parliament ratifies North American free trade agreement with US an Canada.
 * 1994- The stock market plunges in December, the peso loses a third of it's value.
 * 1996- The leftist popular revolutionary army attacks government troops.
 * 2000- Vincent Fox is sworn in as president in Mexico.
 * 2001- Zapatist guerrillas, led by subcommittee Marcos, march to highlight their demands it is called the "Zapatour."
 * 2001- Parliament passes a bill to increase rights of indigenous people. A few days ater Marcos rejected it, because it left indian population worse off.
 * 2002- Millions of secret security files are released, shedding light on torture and killing security forces of hundredsof political activists in the 1960's and 1970's.
 * 2002- Three army officers are charged with 1st degree murder over killings of 154 leftists in the 1970's.
 * 2006- 65 miners are killed in an explosion at a coal mine in Coahuila state.
 * 2006- Felipe Calderon is declared winner of presidential election.
 * 2006- a new federal police force is created to tackle drug cartels.
 * 2006- US president George W. Bush signs legislation to build 1,125kms of fencing along the US-Mexico border. Mexico refuses these plans.
 * 2007- New law obliging authorities to take toughr action against domestic disputes is put into effect.
 * 2007- Heavy rains flood nearly the entire southern state of Tabasco. 500,000 people are made homeless in one of the country's worst natural disasters.
 * 2008- Hundreds of thousands join marches throughout Mexico to protest against continuing waves of drug related violence.
 * 2008- Faced with drop in Mexican oil production energy reforms are put into effect.
 * 2009- Authorities close schools and public buildings after dozens are confirmed to have been killed by swine flu.
 * 2010- U.S. President Barack Obama signs into law a $600 million bill to put more agents and equiptment along the mexican boarder to regulate the flow of illegal immagrants.

Famous countrymen (and women) from Mexico.

 * Gael Garcia Bernal an actor.(born November 30, 1978.- )
 * Sor Juana lnes de la Cruz a poet (12 November 1648 – 17 April 1695.)
 * Salma Hayek an actress (born September 2, 1966- )
 * Benito Juarez a national hero. He severed 5 terms as president of Mexico, and restored the Republic in Mexico. (March 21, 1806 - July 18, 1872).
 * Frida Kahlo Octavio Paz an artist. (July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954)
 * Diego Rivera an artist. (December 8, 1886 – November 24, 1957)[[image:url.jpg width="186" height="250"]]
 * Hugo Sanchez an athlete. He is a famous soccer player. (born July 11, 1958- )
 * Pancho villa another national hero. He was a Mexican general. (5 June 1878 – 20 July 1923)

Attractions.

 * One of the best locations to visit is Cancun.It is a coastal city in Mexico. It has glorious beaches to swim in. It also has a great hotel scene in which Las Vegas style shows are happening all day, and also has DJ's. Also, there are many marine rides like a boat that takes you on the sea with glass on the bottom so you can see the coral reef. If you are not into that they have snorkeling to explore in the water, with an underwater museum where you may swim around and inspect all the statues.
 * Another great location to visit is the Myan Ruins. This is where you may explore throughout all the Aztec and Mayan temples.
 * Also, there is a city Cabo San Lucas. This city is right on the water and has very great tourist attractions such as shopping and snorkeling.



**Holidays.**

 * **Dia De Los Muertos- Day of the dead.** (November 1-2)
 * **Las Posadas**- The begging of Christmas festivities. This includes 9 consecutive days of candlelight processions and parties starting December 16th all the way to the 24th. Families traditionally re-anact the holy family's quest for lodging in Bethlehem. The procession is headed by a small plaster Virgin Mary and San José. They are followed by other children portraying angels, the Three kings and pastores (shepherds). The breaking of a piñata is a rigorous part of this celebration. (December 16-24)
 * **Noche Buena**- Noche Buena is the culmination of the Holiday festivities with the celebration of a midnight mass . Afterwards, families head home for a traditional Christmas supper. (December 24th- 25th)
 * **Three kings day.** (January 6th.)
 * **Semana Santa-** This is the Mexican Easter. Semana Santa is Mexico's second most important holiday season of the year, behind only Christmas, and runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. In addition to attending Mass on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. ( April 17 to 24)
 * **Cinco De Mayo.** (May 5th)
 * **Carnaval.** (March 9th)
 * **Dia de la Independencia.** (September 16th) ** **


 * Traditional Food.**
 * Main dishes. **
 * Tamales.
 * Birria which is steamed beef or goat.
 * Chile Colorado.
 * Menudo a classic Mexican soup.
 * Chile Verde.
 * Picadillo,seasoned beef.
 * Pollo Encacahuatado which is chicken covered in a homemade peanut sauce.
 * Pibil Pollo. This is chicken with a sour orange sauce served with chili on the side.
 * Chilorio, or pork with chile sauce.
 * Poc-Chuc, pork with onions on top.
 * Carnitas; tender and juicy fired pork.
 * Chile en Nogada, chiles in a walnut sauce.
 * [[image:http://zocalosalsas.com/images/zoom%20in%20tamales.jpg]](Tamales)

**Less Traditional dishes.**

 * Tacos
 * Burritos
 * Quesidillas
 * Nachos

**Common side dishes.**
(Tacos)
 * Refried beans.
 * Black beans.
 * Spanish rice.
 * Camote.(sweet potatoes.)

**Mexican Condiments.**

 * Pico de Gallo, or just a basic salsa.
 * Black beans and corn salsa.
 * Green salsa.
 * Spicy hot salsa
 * Chunky and creamy guacamole.
 * Pickled onions with jalapeños.
 * Spicy pickled carrots.

**Mexican desserts.**

 * Pastel de Tres Leches a moist cake.
 * Capirotada a Mexican pudding.
 * Flan.
 * Arroz Con Leche, rice pudding.
 * Cajeta. A Mexican candy.
 * Churros.

**Frijoles Refritos (Refried Beans)**
Ingredients
 * 1 recipe Frijoles (above)
 * ¼ cup vegetable oil
 * 1 cup white onion, chopped
 * 1 teaspoon salt

Procedure

 * 1) In a large bowl, coarsely mash the Frijoles with a fork or wooden spoon.
 * 2) In a large frying pan or skillet, heat the oil for about 30 seconds over medium to high heat.
 * 3) Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes, until onion is golden but not browned.
 * 4) Add the mashed beans and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Salt to taste.
 * 5) Scoop the beans onto a warmed corn tortilla, and add a bit of shredded cheese (such as Monterrey Jack or mild cheddar).
 * Refried beans go in a lot of traditional and very common foods.

(Refried beans)

Ingredients

 * 4 corn tortillas
 * ¼ cup vegetable oil
 * 2 cups salsa, room temperature (from the supermarket)
 * 4 large eggs
 * 1 cup white cheese (such as Monterrey Jack), grated
 * 1 avocado, sliced

Procedure

 * 1) In a skillet, heat oil (about ½-inch deep) over medium to high heat.
 * 2) Add 1 tortilla at a time and fry each for about 5 seconds until softened but not crisp. Place on paper towels to drain.
 * 3) Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium to high heat; break the 4 eggs into the skillet and fry them, 2 to 3 minutes per side (or until the whites are cooked and the yolk is no longer runny).
 * 4) Place a tortilla on each of 4 dinner plates, topping each tortilla with a fried egg.
 * 5) Pour ½ cup of salsa over each egg and top with ¼ cup cheese and a few slices of avocado.

**Fruits and vegetables.**
(Dragon Fruit)
 * Fruits found in Mexico consist of:
 * Papayas.
 * Star Fruit.
 * Passion Fruit.
 * Avacadoes.
 * Corn.
 * Sugar cane.
 * Tomatoes.
 * Dry beans.
 * Dragon fruit.
 * Mangoes.
 * Pineapples.