An Overview Of Mexico: History, Geography, Facts, & Points of Interest

Estados Unidos Mexicanos, or what roughly translates to The United Mexican States, large population and numerous climates are not usually what most tourists visit the country for. Culture changes occur all throughout the country, never being exactly the same. Mexico has a number of different landscapes, from mountains to deserts. This country has a lot of history and incorporates that into their culture. This very culture-based country stays close to home with their traditions.

Mexico is located in North America, in between The United States of America and Guatemala and Belize. Mexico’s absolute location, or the exact site on an objective coordinate system (a grid), is 23.6345° N, 102.5528° W. The Gulf of Mexico and The Pacific Ocean are surrounding Mexico where land is not. Mexico is also located in both the Northern and Western Hemispheres. This country is located exactly south of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and even California. This would make Mexico to the north of South America, being above Brazil and Argentina.

The Climate in Mexico is different in different places, as it is not exactly a small place. If you go up to the North of the country, you will have more of an arid (desert) or temperate with dry winters climate. The vegetation here would be considered ‘desert crops’, as the vegetation is arid. In the South of Mexico, you will have more of a tropical wet-and-dry climate. Mexico’s crops include grains, coffee, and various fruits and vegetables.

Most of Mexico’s western coast is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, while its eastern borders are surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico.

The culture in Mexico is transforming still to this day, as every country is. Mexico’s population of 127.5 million often puts the culture in different twists and turns, especially since it’s the 12th most populous country in the world. A majority of Mexico’s citizens speak Spanish, roughly 92.7 percent.

Mexicans are very religious people, around 82 percent of their citizens would consider themselves Catholic. Family also plays a huge role in their culture, as they honor their elders and respect their family members hugely. They tend to throw big celebrations in honor of those they think need to be celebrated. Even in typical Hollywood movies, La Fiesta deQuince Años (or Quinceañeras) and the Day of the Dead are seen as times to celebrate and go all-out.

Mexican arts are also a big part of their culture. Whether it be clay pottery or embroidered garments, the usually eye-catching pieces are covered in different designs with bright colors accompanying them. Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are both some of Mexico’s popular artist. Going into Diego Rivera’s work, an American artist named Romare Bearden was heavily inspired Rivera’s pieces. This shows that other cultures can find inspiration from others.

Citizens of Mexico hold onto their culture as time goes on, developing new traditions along the way, while still remembering their roots. The religion and culture are ways to identify Mexico from other countries, as these things are what sets Mexico from other Spanish-based places. Mexico is considered to be in the North American region, along with The United States of America, Cuba, Guatemala, and so on.

A functional region example for Mexico could be Mexico City, the Capital City of Mexico. This city is home to the baroque Catedral Metropolitana de México of the Spanish conquistadors and the Palacio Nacional, which houses plenty of historical features for Mexico and their citizens, along with several famous Mexican artists’ art. Mexico City is the most populated city in Mexico, with a little over 12 thousand citizens living in their capital city. While more than half of their population lives in the center of Mexico, most of the surrounding areas are used for vegetations or other types of businesses.

Mexico is usually stereotyped as a poor country that produces products or farms certain foods and sends them to where they need to go, but in reality, Mexico can be considered a pretty stable middle class country. Like all other countries, there will always be those living in poverty, but there are those living lavish and wealthy lives. Some people also think Mexico has year-round hot weather, and while it may be hotter here than some places, it sometimes snows in certain areas of Mexico.

Mexico had at one point been a ‘crossroad’ for the European, African, and Asian people, long before it would be considered ‘Mexico’. Essentially, they had started from the Spaniards and made their way to who they are now. A lot of the older traditions they have come from other cultures, then Mexicans making it into their own thing. Even now, Mexico would be considered by most to be a very traditional country. They believe certain genders have certain roles, always follow what your God asks of you, and respect your family no matter what.

Mexico is the largest importer and exporter within Latin America. Around 90 percent of Mexican exports were to its northern countries, The United States of America and Canada, and about 50 percent imports came from them. Mexico imports a lot of manufactured goods and crops. While trade went up between the northern countries and Mexico years earlier, other countries like Costa Rica and Honduras trade numbers skyrocketed with Mexico.

Tourism numbers in Mexico have been dropping lately, due to the safety risk in this country. Crime stats have increased, especially in what would be considered the tourism cities of Mexico. A lot of this has to do with gang violence and drug trafficking, but citizens of Mexico say that it’s the tourist that are making these numbers rise. Others recommend visitors to stay in the tourists spots of Mexico, to stay out of cities that they know nothing about. Certain beaches are fairly popular, despite the crime rates. Architectural sites, like Catedral Metropolitana, or major museums are popular sites tourists come to Mexico to see.

Although Mexico hasn’t created anything truly groundbreaking, there have been products we use in our daily lives that have been made in this country. Colored Television or the Birth Control Pill were both thought of and made in Mexico, which are both items we use in our daily lives and take for granted.

Even then, Mexico still is an important trade country within the world, supplying other countries with things they need. Mexico contributes to a big part of importing and exporting certain goods to numerous countries, especially The United States of America and Canada. Mexico’s culture is also derived from others, but the citizens shaped it into their own. The regions of the land can differentiate, but most of it is basically for either tourism and living or for farming and agriculture. Mexico’s culture is very one-of-a-kind, although it’s inspired from others. They made it into their own, and are successfully carrying on with their traditions and lives to this day.