Mexico

Quick Facts

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Capital

Mexico City

Population

104,908,000

Government

Federal Republic

Religions

Christianity (Catholic, Protestant)

Languages

Spanish

Calling Code

+52

Nationality

Mexican

Local name

México

Introduction

Petrified Waterfall

© All Rights Reserved tommydavis

Modern Mexican culture is the result of centuries of intermingling between the indigenous Amerindian cultures and Spanish culture. In the current day, these cultures have come together to create a modern nation with all the skyscrapers of other Western nations, but with traditional, centuries-old practices still carried on as if white man had never set foot in the New World. For travellers able to tear themselves away from Mexico's metropolitan hotspots and explore the countryside, an engaging insight into Amerindian culture is the reward. But tear themselves away they must, for Mexico's popular tourist spots are popular with very good reason. Whether it be the ancient ruins at Teotihua'an, Spanish colonial towns like Puebla, or the gorgeous seaside resort at Acapulco, Mexico's diversity delights visitors with its brilliant potential.

Brief History

Geography

Regions

Mexico is divided into 31 states and 1 federal district (Mexico City).
The 31 states can be grouped into larger regions.

• Baja includes Baja California and Baja California Sur'
• Pacific Coast includes Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Michoachan, Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas
• Central Northern Mexico includes Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi and Aguascalientes
• Central Mexico includes Guanajuato, Queretaro, Hidalgo, Estado de Mexico, Morelos, Tlaxcacla and Puebla
• The Caribbean Coast and Yucatan includes Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo

Cities

• Mexico City
• Guadalajara
• Monterey
• Cancun
• Merida
• Acapulco
• Puerto Vallarta
• Tijuana
• Chihuahua
• Ciudad Juarez
• Playa del Carmen
• Creel, Batopilas
• Riviera Maya

Sights and Activities

Beaches

• Acapulco on the Pacific Coast
• Cabo San Lucas in Baja California Sur
• Cancún on the Yucatán Peninsula in Quintana Roo.
• Mazatlán on the Pacific coast in Sinaloa
• Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean Coast in Quintana Roo.
• Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast in Jalisco

Archeology sites

The central and southern parts of Mexico were home to the Aztec, Mayan and Olmec civilizations among others and numerous ruins from these civilizations can be visited.

• Calakmul is one of the largest Mayan cities ever uncovered.
• Chichen-Itzá located on the Yucatán Peninsula is a large Mayan archaeological site. It is a popular day trip from the resort town of Cancún.
• Monte Albán
• Palenque
• Teotihuacan
• Xochicalco

Spanish colonial history

• Campeche
• Cuernavaca
• Guanajuato
• Puebla
• Querétaro
• Zacatecas

Nature

• Cozumel is very popular for its scuba diving
• Barranca del Cobre (Copper Canyon)
• La Bufadora, a blowhole on the Punta Banda Peninsula in Baja California
• Sian Ka'an, a national park in Quintana Roo

Events and Festivals

• San Marcos Fair in Aguascalientes
• Puerto Vallarta festival

Weather

Mexico's climate is divided by the Tropic of Cancer. North of it, the climate is temperate and experiences cooler months during winter. In this part of the country north of the 24th parallel, summers are hot and humid and winters are mild.

South of the 24th parallel, temperatures are fairly consistent year round and vary based on elevation. Areas up with elevations up to 1000 metres average between 24 °C and 28 °C. Many of Mexico's cities are located in the Valley of Mexico or adjacent valleys with altitudes above 2000 m. The climate at that altitude is more temperate averaging 16 °C to 18 °C throughout the year, with cool nights.

Most of Mexico experiences a rainy season during the summer. Regular rains are most likely from June to September. Mexico's northern regions have a dry climate, while the tropical lowlands in the south of Mexico have an average annual rainfall of 200 cm.

Getting There

By Plane

Basically, Mexico has two national airlines of importance. These are Mexicana and Aero Mexico. Main hub is Mexico City International Airport (MEX). Other important international airports are General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (MTY) near Monterrey, Cancún International Airport (CUN) and Guadalajara International Airport (GDL). Several North American and European airlines all have direct flights into one of these 4 international airports.

By Train

There are no international connections by train to and from Mexico

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Getting Around

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Red Tape

Money

Mexico uses the New Peso (MXN). 1 Peso is made up of 100 centavos.

Notes come in denominations of ME$500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of ME$20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centavos.

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