What is Mexico like today? Mexico. Geography, description and characteristics of the country. Life of the wild

Mexico is an independent country in southern North America, located at the widest part of the isthmus south of the US border, connecting the two continents of North and South America. Area - 1.97 million km2 (13th place in the world), population - 121 million people, density - 62 people/km2. The capital is Mexico City, major cities are Guadalajara, Puebla, Ecatepec de Morelos.

Geographical characteristics

Mexico is located in the territory east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, it includes part of the Yucatan Peninsula (12% of the country), the country occupies most of Central America. The country's area is 1.97 million km2, including 6 thousand km2 of island territories of the Pacific Ocean (Guadeloupe and Revilla-Gijedo), islands in the Gulf of Mexico and California, and the Caribbean Sea. The northern border with the United States has a length of 3141 km, Mexico's southern neighbors are Guatemala and Belize (the length of the border is 871 km and 251 km, respectively).

Nature

The northern and central parts of the country lie within the Mexican Highlands, which in the north turns into the Great Plains plateau in the United States. In the east, the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range stretches from north to south, in the west in the same direction - the Sierra Madre Occidental, this is a continuation of the Rocky Mountains, mostly located in the United States. In the center, the ridges of the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt, collectively called the Sierra Nevada, stretch from east to west. Here are located such mountain peaks as the stratovolcanoes Orizaba (5.7 thousand m, the highest point in the country) and Nevado de Toluca (4.6 thousand m), the active volcano Popocatepetl (5.4 thousand m). The flat surfaces account for only a third of the country, the largest on the Yucatan Peninsula and the flat lowlands are located mainly in strips along the coast of the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico...

Rivers and lakes

More than 150 river streams flow through Mexico, most of them belong to the Pacific Ocean, 1/3 flows into the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The largest river in Mexico, the Rio Bravo del Note (3034 km), originates in the USA and is called the Rio Grande there. It moistens the driest Mexican lands; the border with the United States runs along its bed in the north of the country. Most of the rivers originating in the Sierra Madre Occidental are lost in the arid zone and disappear. The main river of the center of Mexico, the Lerma, flows into the freshwater Lake Chapala (area 1.1 thousand km 2, location - 45 km from the city of Guadalajara in the southwest of the country), carrying its waters from it into the Pacific Ocean under the name Rio Grande -de Santiago. Other major rivers are the Balsas, Grijalva, Usumacinta, Conchos (the only tributary of the Rio Bravo del Note)...

Ocean, bay and sea surrounding Mexico

The western part of Mexico is washed by the Gulf of California of the Pacific Ocean, the eastern part by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea of ​​the Atlantic Ocean...

Plants and animals of Mexico

The variety of climatic conditions on the territory of the country determines the diversity of flora and fauna. In northern Mexico, in arid areas, a large number of cacti, agave, yucca, mesquite trees grow, wolves, coyotes, a large number of rattlesnakes and lizards live here. In hot tropical zones, dense tropical vegetation grows, represented by palm trees, rubber plants, and olive trees. On the slopes of the mountains oaks, pines and spruces grow, bears, pumas, ocelots, and jaguars are found. On the coasts of the oceans live seals, turtles, many birds...

Climate of Mexico

The territory of Mexico lies in two climatic zones, its northern part is in the subtropical climatic zone, the rest of the country is in the tropical one.

Most of the northern territories on the border with the United States, from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf Coast, and the central regions of the country are in arid conditions (precipitation amount is about 250-300 mm per year), in the south there is more precipitation, the amount reaches up to 600 in Mexico City mm, a sufficient amount of precipitation (up to 2000 mm) is received by the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the land of Yucatan. The rainy season lasts from May to October, and powerful tropical cyclones often occur here.

The country's climatic conditions largely depend on the altitude above sea level and vary depending on this factor. The coastal plains, 900 meters above sea level, have a humid and hot climate (temperatures from +19 °C to +49 °C), this is the so-called hot zone. At an altitude of 900 to 1800 m there is a temperate zone with temperatures of +17 °C, +21 °C, higher is the cold region, it is quite cool here - about +16 °C...

Resources

Natural resources of Mexico

Mexico has significant reserves of fuel and energy resources such as oil (the fourth largest producer of crude oil in the world), natural gas, and coking coal. Also, large reserves of iron ore, non-ferrous and precious metal ores are concentrated here, Mexico has 1st place in the world in the production and export of silver, fluorspar, the country is the world's main exporter of mercury, antimony, cadmium, zinc, manganese...

Mexico is one of the developed industrial-agrarian countries with the most developed economy among the countries of Latin America. The leading sectors of its industry are mining, energy, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemistry and oil refining, food and light industries.

Crop production is the leading branch of Mexican agriculture. The main crops grown are wheat, corn, soybeans, rice, beans, coffee, fruits, tomatoes, cotton...

Culture

Peoples of Mexico

The culture of the Mexican people is a mixture of Spanish culture and the pre-Columbian culture of ancient Indian tribes (Aztecs, Mayans). The customs, traditions and beliefs of Catholic Europe coexist peacefully with the culture of the ancient Indian civilization. In the artistic art of Mexico, the most popular and famous have become frescoes, unique wall paintings, the development of which was greatly influenced by the architecture and art of the Aztecs and Mayans. Such famous Mexican artists as Diego Rivera and David Siqueiros worked in the fresco technique. The famous surrealist artist Frida Kahlo comes from Mexico...

As in any Catholic country, Mexico celebrates a very large number of religious holidays, the largest of which are Christmas and Easter; almost every village has its own patron saints, in whose honor local holidays are held with songs, dances, and carnival processions. One of the most amazing Mexican holidays, in which the beliefs and traditions of the ancient peoples of Mexico and their descendants are closely intertwined, is the Day of the Dead (November 1-2). This unique purely Mexican holiday is dedicated to the memory of deceased people, it shows that death should be treated lightly and without fear. It does without tears and lamentations, on the contrary, it is one of the most fun days of the year, when, after the traditional visit to the graves of their ancestors, people forget about their sorrows, wear bright carnival costumes, eat sweet skulls made from sugar icing and entertain themselves and others with entertaining figures toy skeletons, which are the main characters of this holiday.

Official name— Mexican United States

The occupied area of ​​the country is 1.9 million square kilometers.

According to 1998 data, the living population is 99.6 million people.

The official language of Mexico is Spanish.

The capital of Mexico is Mexico City(with a population of 1990 – 9.8 million).

Official public holidays: Independence Day

The monetary unit of Mexico is the Mexican peso.

It is a member of the UN, OAS, etc.

The country of Mexico is located in North America, in the southern part of this continent. Mexico borders the United States in the north and Guatemala and Belize in the south. The western shores of the country are washed by the Pacific Ocean, and the eastern shores by the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

60% of the population belongs to the Indian-Spanish mestizos, which also constitutes the main ethnic group of the country; of the remaining part of the population living in Mexico, 30% are Indians. There are 56 Indian tribes in Mexico, and each of them has its own language (Maya, Otomi, Natsatl, etc.). The languages ​​of these tribes are studied in higher educational institutions, and literary works are also published in them. Many residents of the country who are mestizos prefer to consider themselves Indians and can even change their Spanish surnames to Indian ones. In addition to Indians and mestizos, about 9% of the white population live in Mexico, and 1% are Chinese, Africans, Arabs, etc. 74% of the population of Mexico lives in cities.

Mexican Cheerfulness

Mexicans stand out for their love of music. The country has a huge number of folk musicians - Mariaches. Uniting in unique ensembles, they perform on the streets and squares, in hotels and restaurants, at village festivals and official events. Even when Mexicans celebrate All Saints' Day or the Feast of the Dead, they remain cheerful, which takes place annually on November 2nd. They turned it into a cheerful celebration of life over death. The main symbol of this holiday is the human skull, which Mexicans try to depict as funny as possible. For this holiday, such skulls are specially made from sugar and caramel.

The country of Mexico is a very interesting place for tourists from all over the world!

Useful information for tourists about Mexico, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Mexico, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Mexico.

Geography of Mexico

The United Mexican States is a state in North America, bordered in the north by the United States, in the southeast by Belize and Guatemala, and is washed by the waters of the Gulf of California (Pacific Ocean), the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

Mexico owns a number of islands in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Most of the country is occupied by the ridges of the Mexican Highlands, Sierra Madre and Transverse Volcanic Sierra with many active volcanoes (about 350), including the highest point of the country - Orizaba (5700 m), Popocatepetl - (5452 m), etc. Volcanic activity is quite high, and earthquakes are also frequent.

State

State structure

Federal Republic. The head of state is the president. The legislative body is the bicameral National Congress (Senate and Chamber of Deputies).

Language

Official language: Spanish

Local ethnic groups speak their native languages ​​(Nahuatl, Mayan, Otomi, Zapoteca, etc.). English is widely spoken.

Religion

Catholics (89%), Protestants (6%).

Currency

International name: MXP

The Mexican peso is equal to 100 centavos (cents). In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 pesos and coins in 50, 20, 10 and 5 centavos.

Currency exchange can be done in banks, large hotels, airports (usually the best rate) or specialized exchange offices "casas de cambio". Difficulties often arise with exchanging worn-out banknotes or banknotes of old series.

Most hotels, restaurants, shops and travel agencies accept leading credit cards and traveler's checks (preferably in US dollars). A network of ATMs is widely developed in resort areas.

US dollars are also accepted almost everywhere (the exchange rate is not the most favorable). When exchanging, you should be careful - there may be attempts to cheat.

History of Mexico

The appearance of man in Mexican lands dates back to the 20th millennium BC and was caused by constant migration of the population. In the 10th century, the Mayan people came from the north to the Yucatan Peninsula, encountering an already existing, more ancient civilization of city-states.

Another people, the Aztecs, founded Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) at the beginning of the 2nd millennium AD, and in the 15th century they already controlled the entire territory of Central Mexico. Irrigation was widely used in their economy; they owned weaving and pottery production. The city of Tenochtitlan in the 15th–16th centuries became one of the largest cities in the world. It had up to 300 thousand inhabitants and 65 thousand houses, and was equipped with a complex system of dams and canals that ensured its water supply. The Aztecs, who owned a vast area of ​​Mexican territory, laid the foundations of a state organization here, and the city of Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec state. The Aztec leader had at least a hundred thousand troops, which, however, did not know firearms or horses. According to their worldview, the Aztecs were pagans and made human sacrifices to the gods.

The further development of these centers of statehood was stopped by the invasion of Spanish conquerors in 1517. They captured the Aztec capital, killed the Aztec emperor Montezuma, took possession of his golden treasures and, ultimately, established Spanish rule and established Christianity (Catholicism) throughout the country. As a result, very distinctive ancient American civilizations were destroyed and then consigned to oblivion.

By the end of the 16th century, the conquest of the Mexican Plateau was completed. The Viceroyalty of New Spain was formed on the occupied lands, transferring full power to the feudal landowners who arrived here. Numerous attempts by Indians in the 17th–18th centuries to free themselves from the colonialists did not lead to success. The power of the metropolis was able to collapse only at the beginning of the 19th century, thanks to the weakening of Spain caused by the Napoleonic conquest. And although two uprisings that took place in 1810–1813 were suppressed, Mexico gained independence in 1821. In 1823, a republic was established in the country, declaring equal rights before the law for everyone.

The economic backwardness of the young state, its advantageous strategic position and worsening internal instability turned the attention of the United States here. They annexed Texas in 1845 and the following year began a series of wars of conquest, capturing half of Mexico's lands by 1854. The unsatisfactory actions of the government led to a social explosion that turned into a civil war in 1857. By 1867, fighting had ceased. It was mainly the republican-landowner circles that gained a foothold in power. The feudal remnants they preserved became the cause of the revolution of 1910–1917. Her victory weakened the position of the latifundists and strengthened the political role of the industrialists. The danger of a Japanese invasion forced the cabinet of ministers to declare war on the fascist bloc in 1941. In the post-war period, progressive democratic reforms were somewhat delayed, but nevertheless contributed to the further development of this Latin American state.

The appearance of man in Mexican lands dates back to the 20th millennium BC and was caused by constant migration of the population. In the 10th century, the Mayan people came from the north to the Yucatan Peninsula, encountering an already existing, more ancient civilization of city-states....

Popular attractions

Tourism in Mexico

Where to stay

Mexico, the cradle of the ancient civilizations of the Mayans and Aztecs, a country of outlandish nature with many paradises and hospitable people, has long won the love of tourists from all over the world. Thousands of kilometers of wonderful seashore, tropical forests, and a large number of architectural monuments create all the conditions for active and family recreation.

In addition to a huge number of attractions, Mexico has a fairly high level of service and a developed tourism infrastructure. Here you will find any housing, depending on your financial capabilities. The range of hotels in Mexico is varied and has a standard five-star classification, which is strictly controlled at the state level.

The country's hotels, which have a two-star level, include responsive staff, excellent service, and private swimming pools. Hotels, the level of which starts from three stars, offer vacationers 24-hour room service, their own bars and restaurants, snow-white beaches with clear water, picturesque swimming pools, Jacuzzis with waterfalls, and saunas. For lovers of active recreation, there will be an opportunity to engage in windsurfing, diving, yachting and other entertainment.

In addition to these hotels in Mexico, there are hotels of the Granturismo category, which are separate complexes that have everything necessary for a comfortable stay - from their own shops to helipads. Another category of such hotels is Special, which, in addition to a set of services of Granturismo class complexes, offer their guests some kind of exclusive service, for example, a free diving tour to their own island.

For fans of inexpensive travel in Mexico, small family and budget hotels, hunting lodges, and hostels with inexpensive spacious rooms and good Mexican cuisine offer their services.

Popular hotels

Excursions and attractions in Mexico

Mexico is an amazing country with a rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as stunning natural landscapes. Famous archaeological sites of the ancient Mayan and Aztec tribes, magnificent colonial architecture, excellent museums, tropical forests, snow-capped volcanoes, luxurious beaches, and, of course, traditional Mexican cuisine create a unique atmosphere and special flavor. A trip to Mexico will leave indelible impressions in your memory and bring a lot of pleasure.

Mexico's most famous sights are, of course, the magnificent structures of ancient civilizations. Among the most interesting places, it is worth highlighting the abandoned city of Teotihuacan with the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, perfectly preserved to this day, as well as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcoatl). Of particular interest is the pyramid in Cholula, which is considered the largest such structure in the world, surpassing in size the famous Pyramid of Cheops (unfortunately, most of it is destroyed today). Invaluable monuments of ancient civilizations are the sacred city of Chichen Itza, the archaeological complex of Monte Alban in the Oaxaca Valley, the ancient capital of the Toltecs Tula, Tajin (El Tajin), as well as Uxmal, Tulum, Palenque, Mitla and Mayapan.

The capital of Mexico, Mexico City, is the cultural, economic and political center of the country. This huge metropolis is rightfully considered one of the most colorful cities in the world. Here you will find a lot of interesting places and attractions. It is worth visiting the Cathedral, the National Palace, Constitution Square, Chapultepec Palace, the Palace of Fine Arts, Alameda Park, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the National Anthropological Museum, Xochimilco and the Plaza of the Three Cultures. No less interesting are the Tower Mayor, the House and Studio of Luis Barragan, the Azulezos House, the National History Museum, the Caricature Museum, the Frida Kahlo House Museum, the Polyforum Museum of Contemporary Art and the world's largest bullring. In Mexico City you will also see many beautiful churches that were built in the 17th-18th centuries. Not far from the capital are the charming colonial-style town of Taxco, which is famous for its silversmiths, and the “city of eternal spring” - Cuernavaca.

Particularly popular among tourists are the famous “night capital” of Mexico - Acapulco, the picturesque city of Guadalajara, Campeche, the resort area of ​​Cancun (one of the best resorts in the world) and, of course, the paradise for divers, the island of Cozumel. Among the magnificent Mexican resorts, it is necessary to note such places as Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen (Riviera Maya) and Los Cabos.

Great pleasure and a lot of impressions will also be provided by the magnificent Shel-Ha National Park - a natural aquarium in a mountain cave, Copper Canyon, Crocotown "crocodile park", La Molinche and Pico de Orizaba parks, Basaseachi waterfall, Selestum rare bird reserve and Xcaret Ecopark .

Mexican cuisine

Mexican cuisine is famous for its culinary traditions all over the world. You may find some dishes a little spicy at first, but you will still appreciate their taste. As a rule, national dishes are not complete without at least one of three typical components: tortillas (corn tortillas), beans and hot chili peppers.

The appetizers are genius, just like everything simple. Actually, most popular snacks - nachos, quesadillas, tacos, tostados, chimichangas - are the same unleavened corn tortillas (not only from corn, but also from wheat “imported” by the Spaniards) with fillings from corn, beans, peppers, cheeses, meats minced meat with tomatoes, for example, picadillo.

Stews with seafood, legumes, and spices are common. Salt, chili and tortillas must be on the table.

Hot dishes are prepared from several types of meat; goulash olla podrida, fried beef ribbons with a bean side dish, carne asado, and even the famous chili con carne, the preparation of which is held in real championships, are popular. Again, hot flatbreads with fillings: reminiscent of our dumplings or empanadas, which were once a simple omelette, and then turned into a kind of enchiladas rolls, thick, like packs on the back of a donkey, burritos. Well, for lovers of antiquity - aromatic tamales, steamed pieces of corn dough, wrapped in a leaf of corn on the cob and topped with a sauce of your choice.

The most famous Mexican dessert is the sweet royal bread Rosca de Reyes, the center of which is filled with dried fruit, and a doll is placed inside, symbolizing the infant Christ and the onset of the fiesta.

Mexican cuisine is famous for its culinary traditions all over the world. You may find some dishes a little spicy at first, but you will still appreciate their taste. As a rule, national dishes are not complete without at least one of three typical components: tortillas (corn tortillas), beans and hot chili peppers....

Tips

It is customary to leave it in restaurants, bars, porters, taxi drivers, etc. - 10% of the total bill.

Visa

Office hours

Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays (some bank branches are open even until 12 p.m. or until 1 a.m.), and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Sunday is a day off. Some bank branches in resort areas are also open from 16:00 to 18:00, on Saturday - from 10:00 to 13:30 and from 16:00 to 18:00, and on Sunday - from 10:00 to 13:30.

Shops are usually open from 9 to 19-22 hours with a traditional siesta break from 14 to 16 hours, the day off is Sunday.

The day off for museums, archaeological sites and theaters is usually Monday.

Purchases

VAT (IVA) is 15% and is usually included in all prices and invoices, but in some luxury hotels prices are quoted excluding tax. VAT is also charged on telephone calls, housing rent, etc.

Medicine

No special vaccinations are required, but it is recommended to take prophylaxis against malaria, vaccination against hepatitis A and B, and also take out international health insurance.

Medical care is paid and quite expensive. The purchase of some medications is only possible with a doctor's prescription, so you should bring the necessary long-term medications with you (with mandatory documentary evidence of the indication for their use).

Safety

Mexico continues to have a high crime rate, primarily pickpocketing and robbery. It is recommended to travel by car, bus and train only during the day. Taxis are recommended only from official stands ("sitios"), otherwise the chance of becoming a victim of robbery is quite high. It is recommended to order a taxi by phone, making sure to obtain the car number and taxi driver's license number from the dispatcher. At Mexico City Airport, you should only hire yellow airport taxis (with the airport logo on the door) and pay in advance at the appropriate "Transportacion Terrestre" kiosk in the airport lobby.

Try to drive on toll roads ("cuota") - they are safer. It is also recommended to avoid solo hikes in provincial areas, and often hitchhike. There are known cases of extortion of money by people in uniform.

Emergency numbers

Police, ambulance, fire brigade and other emergencies - 06.

Questions and feedback about Mexico

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Tijuana - Questions and Answers

Puebla - Questions and Answers

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Books

• Mexico, Ya. G. Mashbits, The first monograph by a Soviet author on the economic geography of Mexico - one of the largest countries in Latin America. It talks about the country’s diverse natural resources,… Publisher: Geographgiz,
• Mexico, J. G. Mashbits, Bright, fiery, richly flavored with various spices and herbs, seasoned with sauces of the most unusual tastes and colors, original and unique - this is the cuisine of Mexico. It is based on… Series: Cuisines of the world Publisher:

Mexican United States.

The name of the country comes from the name of the capital, which originates from the name of the supreme god of the Aztecs - Mexitli.

Mexico Square. 1964 400 km2.

Population of Mexico. 101879 thousand people

Location of Mexico. Mexico is a country in . In the north and east it borders with the United States of America, in the south - with and. In the east it is washed by the Gulf of Mexico and, in the west -. The state also owns several offshore islands.

Administrative divisions of Mexico. The state is a federation of 31 states and a capital.

Mexico form of government. A republic with a federal government structure.

Head of State of Mexico. President, elected for a term of 5 years.

Mexico's highest legislative body. Bicameral National Congress - Senate and Chamber of Deputies.

Supreme executive body of Mexico. Government.

Major cities in Mexico. Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Ciudad Juarez, Leon, Tijuana.

National language of Mexico. Spanish.