Jerusalén School
Students:
- Ari Alexander Díaz Ramírez
- Irma Betsabe Gómez Quintanilla
- Daniela Alexandra Gonzales Colocho
- Cecilia Gabriela Hernández Cortez
- Christopher Jostin Majano Escobar
- Cristian Alejandro Marroquín Nieto
Grade: 11 th “A”
Teacher: Lic. Nahúm Rodríguez.
Subject: English
Activity: Travel Around the World
Country: Mexico
Mexico
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The word México comes from the Nahuatl word Mēxihco, which means
“the navel of the moon.” The official name is the United Mexican States. It
is the eleventh most populated country in the world, with a population of
approximately 118 million people. The official language is Spanish, which
coexists with 67 indigenous languages. The republic is made up of 32 free
and sovereign states, and its capital city is Mexico City. It is the tenth
largest country in the world, with an area close to 2 million square
kilometers.
CULTURE
Mexican culture is the result of the blending of indigenous traditions with
Spanish culture imposed by colonization and, to a lesser extent, the
contribution of African cultures from the slaves that Europeans brought
into the nascent Latin American society.
Among the original American cultures that gave rise to it, the Maya,
Mexica, Toltec, Zapotec, and Teotihuacan cultures stand out.
Among the most notable elements of Mexican culture, the following can
be mentioned:
Literature. Mexico has a Nobel Prize-winning author, awarded to poet and
essayist Octavio Paz in 1990.
Archaeology. Mexican archaeological heritage is among the most
recognized and important in the world, given that a significant portion of
its territory was occupied by various Mesoamerican cultures, including the
Aztec Empire. Major archaeological sites in Mexico include Tulum, Chichen
Itza, Cobá, Uxmal, Monte Albán, and Dzibanché.
Film and television. Mexican cinema and television were very important
during the 20th century, with the participation of popular figures such as
Pedro Infante, the famous comedians Mario Moreno “Cantinflas,” Germán
Valdés “Tin Tan,” and Roberto Gómez Bolaños “Chespirito.”
Popular music. Mexican music, especially ranchera songs, mariachi music,
Mexican corrido, and rock, are internationally recognized popular forms.
Renowned performers include Pedro Infante, Vicente Fernández, Juan
Gabriel, and Julieta Venegas, as well as bands like Molotov.
As an interesting fact, mariachi culture is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity, recognized by UNESCO on January 21, 2011.
Likewise, Mexico’s contribution to the visual arts at a global level is very
significant, with internationally renowned names such as muralists Diego
Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros, painters Frida
Kahlo and Remedios Varo, and conceptual artist Gabriel Orozco.
Gastronomy:
Mexican gastronomy was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity by UNESCO in 2010.
It is considered one of the best cuisines in the world due to its wide
variety of ingredients, high-quality raw materials, and ancestral traditional
recipes inherited from its culture. Above all, it’s recognized for its
explosion of flavors and colorful, addictive dishes.
Among the most well-known Mexican dishes are: quesadillas, enchiladas,
gorditas, pozole, tamales, and mole.
Some of the most acclaimed drinks include: tequila, mezcal, atole,
champurrado, and tepache.
Tacos:
The word taco comes from the Nahuatl word “tlahco”, meaning “half or in
the middle,” referring to how it’s made. A taco is a Mexican delicacy made
with corn tortillas filled with meat or any stew, usually accompanied by
salsas.
There is a wide variety of taco preparations, such as: suadero, barbacoa,
cochinita, birria, arrachera, adobada, and lengua (tongue).
Hibiscus Water (Agua de Jamaica):
Part of the popular aguas frescas, agua de jamaica is one of the most
consumed drinks in Mexico. This infusion is made by boiling water with
hibiscus flowers (Hibiscus sabdariffa), then straining it and sweetening it
to taste with sugar.
TRADITIONS
The Day of the Dead is one of the most emblematic and significant
traditions in Mexico. This festivity, celebrated on November 1st and 2nd,
is a tribute to life and to the memory of deceased loved ones. Although
the name might suggest a somber and sad approach, the celebration is a
vibrant expression of Mexican culture.
Mexican families create altars to the dead decorated in their homes and
visit cemeteries to honor their departed. The altars are filled with
offerings, photographs of loved ones, marigold flowers, and objects that
the deceased used to enjoy in life. During these days, it is believed that
the spirits of the dead return to the world of the living to enjoy these
offerings. The festivity is characterized by its music, colors, traditional
foods such as pan de muerto and mole, and the unmistakable skeleton
figure Catrina, which has become an icon of the celebration.
La Catrina and the elegant “catrines” are symbols of the Day of the Dead
that represent the connection between life and death, a gesture of
affection and respect that Mexican culture holds toward its ancestors.
They symbolize that death is part of the cycle of life, without end, and
serve as a reminder that one day we will all die, regardless of our origins.
Candlemas Day
Candlemas Day is a Mexican holiday celebrated on February 2, which
commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the
purification of the Virgin Mary, according to Catholic tradition.
In Mexico, it is customary for the person who finds the figure of the Child
in the Rosca de Reyes to prepare tamales and atole for their family and
friends. This tradition dates back to the Aztec calendar, since February 2
coincides with the blessing of corn, and is an auspicious occasion to make
food with this ingredient
Mexican Independence Day: Mexican Independence Day, celebrated on
September 16, is one of the most significant Mexican holidays. This date
commemorates the beginning of the fight for Mexico's independence
from Spanish rule in 1810. The event that marked the beginning of this
fight was the famous "Grito de Dolores," pronounced by the priest Miguel
Hidalgo y Costilla in the town of Dolores. Hidalgo called on Mexicans to
rebel against Spanish rule, which led to Mexico's independence in 1821.
Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe: The Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe,
celebrated on December 12, is one of the most important religious
holidays in Mexico and Latin America. This holiday commemorates the
appearance of the Virgin Mary to the indigenous Juan Diego in 1531 on
Tepeyac Hill
Dance of the Parachicos in Chiapas: This festival takes place in January in
honor of San Sebastián Mártir and is characterized by the dance and
colorful costumes of the "Parachicos," who dance in the streets of
Chiapa de Corzo. This festival was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by
UNESCO in 2009
Charrería is a source of pride and tradition in Mexican culture. Its practice
combines horseback riding with various forms of rodeo, equestrian
activities, and traditional livestock practices. In Mexico, Charrería is
considered the national sport par excellence since it was officially
recognized by the National Sports Commission.
There are three types of charro attire: Faena is used in competitions,
Media gala is worn at casual parties, and Gran gala is worn at formal
events and is considered formalwear in charrería.
Thanks to the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, the charro outfit became a
symbol of Mexican identity, worn by major national stars like Pedro
Infante and Jorge Negrete.
It is worth noting the difference between a charro and a mariachi—the
former is an athlete, an experienced horseman, while the latter entertains
audiences with a rich repertoire of traditional Mexican songs.
TOURISM:
Tourism in Mexico is one of the country’s main sources of income due to
its rich cultural, historical, and natural diversity. Mexico offers a wide
variety of destinations, ranging from paradisiacal beaches to
archaeological sites and cities full of history. Some of the most famous
places to visit in Mexico include:
1. Beaches and coastal areas: Cancún and the Riviera Maya (Quintana
Roo), Los Cabos (Baja California Sur), Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco), Acapulco
(Guerrero)
2. Archaeological sites: Chichen Itzá (Yucatán), Palenque (Chiapas)
3. Nature and ecotourism: La Huasteca Potosina (San Luis Potosí),
Sumidero Canyon (Chiapas), Chapultepec Forest (Mexico City)
4. Magic Towns: Valle de Bravo (State of Mexico), Tulum (Quintana
Roo)
5. Cultural sites and museums: National Museum of Anthropology
(Mexico City), Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul, Coyoacán, Mexico City)
WONDER OF THE WORLD
Chichén Itzá was one of the most important cities of the Mayan
civilization, located on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Its foundation
dates back to around 600 A.D., and it reached its peak between the 9th
and 10th centuries. During this period, it became a key political, religious,
and commercial center in Mesoamerica.
The city stood out for its impressive architecture, like the Pyramid of
Kukulkán and the Ball Court, as well as for its astronomical knowledge,
reflected in structures like El Caracol. However, starting around 1200 A.D.,
Chichén Itzá began to decline due to war, internal conflicts, or ecological
crises, and it was eventually abandoned around 1450 A.D.
Rediscovered in the 19th century by explorers like John Lloyd Stephens,
Chichén Itzá has been restored and has become one of Mexico’s most
popular tourist sites. In 1988, it was declared a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO, and in 2007, it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the
World.
Size: At its height, the city covered around 25 km², although only a small
portion has been excavated and restored to date.
