This document provides an overview of Mexico including: 1) Mexico is a federal republic in North America with over 112 million people, making it the most populous Spanish-speaking country. 2) Mexican culture has been shaped by pre-Columbian civilizations like the Olmec, Toltec, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Maya and Aztec. Mexico celebrates important traditions like Independence Day, Day of the Dead, and Our Lady of Guadalupe. 3) Mexico has a diverse climate, from the hot Sonoran desert to the cool highlands, and is one of the most biodiverse countries with over 26,000 plant species. Mexican cuisine features ingredients like

2. All about Mexico
Priscilla Toledano
Fulbright scholar
Foreing Language
Teaching Assistant
Program
FLTA
2011-2012

3. Overview
• Federal constitutional
republic in North
America
• Boundaries
• Extension: over 760, 000
sq mi
• 5th largest country in
America
• Population: over 112
million
• The most populous
Spanish-speaking
country.
• 31 states and a Federal
District

4. Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica
• Olmec
• Toltec
• Teotihuacan
• Zapotec
• Maya
• Aztec

5. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
The Father of the
Independence
(September 15, 1810)

6. Climate
• The Tropic of Cancer
• Many large cities in
Mexico are located in
the Valley of Mexico
(temperature averages
from 60.8 to 64.4 °F)
and cool nighttime
temperatures
throughout the year.
• Cities in the north
experience
temperatures of 104 °F
or more in summer. In
the Sonoran Desert
temperatures reach
122 °F or more.

7. Biodiversity
• Mexico is one of the 18
megadiverse countries of
the world.
• 1st place in biodiversity in
reptiles with 707 known
species
• 2nd place in mammals with
438 species
• 4th place in flora with
26, 000 species

8. Mexico’s native culinary ingredients

9. Tequila
Tequila is a spirit made from the blue agave
plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city
of Tequila, 40 miles northwest of
Guadalajara, and in the highlands (Los Altos) of
the western Mexican state of Jalisco.

10. Economy
Daily minimum wages are
set annually by law and
determined by zone; $5.75
USD in Zone A (Baja
California, Federal
District, State of Mexico, and
large cities), $5.59 USD in
Zone B (Sonora, Nuevo
León, Tamaulipas, Veracruz,
and Jalisco), and $5.45 USD
in Zone C all other states.

11. Transportation

12. Culture
• Traditions
• Food
• Family
• Dating
• Music and
dance
• Tourism

13. Traditions
• Independence Day (September 16 th)

14. Traditions
Day of the Dead
November 1st
and 2nd

15. Traditions
Our Lady of
Guadalupe (Spanish:
Nuestra Señora de
Guadalupe), also
known as the Virgin
of Guadalupe
December
12th

16. Lotería
Lotería is a Mexican game of chance, similar to
Bingo, but using images on a deck of cards instead
of plain numbers on ping pong balls.

17. Food
Gorditas, tacos, tortas, tamales, mole, chiles en nogada, tequila.

18. Mexican Family Values
• The family is at the center
of the social structure.
• Outside of the major
cosmopolitan
cities, families are still
generally large.
• The extended family is as
important as the nuclear
family since it provides a
sense of stability.

19. • Mexicans consider it their
duty and responsibility to
help family members.
• Most Mexican families are
extremely traditional, with
the father as the head, the
authority figure and the
decision-maker.
• Mothers are greatly
revered, but their role may
be seen as secondary to
that of their husband.

20. Hierarchical Society
• Mexican society and business
are highly stratified and
vertically structured.
• Rank is important, and those
above you in rank must always
be treated with respect.
• This makes it important to know
which person is in charge, and
leads to an authoritarian
approach to decision-making
and problem- solving.
• It would be disrespectful to
break the chain of hierarchy.

21. 'Machismo'
• Machismo literally
means 'masculinity'.

22. Meeting and Greeting People in
Mexico
• Whereas in the US and
some places in
Europe, people will happily
meet and just say
"hello, nice to meet you", in
Mexico, the correct physical
contact is essential to build
trust and respect with
others.
• Personal Space: Mexicans
tend to stand closer to each
other than in the USA and
Europe. Stepping back too
far may be taken as a sign
of mistrust.

23. • Men Meeting Men: Men always
shake hands when they meet and
before they depart each other's
company. An hug is shared between
friends.
• Men Meeting Women: In social
situations, women may lean toward
you to kiss; you should follow
through with a light kiss on the
cheek (only one, unlike Italy, for
example). Most women will simply
offer a handshake.
• Women Meeting Women: In social
situations where women know each
other, women will always hug and
kiss each other on the cheek.

24. Time
• For social events, you could
show up 30 minutes later
than the time on the
invitation.
• If you are sending out
invitations to a social
gathering, keep in mind that
guests won't show up at the
time you state

25. Dining Etiquette
• Invitations: If you invite
someone to eat out, it is
assumed (and expected)
that you will settle the
bill. Splitting the bill is not
done in Mexico
and, indeed, suggesting it
should be done is
considered rude and
uncouth.

26. Relationships & Communication
• The right connections facilitate
business success.

27. When dating Mexican girls…
• you’ll usually be expected to foot
the bill
• walk on the street side of the
sidewalk when you stroll together
• do all the romantic stuff like in the
movies
• find somewhere starlit, buy flowers
and then say all the things you’d
never say back home for fear of
breaking down laughing.

28. Music and dance
Mariachi - El Son de la Negra

29. Tourism
• Tamaulipas

30. Welcome to Mexico!!!!
Priscilla Toledano
toledanopriscilla@gmail.com
toledanoe@dewv.edu

31. References
• Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico retrieved on September 25,
2011
• You tube Ballet “Folklórico de UAG”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfGkU5dw7Xo retrieved on
September 25, 2011
• You tube “Estrellas del Bicentenario de México”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0psKcffZEg&feature=related