2. The Romance languages
Occasionally called the Latin languages or, less often, the Romanic or Neo-Latin languages--are a group of
languages descended from Vulgar Latin. They form a branch of the Italic languages within the Indo-European
language family. The five most widely spoken Romance languages by number of native speakers are Spanish
(410 million), Portuguese (240 million), French (75 million), Italian (60 million), and Romanian (25
million).[1] The largest have many non-native speakers; this is especially the case for French, which is in
widespread use throughout Central and West Africa and the Maghreb region.
The Romance languages evolved from Latin from the sixth to the ninth centuries. Today, there are more than
800 million native speakers worldwide, mainly in Europe and the Americas and many smaller regions
scattered throughout the world, as well as large numbers of non-native speakers, and widespread use as
lingua franca.
So what is Hispanic Culture?
Hispanic or Latino culture encompasses the traditions, language, idioms, religious beliefs and practices,
legends, arts, music, literature, cuisine, history, social and family values of the Hispanic people.
Some people use the terms Hispanic culture and Spanish culture interchangeably. However, they refer to two
different things: Hispanic culture consists of the traditions and customs of people with Latin American roots
and whose primary language is Spanish. Spanish culture encompasses the heritage and traditions of the
people of Spain.
From Spain to Mexico and from the Caribbean to South America. . . the singers who perform these wonderful
songs come from different countries where Spanish is spoken, including the United States. You will also find a
couple of Italian artists who also sing in Spanish.

3. If one were to go by the archaeological remains and artifacts, Spain is actually one of the earliest
settlements in Europe. Places like the caves and sites in Granada, Altamira, Almeria and Murcia
have yielded evidences of a prehistoric Spain as far back as 1.2 million years ago. The Basques
are believed to have descended from the Cro-Magnons.
Early Civilizations
Spain’s strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea attracted settlers who took advantage of its
abundant natural resources and fertile lands. The Iberians came from the South followed by
Celtic tribes who had interracial relationships with the former giving rise to tribes of Celt
Iberians.
The Phoenicians arrived in the Iberian Peninsula and founded settlements which are known
today as Cadiz, Malaga and Adra. To the south and the Mediterranean coast came the Greeks
and later on the Carthaginians who conquered most of the peninsula and founded colonies such
as Ibiza and Cartagena. However, after the Second Punic War in 213-201 B.C. the Romans
defeated the Carthaginians and took over Hispania.
The Romans made significant contributions to the country’s cultural, economic, intellectual and
artistic development: aside from building historical monuments, the Romans also left landmark
legacies such as the Roman laws, the Latin language and Christianity.
The Roman Empire was followed by the takeover of the Visigoths in 410 and although their
occupation lasted more than three centuries, their influences were not as deep and as significant
as that made by the Romans.

4. The cultures of Spain are European cultures based on a variety of historical influences, primarily that of Ancient Rome, but also
the pre-Roman Celtic and Iberian culture, and that of the Phoenicians and the Moors. In the areas of language and religion, the
Ancient Romans left a lasting legacy. The subsequent course of Spanish history added other elements to the country's culture and
traditions.
The Visigothic Kingdom left a sense of a united Christian Hispania that was going to be welded in the Reconquista. Muslim
influences were strong during the Middle Ages. The Spanish language derives directly from Vulgar Latin and has minor influences
from pre-Roman languages (Iberian and Celtic) and other languages such as Gothic and Andalusian Arabic. Another influence was
the minority Jewish population in some cities. After the defeat of the Muslims during the Christian Reconquista ("Reconquest")
period between 718 and 1492, Spain became an almost entirely Roman Catholic country. In addition, the nation's history and its
Mediterranean and Atlantic environment have played a significant role in shaping its culture, and also in shaping other cultures,
such as the culture of Latin America through the colonization of the Americas.
A significant portion of Spanish cuisine derives from the Roman, Jewish, and Andalusian traditions. The Moorish people were a strong
influence in Spain for many centuries. However, pork is popular and for centuries eating pork was also a statement of Christian ethnicity or
"cleanliness of blood", because it was not eaten by Jews or Muslims. Several native foods of the Americas were introduced to Europe through
Spain, and a modern Spanish cook could not do without potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and beans. These are some of the primary influences
that have differentiated Spanish cuisine from Mediterranean cuisine, of which Spanish cuisine shares many techniques and food items.
The essential ingredient for real Spanish cooking is olive oil, as Spain produces 44% of the world's olives. However, butter or lard are also
important, especially in the north.
Daily meals eaten by Spaniards in many areas of the country are still very often made traditionally by hand, from fresh ingredients bought daily
from the local market. This practice is more common in the rural areas and less common in the large urban areas like Barcelona or Madrid,
where supermarkets are beginning to displace the open air markets. However, even in Madrid food can be bought from the local shops; bread
from the "panadería" and meat from the "carnicería".
One popular custom when going out is to be served tapas with a drink, including sherry, wine and beer. In some areas, like Almería, Granada
or Jaén in Andalusia, and Madrid or Salamanca in the centre tapas are given for free with a drink and have become very famous for that
reason. It should be noted that almost every bar serves something edible when a drink is ordered, without charge. However many bars exist
primarily to serve a purchased "tapa".
Another traditional favorite is the churro with a mug of thick hot chocolate to dip churros in. "Churrerías," or stores that serve churros, are
quite common. The Chocolatería San Ginés in Madrid is especially famous as a place to stop and have some chocolate with churros, often late
into the night (even dawn), after being out on the town. Often traditional Spanish singers and musicians will entertain the guests.

5. Hernan Cortes
He was a Spanish explorer and soldier known in history to lead the conquest of the Aztec
Empire in Mexico, beginning the wave of colonization in the Americas.
12 October 1492 – Christopher Columbus discovers The
Americas for Spain, painting by John Vanderlin.

7. The Spanish arrival and colonization brought Roman Catholicism to the country, which became the
main religion of Mexico, however, Mexico has "no official" religion, and the Constitution of 1917 and the anti-
clerical laws imposed limitations on the church and sometimes codified state intrusion into church matters.
The government does not provide any financial contributions to the church, and the church does not
participate in public education.
The last census reported, by self-ascription, that 11.5% of the population is Christian. Roman Catholics are
89% of the total population, 47% percent of whom attend church services weekly. In absolute terms, Mexico
has the world's second largest number of Catholics after Brazil. According to the Government's 2000 census,
approximately 87 percent of respondents identified themselves as at least nominally Roman Catholic. Other
religious groups for which the 2000 census provided estimates included evangelicals, with 1.71 percent of the
population; other Protestant evangelical groups, 2.79 percent; members of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1.25 percent;
"historical" Protestants, 0.71 percent; Seventh-day Adventists, 0.58 percent; The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, 0.25 percent; Jews, 0.05 percent; and other religions, 0.31 percent. Approximately 3.52
percent of respondents indicated "no religion", and 0.86 percent did not specify a religion.
Mexico is known for its folk art traditions, mostly derived from the indigenous and Spanish crafts. Pre-
Columbian art thrived over a wide timescale, from 1800 BC to AD 1500. Certain artistic characteristics were
repeated throughout the region, namely a preference for angular, linear patterns, and three-dimensional
ceramics. Notable handicrafts include clay pottery from the valley of Oaxaca and the village of Tonala.
Colorfully embroidered cotton garments, cotton or wool shawls and outer garments, and colorful baskets and
rugs are seen everywhere. Mexico is also known for its pre-Columbian architecture, especially for public,
ceremonial and urban monumental buildings and structures. Between the Spanish colonial era and the early
20th century, Mexican fine arts were largely influenced by European traditions. After the Mexican
Revolution, a new generation of Mexican artists led a vibrant national movement that incorporated political,
historic, and folk themes in their work. The painters Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro
Siqueiros became world famous for their grand murals, often displaying clear social messages. Rufino
Tamayo and Frida Kahlo produced more personal works with abstract elements. Mexican art photography
largely fostered by the work of Manuel Álvarez Bravo.

8. Spanish is the primary language of 20 countries worldwide. It is estimated that the
combined total number of Spanish speakers is between 470 and 500 million, making
it the second most widely spoken language in terms of native speakers.
Spanish is the third most spoken language by total number of speakers (after
Mandarin and English). Internet usage statistics for 2007 show Spanish as the third
most commonly used language on the Internet, after English and Mandarin.
Things you should know
about Spanish

9. Spanish spoken in the United States. Darker shades of blue indicate higher percentages
of Spanish speakers.
According to 2006 census data, 44.3 million people of the U.S. population were
Hispanic or Latin American by origin;38.3 million people, 13 percent, of the
population more than five years old speak Spanish at home.The Spanish language has
a long history and presence in the United States due to historic Spanish and later,
Mexican administration over territories now forming the southwestern states as well
as Florida, which was Spanish territory until 1821.
Spanish is by far the most widely taught second language in the country, and with
over 50 million total speakers, the United States is now the second largest Spanish-
speaking country in the world after Mexico. While English is the de facto official
language of the country, Spanish is often used in public services and notices at the
federal and state levels. Spanish is also used in administration in the state of New
Mexico. The language also has a strong influence in major metropolitan areas such as
those of Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio, New York, San Francisco, Dallas, and
Phoenix; as well as more recently, Chicago, Las Vegas, Boston, Houston, and
Baltimore-Washington, D.C. due to 20th and 21st century immigration.

10. Judaeo-Spanish
Judaeo-Spanish (also known as Ladino) which is essentially medieval Spanish and closer to modern Spanish
than any other language, is spoken by many descendants of the Sephardi Jews who were expelled from Spain
in the fifteenth century. Therefore, its relationship to Spanish is comparable with that of the Yiddish language
to German. Ladino speakers are currently almost exclusively Sephardi Jews, with family roots in Turkey,
Greece or the Balkans; current speakers mostly live in Israel and Turkey, and the United States, with a few
pockets in Latin America. It lacks the Native American vocabulary which was influential during the Spanish
colonial period, and it retains many archaic features which have since been lost in standard Spanish. It
contains, however, other vocabulary which is not found in standard Spanish, including vocabulary from
Hebrew, French, Greek and Turkish, and other languages spoken where the Sephardim settled.
Judaeo-Spanish is in serious danger of extinction because many native speakers today are elderly as well as
elderly olim (immigrants to Israel) who have not transmitted the language to their children or grandchildren.
However, it is experiencing a minor revival among Sephardi communities, especially in music. In the case of
the Latin American communities, the danger of extinction is also due to the risk of assimilation by modern
Castilian.
A related dialect is Haketia, the Judaeo-Spanish of northern Morocco. This too tended to assimilate with
modern Spanish, during the Spanish occupation of the region.
Songs Folklorists have been collecting romances and other folk songs, some dating from before the expulsion.
Many religious songs in Judeo-Spanish are translations of the Hebrew, usually with a different tune. For
example, Ein Keloheinu looks like this in Judeo-Spanish:

11. The foundation of Mexican music comes from its indigenous sounds and heritage. The original
inhabitants of the land, used drums, flutes, maracas, sea shells and voices to make music and
dances. This ancient music is still played in some parts of Mexico. However, much of the
traditional contemporary music of Mexico was written during and after the Spanish colonial
period, using many European instruments. Some instruments whose predecessors were brought
from Europe, such as the vihuela used in Mariachi music, are now very Mexican.
Mexican society enjoys a vast array of music genres, showing the diversity of Mexican culture.
Traditional music includes Mariachi, Banda, Norteño, Ranchera and Corridos. Mexicans also
listen to contemporary music such as pop and Mexican rock. Mexico has the largest media
industry in Latin America, producing Mexican artists who are famous in Central and South
America and parts of Europe. Folk songs called corridos have been popular in the country since
the 16th century. It may tell the story about the Mexican Revolution, pride, Mestizo, romance,
poverty, politics or crime.

12. Today, musical groups known as Mariachis perform along streets, festivals and restaurants. A Mariachi group
includes singers, guitar, trumpets, violin and marimba players. The most prominent Mariachi group is Vargas de
Tecalitlán, which was originally formed in 1897. Veracruz dance performed at ITESM-Campus Ciudad de México.
Other styles of traditional regional music in México: Son Jarocho (Veracruz, with guitars and harp), Huapango or Son
Huasteco (Huasteca, northeastern regions, violin and two guitars known as quinta huapanguera and jarana), Tambora
(Sinaloa, mainly brass instruments) Duranguense, Jarana (most of the Yucatán peninsula) and Norteña (North style,
redoba and accordion).Folk dances are a feature of Mexican culture. Significant in dance tradition is the "Jarabe
Tapatío", known as "Mexican hat dance". Traditional dancers perform a sequence of hopping steps, heel and toe
tapping movements.
Among the most known "classical" composers: Manuel M. Ponce ("Estrellita"), Revueltas, Jordá (Elodia), Ricardo
Castro, Juventino Rosas ("Sobre las olas"), Carrillo (Sonido 13), Ibarra, Pablo Moncayo (Huapango) and Carlos Chávez.
Popular composers includes: Agustín Lara, Consuelo Velázquez ("Bésame mucho"), "Guty" Cárdenas, José Alfredo
Jiménez, Armando Manzanero, Luis Arcaraz, Álvaro Carrillo, Joaquín Pardavé and Alfonso Ortiz Tirado.
Traditional Mexican music has influenced the evolution of the Mexican pop and Mexican rock genre. Some well-
known Mexican pop singers are Luis Miguel and Alejandro Fernández. Latin rock musicians such as Carlos Santana, Café
Tacuba and Caifanes have incorporated Mexican folk tunes into their music. Traditional Mexican music is still alive in the
voices of artists such as Eugenia León and Lila Downs.

13. Flamenco in Spain
Julio Iglesias
This Spanish crooner has gained international prominence for his romance ballads. He has sold over 300
million albums worldwide and is one of the top 15 best-selling musicians in history.
Flamenco is probably the most well-known Spanish tradition. Flamenco is not just a dance; even more it is an art form of
dancing that includes dancing, singing and handclaps. On the whole, true flamenco is amazing and spontaneous; true flamenco
dancing requires the pretty dress: but if you would like to see Flamenco dancing in Spain, you need to go to a show at a Tablao.
Fiestas and Festivals
Spain is famous for its famous fiestas and festivals over the world. There are more than 3,000 festivals and fiestas celebrated
every year. The Spaniards are really fun-loving people and know how to enjoy the life.

14. Bullfighting
Bullfighting is probably one of the most controversial Spanish customs.
Notwithstanding, the bull fights and bull runs in Pamplona never fail to attract
large crowds, not only from Spain itself but from different parts over the world.
Undoubtedly, it is a fascinating cultural tradition in Spain, which remains an ironic
part of the country. Bullfighting tales place in Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Ronda
and Pamplona.
Sangria and Paella
Paella is a traditional dish in Spain as well as sangria a national drink for Spaniards
Bullfighting is a dangerous sport, but soccer is definitely not. Soccer is significant
in the lives of Spanish males. And with two of the most successful teams in
European soccer, any sports fan should check out Spain's football bequest. Spain is
the current European soccer champs and has won the Tour de France for three
years in a row.
Spanish customs and traditions came to Spain from the old generation, and still
exist. As generations move with the times, often some customs or traditions can be
lost. Hopefully, future generations will continue to enjoy the same legendary and
controversial traits like Spanish do now.

15. Pablo Picasso
This native of Malaga known for one of his greatest works “The Guernica” is hailed as one of the greatest and most prolific artists of the
20th century. He was one of the proponents for Cubism for art and sculpture. Today, several museums around the world are dedicated to
him and his works (Paris, Malaga, Barcelona) and some of his paintings are valued as among the most expensive paintings sold in auctions.
Miguel de Cervantes
Miguel de Cervantes was one of Spain’s most important literary figures, known around the world for his classic masterpiece “Don Quijote.”
He was a poet, a playwright and a novelist whose works have greatly shaped Spanish literature and the language itself.

16. A type of Spanish food known as "Tapas" from a bar in Seville.
As is true in many countries, the cuisines of Spain differ widely from one region to another,
even though they all share certain common characteristics, which include:
•The use of olive oil as a cooking ingredient in items such as fritters. It is also used raw.
•The use of sofrito to start the preparation of many dishes.
•The use of garlic and onions as major ingredients.
•The custom of drinking wine during meals.
•Serving bread with the vast majority of meals.
•Consumption of salad, especially in the summer.
•The consumption of a piece of fruit or a dairy product as dessert. Desserts such as tarts and
cake are typically reserved for special occasions.
Cuisine

17. Mexican cuisine is known for its blending of Indigenous and European cultures. Popular dishes include tacos,
enchiladas, mole sauce, atole, tamales, and pozole. Traditionally the main Mexican ingredients consisted of
maize, beans, meat, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, chili peppers, habenero peppers, onions, nuts, avocados and
guavas. Popular beverages include water flavored with a variety of fruit juices, and cinnamon-flavored hot
chocolate prepared with milk or water and blended until it becomes frothed using a traditional wooden tool
called a molinillo. Alcoholic beverages native to Mexico include mescal, pulque, and tequila. Mexican beer is
also popular in Mexico and are exported. There are international award-winning Mexican wineries that
produce and export wine.
The most important and frequently used spices in Mexican cuisine are chili powder, cumin, oregano, cilantro,
epazote, cinnamon, and cocoa. Chipotle, a smoked-dried jalapeño pepper, is also common in Mexican cuisine.
Many Mexican dishes also contain onions and garlic, which are also some of Mexico's staple foods.
Next to corn, rice is the most common grain in Mexican cuisine. According to food writer Karen Hursh Graber,
the initial introduction of rice to Spain from North Africa in the 14th century led to the Spanish introduction of
rice to Mexico at the port of Veracruz in the 1520s. This, Graber says, created one of the earliest instances of the
world's greatest Fusion cuisine's.
On the other hand, in Southeastern Mexico, especially in the Yucátan, is known for their spicy vegetable and
meat dishes. The cuisine of Southeastern Mexico has quite a bit of Caribbean influence, given its geographical
location. Seafood is commonly prepared in the states that border the Pacific Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, the
latter having a famous reputation for its fish dishes, à la veracruzana.
In modern times, other cuisines of the world have become very popular in Mexico, thus adopting a Mexican
fusion. For example, sushi in Mexico is often made by using a variety of sauces based on mango and tamarind,
and very often served with serrano-chili blended soy sauce, or complemented with vinegar, habenero peppers
and chipotle peppers.
Chocolate originated in Mexico and was prized by the Aztecs. It remains an important ingredient in Mexican
cookery.

18. Top 20 facts that may open you Spain in a new way
1.Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe. It occupies 85% of Iberian Peninsula’s territory. It is in fact five times
bigger than the United Kingdom.
2.The country comprises of seventeen autonomous regions.
3.The capital city of Spain is Madrid. It is the third most populated city in Europe as well as the fourth richest one.
4.Madrid is the greenest capital in Europe. The city enjoys more sunny days than almost any other city in Europe.
5.The economy of Spain is the seventh largest in the world.
6.94% of the citizens of Spain are Roman Catholic
7.With more than 8 000 km of beaches Spain is one of the best tourist destinations in Europe.
8.Since nudity is absolutely legal in Spain one will find a lot of nudist beaches scattered through the coast.
9.The official language of Spain is Spanish, there are however a lot of dialects. There are however independent
languages spoken in autonomous republic of Spain. Among them are Gallego, Valencian and Catalan.
10.In 2005 the same sex marriage became legal in Spain.
11.Spain is known for its olive oil production. It produces about 45% of all olive oil in the world.
12.When in restaurant in Spain be aware of the fact that ordering big portions may be considered impolite if you will
be unable to finish it.
13.Large tips are not common in Spain. But if you really liked the food and want to tip your waiter, you can leave some
coins.
14.If you are invited to somebodies home and you want to compliment your host on delicious food, you should accept
the second serving. But in this case you need to be 100% sure that you are able to finish it.
15.The most famous sport in Spain is soccer.
16.The biggest privately owned stadium in the world – RFC Barcelona is located in Barcelona, Spain. It is able to fit
about 100 000 people.
17.Spanish Real Madrid is the most popular club in the world. It is supported by more than 200 million people.
18.The most controversial sport in Spain is bullfighting. It represents Spanish history, art and traditions.
19.Legendary Flamenco dance was originated in Spain. But not everyone is aware of the fact that Flamenco is not only
a dance, it is a combination of music, dancing and guitar playing. Madrid is considered to be the Flamenco capital of
the world.
20.Such outstanding people as Antoni Gaudi, Joan Miro and Salvador Dali come from Spain.

19. One thing I didn’t expect to hear on my visit to Mexico was a lot about Brazil. Mexico sees Brazil, as the other large economy in
Latin America, as a bit of a rival fighting for its place in the sun. This not-so-generous sentiment has intensified in Mexico as the
world’s attention is making a turn toward to Brazil in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup (in 2014) and the Rio de Janeiro Olympics
(in 2016).
The dilemma for Mexicans is simply this: It is hard enough for them even in the best of times to get anybody looking at Mexico
City. But it is harder still at this juncture when the entire world, or so it seems, wants to go to Rio. To be sure, the competition is
not just about the World Cup and the Olympic Games. Mexicans also see Brazil as a rival economic model for Latin America.
Mexico remained committed to an open economy, as the country’s strategic promoters argue, even in the face its own “Tequila
crisis” of 1994-95 and the global financial crisis of 2008. In contrast, Brazil, they say, has resorted to protectionism, particularly
against Mexican industrial goods (especially in the automotive sector).
The prevailing view in Mexico is that their own country, along with Chile, Colombia and Peru, are the good guys in Latin America,
committed to openness to trade and foreign investment. As proof, it is offered that Mexico has the largest number of free trade
agreements signed in the region, followed by Chile. In contrast, Brazil leads the camp of the bad guys embracing protectionism,
outdone only by Argentina, the baddest guy in the neighborhood in terms of anti-trade policies.
At the same time, there is grudging admiration in Mexico for the success that Brazil’s former President Lula da Silva and his
successor Dilma Rousseff have had in fighting poverty in their country. Mexican experts do, of course, claim that this success is
based on measures that Brazil copied from Mexico.
But regardless of the merit of these endless comparisons with Brazil, Mexico has had a good story to tell in recent years.
•The culture of Mexico has changed rapidly during the 19th and 20th centuries. In many ways, contemporary life in its cities has
become similar to that in neighboring United States and Europe. Most Mexican villagers follow the older way of life more than the
city people do.
•More than 45 percent of the people in Mexico live in cities of over 50,000 inhabitants. Large metropolitan areas include Mexico
City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Puebla-Tlaxcala, while rural areas include small areas throughout Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero,
Sonora, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Yucatán, Aguascalientes, Michoacán, and many more.
Latin America’s economy

20. First, there is its macroeconomic story. Over the past decade, with the exception of 2008, when the Lehman
Brothers crisis left many countries reeling, economic growth has been in positive territory, most recently clocking in at
3.9% in 2012.
Inflation, too, has been cut in half over the past decade, and the fiscal situation is respectable. The budget deficit
amounts to only 2% of GDP, and net public sector debt clocks in at 34% of GDP. That is half of Brazil’s debt level —
and one-third the size of the United States’. Those signs of good housekeeping aside, the first big factor favoring
Mexico’s future is the wave of structural reforms being launched by President Enrique Peña Nieto, who took office in
December 2012. Reaching key areas such as taxation, social security, education, pensions and competition policy,
these reform measures — although long overdue — are bound to have a significant economic effect. Most specifically,
they are expected to lead to a sustainable GDP growth rate of 5% a year going forward. This compares to a rate of
only 2% over the past decade.
Second, there is Mexico’s globalization story. Mexico is an open economy, with trade accounting for 60% of GDP. It is
favorably connected to two-thirds of the global economy via its arsenal of free-trade agreements (FTAs). As both a
Pacific and an Atlantic country, Mexico has strong global economic connections by sea and by air.
Mexico is an enthusiastic supporter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Pacific Alliance within Latin
America. The TPP countries represent a market of 658 million people and a combined GDP of $20.7 trillion, so it has
not surprisingly attracted interest from Mexico. You can see the globalization of the Mexican economy most clearly by
going to Monterrey. According to Rolando Zubiran, the state’s deputy minister for foreign investment, 80% of U.S.-
Mexican economic activity passes through Monterrey, with its two railroad lines, large automotive sector, healthcare
sector and 127 industrial parks. “Our aspiration is to be the “Bangalore of Mexico,’” he explains. There are strong links
between Monterrey and the Asia-Pacific too, including with Australia.
Finally, there is Mexico’s “demographic dividend.” The average age of Mexico’s population is 26 years. That gives the
country an enormous supply of human capital hungry for skills and education. Seeing Rolando Zubiran, the young
dynamic state official in Monterrey, strut his stuff with his young team of experts and managers shows how
enthusiastic this generation is for Mexico to succeed. The main question is whether Mexico can keep them and if there
will be a reverse of the brain drain – as has occurred in the direction of the United States in the past.

21. Corruption, crime and China
So much for the good news, I hear you say, now tell me the bad news.
The main risks to Mexican economy are institutional. As is made plain in the influential book Why Nations Fail, by
Daron Acemoglu of MIT and James A. Robinson of Harvard, Mexican political institutions have been historically weak.
This has had long-term negative economic effects on Mexican entrepreneurship, competition policy, property rights and
democracy.
The first institutional issue is corruption and the related need for structural reform. President Pena-Nieto is conscious
of the need to make a real push for economic and political reform in his first six months of office. This has become
apparent in the recent arrest of Elba Esther Gordillo, the president of the Mexican Teachers Union, on charges of
corruption. Far from pursuing a crooked union official, this move points to a big push for education reform, which is at
the top of the new administration’s agenda, along with the related issue of labor reform and pensions. Gabriel Casillas,
chief economist of Casa de Bolsa Banorte, believes that pension and payroll tax reform could make a significant impact
on Mexico’s economy by encouraging more workers from the informal sector to join the formal labor market.
This would not only have enormous implications for the country’s productivity, boosting bank assets and providing a
dividend to the budget with increased direct income taxes. It would also change scores of lives and family career
patterns for generations to come.
The second, and related, issue is security. In key towns and regions throughout Mexico, security issues have re-
emerged, largely as a direct result of drug-related gang violence. This is frightening foreign investors and, of course,
many Mexican citizens themselves. In Monterrey, Rolando Zubiran, who enthusiastically explains the region’s economic
success, argues that social media activism and the ubiquity of communications technology amplify the impact of
isolated violent incidents. But he agrees that there is a problem in terms of both perception and reality As a result,
Mexico will continue to spend a large part of its economic growth dividend on security and public safety.
The third challenge is overall competitiveness and the influence of China. After China joined the World Trade
Organization, many of the gains Mexico made with the North American Free Trade Agreement vis-à-vis the United States
and Canada were eroded, particularly in the manufacturing sector. Now, as China’s labor market tightens and that
country’s demographics have begun to work against it (“getting old before you get rich”), it is expected that China’s
wage rates will surpass Mexico’s (aside from productivity issues that are notoriously difficult to measure and compare).

22. The China factor in the Mexican equation brings us back to the Brazil-
Mexico rivalry. Dr. Alfonso Guerra, a distinguished international official at
the Bank of Mexico, told me an anecdote that epitomizes the rivalry. Told
by a Brazilian official that, “Mexicans are not Latin American, they are
North American. They all speak English and 80% of their exports go to the
United States,” a Mexican official reportedly replied: “Well, then you
Brazilians should speak Chinese if you look at your current account.”
Nevertheless, Mexicans do have some reason to be wary of Brazil’s
increasing global profile, quite apart from hosting such signature events as
the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.
After all, what was the last Latin American nation to host both the World
Cup and Olympics in such a short span of years? It was Mexico — in
1968 and 1970.
That was Mexico’s moment. And with Brazil standing in the sporting
world’s spotlight in 2014 and 2016, Mexico hopes it will be its economic
attributes that will attract the world’s attention in years to come.

23. From America's beginning, Hispanic Americans have served as leaders in business, government, law,
science, athletics, the arts, and many other fields. In 1822, Joseph Marion Hernández became the first
Hispanic to serve as a member of the United States Congress, representing the newly established territory
of Florida. Businessman Roberto Goizueta, a refugee from Cuba who rose to become the CEO of one of
America's largest corporations, is an inspiring example of what immigrants to America can achieve through
hard work and character. Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Roberto Clemente's athletic skills,
generosity, and charity made him a legend on and off the baseball field. Through memorable recordings
and performances, singer Celia Cruz celebrated her heritage and helped introduce salsa music to the
United States.
Hispanic Americans have sacrificed in defense of this Nation's freedom, serving in every major American
conflict. More than three dozen Hispanic Americans have earned the Medal of Honor. Today, more than
125,000 Hispanic Americans serve in the Armed Forces, approximately 9 percent of our active-duty
military. As we work to advance peace, freedom, and opportunity abroad, we are grateful to all of the brave
men and women who serve our Nation, and to their families.
During Hispanic Heritage Month, I join with all Americans in recognizing the many contributions of
Hispanic Americans to the United States, and in celebrating Hispanic heritage and culture. To honor the
achievements of Hispanic Americans, the Congress, by Public Law 100-402 as amended, has authorized and
requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating September 15 through October 15, as
"National Hispanic Heritage Month."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim
September 15 through October 15, 2003, as National Hispanic Heritage Month. I call upon public officials,
educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate
ceremonies, activities, and programs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of September, in the year of
our Lord two thousand three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred
and twenty-eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH

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