The document provides an overview of Mexico, including its location, geography, climate, history of independence from Spain, government, economy, natural resources, education system, culture, cuisine, transportation, and traditions. Mexico borders the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, North Pacific Ocean, and the United States. It has a diverse terrain ranging from coastlines to mountains. The climate varies from tropical to temperate with wet and dry seasons.

1. Welcome to Mexico ...bienvenido a Mexico

2. Location & Geography LOCATION : Middle America Borders : Caribbean Sea, Gulf Of Mexico, North Pacific Ocean, and the United States GEOGRAPHY : Size : 1/5 of the United States Terrain : Low Coastal Plains, Desert, rugged mountains, rain forests, and beaches Pico de Orizaba: the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America NATURAL HAZARDS : Tsunamis, Volcano Eruptions, Earthquakes, and Hurricanes

3. climate The Tropic of Cancer effectively divides the country into temperate and tropical zones Temperatures are fairly constant year round Mexico has wet and dry seasons Rainy season from June to mid-October (significantly less later) February and July generally are the driest and wettest months Northern Mexico is mostly desert (hot in the day and cold in the night) Because of mountain ranges in southern Mexico, the regions blow hot and cold creating pleasant climates Winters are comfortable and summers are very hot hurricanes Mexico lies within a hurricane belt Both coasts of Mexico are capable of being hit with storms (eastern coast more frequent and violent) recommended travel clothing Light clothing for daytime activities Sweater or sweats for the cool nights Hat or Sun visor Comfortable shoes

4. Mexican independence Who was the war between : Mexico & Spain What were the causes of the war : Mexico wanted: -representative government -restrictions on the power of the Catholic Church -freedom of speech & to make their own choices When did the war begin : 19 th Century: May 5th Where was the war fought : Mexico City Why : Mexicans wanted their independence from Spain What were the consequences of the war : Mexico gained their Independence (11 years) Spain lost Mexico as a colony

5. Government Federal Republic Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch Chief of State & Head of Government (president’s titles) Cabinet: appointed by President (required approval by the senate) Presidential Elections: -Elected by popular vote -Six year term Current President: Felipe de Jesus CALDERON Hinojosa Bicameral Legislature -National Congress -Chamber of Deputies Supreme Court of Justice

6. economy CURRENCY: PESO (MXN) 12.36 pesos = 1 U.S. dollar Revenue: 208.6 billion Debt: 177 billion Major Imports: United States and Japan Major Exports: United States and Canada Poverty: 18% of the country is food-based poverty 47% of the country is asset-based poverty

7. NAtural resources Petroleum Silver Copper Gold Lead Zinc Natural Gas Timber

8. education Education Three Levels : basic education (grades 1–9), upper secondary education (grades 10–12), and higher education Required school age: 6-14 years Issues: Insufficient amount of enrollment & high dropout rates Low student academic achievement Lack of teacher training 8 % of the population 18 and older have bachelor degrees *At 15 years old, teenagers can choose to attend preparatory school for three years and then go to a University or Technological college ...la escuela

9. la familia The family is the center of the social structure; extended family is just as important Generally large Extremely traditional The father is the head of the household Mostly Catholic la casa Typical Mexican houses consist of: Entry doors accented by columns Carved stone work Smooth curved archways Stain-glass windows Colorful tile Low pitched tile roofs Commonly one or two stories Ornate outdoor spaces

10. attractions cancun Beaches Mayan Ruins Horseback rides Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, and Swimming with Dolphins Mexico city Plaza de la Constitucion Catedral Metropolitana Palacio de Bellas Artes Xochimilco Palacio Nacional Palacio Nacional acapulco Water Sports Golf & Tennis More reasonable ($) than Cancun Taxco de Alarcón Romantic Resorts

11. la comida taco tortilla chips guacamole dip flan quesadilla fajitas enchiladas empanadas jalapenos

12. transportation Driving can be chaotic and somewhat aggressive Overload of traffic, especially in Mexico City Drivers frequently disregard driving rules No rules for pedestrians (very important) Taxi cars (mostly green and white or yellow and white) are also available Rental cars are rarely needed car … Mexico has a widespread public transportation system subway Save & cheap option of transportation Clean and very widespread; almost covering the entire city Pick-pockets are common Not recommended at night (not the best area) buses Buses are divided by class: deluxe, first and second Inexpensive depending on class airplanes Conveniently located airports all around the country Mexico has developed two level highways

13. traditions bullfight An activity inherited by Mexico from Spain Large crowds in arenas Illegal cinco de mayo Victory of Mexico over France Celebrate victory with arts & crafts, and educating children about its significance Las posadas Nine days before Christmas Reenactment of Joseph and Mary’s search for shelter in Bethlehem Travel to a new house every night for the rest of the posada ano nuevo New Years Eat twelve grapes on the stroke of midnight Celebrate with fireworks and sparklers Huge festivities in Mexico City dia de reyes January 6 th (The Epiphany) Three Kings Day Children receive gifts Meal: bread in the shape of a wreath with a miniature baby Jesus figure inside (brings luck) pinata

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15. Works Cited Kirkwood, Burton. The History of Mexico . Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 2000. Print. PlanetWare Travel Guide - Hotels, Attractions, Pictures, Maps & More . Web. 1 Apr. 2010. <http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/mexico-mex.htm>. &quot;Mexico.&quot; Travel Information and Popular Attractions: TravelName.com . Web. 1 Apr. 2010. <http://www.travelname.com/Mexico>. http://www.mrfs.net/trips/2008/Southern_Arizona/Cochise_County/mexican_border.jpg http://susispice.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/mexico1.jpg http://countrystudies.us/mexico/geography.gif http://www.nevadaobserver.com/Archive/040501/Images/07.%20Puebla1862.jpg http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/faculty/hodgson/Courses/so191/Projects2007/Borello/October16/Mexican_Flag.jpg http://www.akumal-villas.com/styles/akumal-villas/deimages/services/pesos2.jpg http://wbcc-online.com/new-releases/CHILE%20100%20Pesos%202003%20Prova.jpg http://beaut.ie/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/gold-coins-images.jpeg http://cltad.arts.ac.uk/groups/camberwellmateriallibrary/wiki/f347a/images/5bd87.jpg http://sherpatrips.com/images/Mexphotos/IMG_8140bg.jpg http://www.rand.org/pubs/documented_briefings/2005/RAND_DB480.sum.pdf http://gallery.photo.net/photo/1908381-lg.jpg http://gbgm-umc.org/NWO/00ja/youth3.jpg http://www.mexicoallinclusivepackages.com/images/789_croy.jpg http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/uncyclopedia/images/4/4d/Taco.png http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2008/08/27/Cinco_Enchiladas_e_s4x3.jpg http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/5438703/2/istockphoto_5438703-tortilla-chips-and-mexican-salsa.jpg http://img4.sunset.com/i/2009/05/mexican-quesadilla-l.jpg http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_347/123027362867RHe3.jpg http://www.mccchurch.org/AM/Images//acapulco_princess.jpg http://cache.virtualtourist.com/2816536-Cathedral_Taxco-Taxco_de_Alarcon.jpg http://www.hotelcabo.com/Images/snorkel.jpg http://www.treehugger.com/metrobus-mexico.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/beetle-taxi.jpg

16. http://www.alcione.org/mexico9b.jpg http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/170/climate/North-America/Mexico.html http://blogs.courant.com/eric_danton_sound_check/burro_donkey_pinata.jpg http://www.nafta-mexico.org/sphp_pages/canada/exporta/txt/basic_facts_about_mexico.htm http://www.learner.org/jnorth/images/graphics/mexico/Angangueo017.jpg continued...