MEXICO L AT I N A M E R I C A
MAP Size: 758,400 mi² Three times the size of Texas Major Cities: Mexico City (Capital) Guadalajara León Surrounding Countries: United States to the north Belize and Guatemala to the south Pacific Ocean to the west Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to the east
FLAG Adopted: September 16, 1968 Meaning: Red, white, and green are the colors of the national liberation army in Mexico. The central emblem is the Mexican coat of arms, based on the Aztec symbol for Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City), the center of the Aztec empire. It recalls the legend of an eagle sitting on a cactus that signaled to the Aztecs where to found their city.
POPULATION AND CURRENCY Population: 122 million Currency: Peso Language: Majority of Mexicans today speak Spanish About 6 percent of the population speaks Spanish and indigenous languages, such as Mayan and other regional languages
POPULATION AND CURRENCY Ethnic/Racial: Mestizos (Spanish and Indian mix) Indigenous (56 different groups) Religion: 87.% Catholic 3.2% Protestant 3.1% "Nonreligious" Other
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE Two major mountain ranges: Sierra Madre Oriental on the east Sierra Madre Occidental on the west Between the mountain chains lies the great central highland plateau Land for grazing pork and beef variety of fresh cheeses Spices Mexico borders the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to the east Gulf: corn, vanilla, herbs, tropical/citrus fruits, lots of seafood Pacific: herbs, chili peppers, chocolate, grains, fruits/vegetables
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE Mexico has a wide range of natural environments Temperatures are generally mild year-round. Coastal plains and lower areas of southern Mexico are usually hot and humid Mexico City, the country's capital, and other inland areas are at higher elevations and are generally drier Lack of fertile soil not much grows here Import from other areas of Mexico Annual rainfall may exceed 200 inches in the more tropical zones of the coastal areas, while parts of Baja California (a long, narrow peninsula located just south of California) receive very little precipitation. Desertlike conditions exist in the north.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE Although only about one-fifth of the country remains covered with vegetation, much of the country's wildlife are still in existence. Some animals include rabbits, snakes, monkeys, jaguars, anteaters, deer, toucans, parrots, and some tropical reptiles, such as the mighty boa constrictor.
AGRICULTURE One-fourth of Mexicans earn their living from farming Mexico is self-sufficient (produce enough to support the country) in most fruits and vegetables and in beans, rice, and sugar The most profitable tropical crops are coffee and sugarcane.
AGRICULTURE Many people living in rural areas are poor, and are barely able to grow enough food to feed their own families. Mexico s main crops include grains such as corn and wheat, tropical fruits and various vegetables. Agricultural exports are important, especially coffee, tropical fruits and winter fruits and vegetables. Sixty percent of Mexico s agricultural exports go to the United States.
AGRICULTURE At the beginning of the 21st century Mexico s main agricultural products include beef, fruits, vegetables, corn, milk, poultry, pork and eggs, which make up about 80% of agricultural production Livestock accounts for thirty percent of Mexico s agricultural output, producing milk, poultry, eggs and beef. Mexico is not self-sufficient in the production of meat and fish, importing its remaining needs mainly from the United States.
CULTURE Before European influence Diet consisted mainly of corn, beans, peppers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, and herbs. Chocolate, native to Mexico, was considered a drink fit for royalty. Occasionally hunted wild turkey, rabbit, deer, and quail When the Spanish explorers landed in Mexico, they introduced livestock, including cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and chickens. On later journeys to this "New World," the Spanish brought plants from Asia, such as sugarcane and wheat.
CULTURE Mexico gained its independence, Spain had left its mark on its people and culture, including their cuisine. Forced to convert to Christianity. Christian holidays, including Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) and Navidad (Christmas), are celebrated with great enjoyment and family meals. Many festivities include native Indian traditions. During Semana Santa (Holy Week) leading up to Easter, meat is typically not consumed.
CULTURE Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on October 30 - Celebrate loved ones who have passed away by decorating and picnicing on the graves Rosca de Reyes (sweet bread) Empanadas (meat-filled turnovers) Tamales (steamed corn husks with various fillings, including shredded pork) Chicken or turkey with mole (pronounced MO-lay, it is a distinctive sauce combining chocolate, chilies, and spices) Pan de muertos (a sweet bread, baked in a ring and with a tiny plastic skeleton hidden inside) Calaveras de azucar (sugar candy skulls, bought at candy stores)
MEALTIME CUSTOMS Corn is the basis of the Mexican diet, as it has been for thousands of years. It can be found in almost every meal. In the form of the tortilla Corn can also be boiled to produce pozole, a hearty corn stew. Popular fruits and vegetables are tomatoes, tomatillos (green tomatoes), squash, sweet potato, avocado, mango, pineapple, papaya, and nopales (from the prickly pear cactus). Though beef is consumed, chicken and pork are more common. The variety of chilies includes the widely known jalapeño, as well as the poblano, serrano, and chipotle. Chilies give Mexican cooking a distinctive flavor Cheese and eggs round out the diet. Seafood is most common in coastal dishes.
MEALTIME CUSTOMS Though Mexican cuisine is a blend of indigenous (Indian) and Spanish influences, most Mexicans continue to eat more native foods, such as corn, beans, and peppers. Such foods are cheap and widely available. Bread and pastries are sold, but the tortilla, homemade or bought daily at the local tortillería (tortilla stand), is the basis of the typical meal. Flour tortillas are also eaten, especially in northern Mexico, but the corn variety is most popular.
MEALTIME CUSTOMS Mexican culinary norms vary widely based on income level and social class. Working-class Mexicans includes staples such as corn or wheat tortillas, along with beans, rice, tomatoes, chili peppers and chorizo, a type of pork sausage. Empanadas, which are handheld pasty pockets, can contain savory or sweet fillings. Upper-income Mexicans are more closely aligned with diets of Americans and Europeans and include a wide variety of food items prepared in wide range of culinary styles. Mexico is known for its tequila, which is made from agave cactus that is well suited to the climate of central Mexico.
MENU BREAKFAST A Mexican desayuno (breakfast) usually includes coffee and pan dulce (sweet rolls) Eggs are also eaten on occasion Huevos rancheros, served with tortillas and beans, is also a popular breakfast dish Mexicans generally have a light breakfast of coffee and/or fruit before they leave for work or school
MENU - LUNCH Comida (lunch), the main meal of the day Eaten between 1 and 3 P.M. May consist of soup, a meat dish, rice, tortillas, coffee, and dessert. Torta (a sandwich of cheese, avocado, and sausage, or chicken on a bread roll) Quesadilla (a folded flour tortilla filled with melted cheese). Street vendors sell slices of pineapple, jicama (a sweet root vegetable) with a wedge of lime, and elotes (steamed corn on the cob served with butter and shredded cheese)
MENU SNACKS Snacks are eaten at any time of the day. An antojito (snack) might be a beefsteak taco, a tostada (a fried, flat tortilla, often topped with chopped tomatoes, onion, lettuce, and cilantro), or a sope (a lightly grilled corn dough, often served with salsa or beans). Ice cream and fruit ices are popular as well.
MENU BEVERAGES American soft drinks, such as Coca-Cola, have become popular in Mexico in recent decades Fruit-flavored soda drinks are also widely consumed, as are fresh fruit juices, available from street vendors. Sangría, an import from Spain, and beer ( cerveza ) are also popular beverages. Coffee is normally served spiced and sweet ( café de olla ). Mexicans drink huge quantities of soft drinks and beer. Although the national liquor is tequila, which is produced from the maguey cactus
SOURCES http://www.foodbycountry.com/kazakhstan-to-south-africa/mexico.html http://www.livescience.com/38647-mexican-culture.html http://www.everyculture.com/ma-ni/mexico.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/flag_of_mexico http://www.facts-about-mexico.com/mexican-religion.html http://www.questconnect.org/mexico_cc_ethnic.htm https://www.picos.net/the-seven-regions-of-mexican-cuisine/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/agriculture_in_mexico