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

TheTropic of Cancereffectively divides the country into temperate and tropical zones

Temperatures are fairly constant year round

Mexico has wet and dryseasons

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 thCentury: 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 (presidents 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 billionDebt: 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 19), upper secondaryeducation (grades 1012), 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;extendedfamily 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

CatedralMetropolitana

Palacio de BellasArtes

Xochimilco

PalacioNacional

Palacio Nacional acapulco

Water Sports

Golf & Tennis

More reasonable ($) than Cancun

Taxcode Alarcn

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 Marys 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 14. glogster Glogsterhere 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. .

"Mexico." Travel Information and Popular Attractions: TravelName.com . Web. 1 Apr. 2010. .

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16.

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