MEXICO - WEB SEARCH: RESULTS

 

  1. GEOGRAFIA
    1. Borders
      -North: US; West: Golfo de Mexico (Mar Caribe); South: Guatemala, Belice; East: Oceano Pacifico
    2. Features
      -High mountains, coastal plains, high plateaus, deserts
      -Yucatan peninsula: South-West, region of the Maya culture
      -Sierra Madre = main mountains range in the middle of the country
    3. Natural hazards
      -Volcanoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes
    4. Population
      -Population: 104, 907, 991
      -Ethnic component: Mestizo 80%; also white and black, and Amerindian
    5. Basic economic products
      -Oil, gas, gold and silver
      -Auto industry
      -Corn, wheat, rice, soy beans, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes, beef, poltery, dairy products, wood products, tobacco
    6. Government
      -Federal republic, democratic system, with a constitution
      -Capital: Ciudad de Mexico. Other cities: Cancun, Chihuahua, Oaxaca, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Veracruz y Puebla
    7. MAP:

 

  1. HISTORIA
    1. Early civilizations
      -There were ancient civilizations before columbus (already around 21000 years before the Spaniards):
      1. Aztecas -- in the center
      2. Mayas -- in the Yucatan Peninsula
      3. Zopotecas
      4. Olmecas
    2. Spanish conquista
      -When? 1519
      -Hernan Cortes conquered Mexico for Spain
      -The religios beliefs of the Aztecs helped Cortes: The Aztecs thoucht that he was a God coming form the East
    3. Independence
      -16 de septembre de 1821
      -Rebellion against Spain
      -National holiday: 16 de septiembre
    4. Mexican-American War
      -It took place from 1846 to 1848.
      -Consequences: US won Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico
    5. Mexican Revolution
      -Lasted for ten years: 1910-19
      -It's like Civil War: a popular up-raising, made by poor people against rich and the government, done with guerrilla tactics
      -Porfirio Diaz was the dictator in place
      -Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata were the revolutionary leaders
    6. Ejercito Zapatista de Liberacion Nacional
      -Illegal leftist revolutionary group that operates in Chipas - South Mexico
      -They support indigenous people, and try to defend their rights

 

Hernan Cortes llega a Mexico  

 

  1. LA CAPITAL
    1. Population
      -With a population of over 27 million
      -Ciudad de Mexico is the largest city in the world.
    2. Origins: Tenochtitlan
      -The city was built onthe XVI century on top of Tenochtitlan, the ancient Aztec capital, and is surrounded by volcanic mountains like the Popocatepetl or the Iztaccihuatl.
      -The city was built on a lake
    3. Teotihuacan
      - It was the ancient holy city of the Aztecs, close to Tenochtitlan, with Piramides (Piramide del Sol) y templos
    4. Monuments
      -El Zocalo - main town square
      -Catedral metropolitana -->

    Palacio Nacional
    -El Angel - monumento de la independencia

    E. Attractions
    -Chapultepec-el parque
    -Museo de Antropologia
    -Estadio Azteca
    -Paseo de la Reforma
    -Palacio de Bellas Artes
    -Plaza Universidad

 

  1. CULTURA
    1. Religion y Lengua
      -Catolicismo (90%), but with other pagan elements, from pre-Columbus religions
      -Spanish, and local languages, like nahuatl (=Aztec language)
    2. Names of three pre-Columbus cultures
      -Olmecas, Aztecas (1000-1500 A.D.), Mayas (2000 B.C.-50 A.D.) in Yucatan; Toltecas (c. 1000 A.D., in Central Mexico)
    3. Muralists
      -They were famous artists who made murals.
      -Diego Rivera (uno de los grandes artistas del siglo XX), David Alfaro Siqueiros y Jose Clemento Orozco
    4. Holidays
      -Mexico most important holidays and festivities are: Independence Day (September 16th), 5 de Mayo, Dia de los Muertos (1-2 Nov.), religious festivities (Holy Week, Christmas)
    5. Mexican cuisine
      Major specialities are: tortillas, chili beans, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, hot pepper sauce (tabasco)
    6. PICTURE: Piramide maya en Chichen-Itza (Yucatan)

 

  1. VOCABULARIO
    -Mestizo: A person of mixed White (European) and American Indian ancestry
    -Aztecas: Indian civilization of Mexico
    -Mayas: Indian civilization of Mexico
    -Zopotecas: Indian civilization of Mexico
    -Olmecas: Indian civilization of Mexico
    -guerrilla:Aan irregular military force that uses harassing tactics against an enemy army, usually with the support of the local population
    -nahuatl: Language of the Aztecs. Words in Spanish like tomate, patata, chocolate, etc. have Nahuatl origines
    -tabasco: Mexican strong-flavored sauce seasoned with red pepper
    -mural: A large picture or decoration applied directly to a wall or ceiling Mural on the wall of the Palacio Nacional (National Palace)
    -piramides y templos: Examples of ancient Mexican civilisations buildings ans architecture technics
    -Tenochtitlan: Ancient capital of the Aztecs

 

Back to Top