Mexico CityMexico City

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HistoryHistory MexicoMexico is a country in North America and the largest is a country in North America and the largest SpanishSpanish-speaking country in the -speaking country in the

world. It also has the largest number of world. It also has the largest number of Native AmericanNative American language speakers on the language speakers on the continent (the majority speaking continent (the majority speaking NahuatlNahuatl, , MayanMayan, , MixtecMixtec and and ZapotecZapotec).).

For thousands of years, what is now known as Mexico was a land of hunter-gatherers. For thousands of years, what is now known as Mexico was a land of hunter-gatherers. Around 9,000 years ago, ancient Amerindians domesticated Around 9,000 years ago, ancient Amerindians domesticated corncorn and initiated an and initiated an agricultural revolution, leading to the formation of many complex agricultural revolution, leading to the formation of many complex civilizationscivilizations. These . These civilizations revolved around civilizations revolved around citiescities with writing, monumental architecture, astronomical with writing, monumental architecture, astronomical studies, mathematics and studies, mathematics and militariesmilitaries..

After 4,000 years these civilizations were destroyed with the arrival of the After 4,000 years these civilizations were destroyed with the arrival of the SpaniardsSpaniards in in 1519. For three centuries, Mexico was colonized by 1519. For three centuries, Mexico was colonized by SpainSpain, during which time the majority , during which time the majority of its indigenous population died off. Formal independence from Spain was recognized in of its indigenous population died off. Formal independence from Spain was recognized in 1821. A war with the 1821. A war with the United StatesUnited States (U.S) ended with Mexico losing almost half of its (U.S) ended with Mexico losing almost half of its territory in 1848. territory in 1848. FranceFrance then invaded Mexico in 1861 and ruled briefly until 1867. The then invaded Mexico in 1861 and ruled briefly until 1867. The Mexican RevolutionMexican Revolution would later result in the death of 10 percent of the nation's would later result in the death of 10 percent of the nation's population.population.

Since then, Mexico as a Since then, Mexico as a nation-statenation-state has struggled with reconciling its deeply-entrenched has struggled with reconciling its deeply-entrenched indigenous heritage with the demands of the modern indigenous heritage with the demands of the modern WesternWestern cultural model imposed in cultural model imposed in 1519. The nation's name is derived from the 1519. The nation's name is derived from the AztecAztec's capital called 's capital called Mexico-TenochtitlanMexico-Tenochtitlan..

Today, Mexico is home to the largest number of Today, Mexico is home to the largest number of SpanishSpanish-speakers in the world, and also -speakers in the world, and also has the largest number of has the largest number of Native AmericanNative American-language-speakers in the -language-speakers in the AmericasAmericas (the (the majority speaking majority speaking NahuatlNahuatl, , MayanMayan, , MixtecMixtec and and ZapotecZapotec).).

Important factsImportant facts The official name of Mexico is Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United The official name of Mexico is Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United

Mexican States).d Mexican States).d A Mexican tamale called theA Mexican tamale called the zacahuil zacahuil is three feet long and weighs is three feet long and weighs

about 150 pounds.c about 150 pounds.c Mexico introduced chocolate, corn, and chilies to the world.f Mexico introduced chocolate, corn, and chilies to the world.f Mexico is home to a very rare rabbit called the volcano rabbit which Mexico is home to a very rare rabbit called the volcano rabbit which

lives near Mexican volcanoes.c lives near Mexican volcanoes.c The largest wildcat in North America is the jaguar, which can be found The largest wildcat in North America is the jaguar, which can be found

in Mexico's southern jungles.c in Mexico's southern jungles.c The first printing press in North America was used in Mexico City in The first printing press in North America was used in Mexico City in

1539.c 1539.c The National University of Mexico was founded in 1551 by Charles V The National University of Mexico was founded in 1551 by Charles V

of Spain and is the oldest university in North America'sof Spain and is the oldest university in North America's

BackgroundBackground History and Meaning of the Mexican FlagHistory and Meaning of the Mexican Flag Mexico's flag as it is today was adopted in 1968, though Mexico's flag as it is today was adopted in 1968, though

a very similar flag had been in use since 1821. Originally a very similar flag had been in use since 1821. Originally the green represented independence, white represented the green represented independence, white represented religion and red the union of Americans and Europeans, religion and red the union of Americans and Europeans, but during the secularization of the country under but during the secularization of the country under President President Benito JuarezBenito Juarez (president of Mexico from 1858 (president of Mexico from 1858 to 1872) the meanings of the colors were adapted to to 1872) the meanings of the colors were adapted to represent hope (green), unity (white) and the blood of represent hope (green), unity (white) and the blood of the national heroes (red). the national heroes (red).

The Mexican Coat of ArmsThe Mexican Coat of Arms The The Mexican Coat of ArmsMexican Coat of Arms is taken from an Aztec is taken from an Aztec

legend which recounts the way in which the Aztecs came legend which recounts the way in which the Aztecs came to choose the site where they built their capital city of to choose the site where they built their capital city of Tenochtitlan (where Mexico City stands today). The Tenochtitlan (where Mexico City stands today). The Aztecs, also known as the Mexica ("meh-shee-ka"), were Aztecs, also known as the Mexica ("meh-shee-ka"), were a nomadic people traveling from the north of the country. a nomadic people traveling from the north of the country. Their leader was informed in a dream by the god of war, Their leader was informed in a dream by the god of war, Huitzilopochtli, that they were to settle in the place where Huitzilopochtli, that they were to settle in the place where they would find an eagle on a prickly pear cactus holding they would find an eagle on a prickly pear cactus holding a serpent. The place where they saw this sight was quite a serpent. The place where they saw this sight was quite inhospitable - a swampy area in the center of three inhospitable - a swampy area in the center of three lakes, but this is where they settled and built the great lakes, but this is where they settled and built the great city of Tenochtitlan. city of Tenochtitlan.

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Mexico city is one of the lagers cities in the Mexico city is one of the lagers cities in the world and is also one of the larger Spanish world and is also one of the larger Spanish speaking country.speaking country.

ReferenceReference

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