México: The Basics

By Ekaterina Zhdanova-Redman
Mexico is situated in the Northern American continent, sharing its northern border
with the United States. It is bounded on the west and south by the Pacific Ocean, to the
east by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and on the southeast by Guatemala
and Belize. The official name of Mexico is the United Mexican States, and its capital is
Mexico City.
In the middle of the 20th century, scientists discovered several ancient cities, located
in the jungles of Mexico. The world was amazed with what they had found: gigantic
pyramids with stairs to their tops, monumental palaces, and cathedrals full of
sophisticated art, showing unknown civilizations and their gods.
Those cities are locations of ancient Mexico's civilizations of the Olmec, Maya, and
Aztec. These sites of ancient culture, along with beautiful Caribbean nature, attract lots
of tourists to Mexico. In fact, tourism is one of the dominant industries in the country.
Mexico has a very hot and humid climate and lots of mineral resources. But the
amount of land that can be used for agriculture is very limited. That, with a rapidly
growing population, is one of the Mexico's main concerns; farmers try to cultivate all
available land.
Agriculture has a very important role in Mexico's history. The development of ancient
civilizations of Maya and Aztec were based on agricultural achievements. Even the
modern Maya are basically agricultural, raising corn, beans, and squash.
For a long period of time Mexico was thought to be a country of slow-paced life and
farmers. But it is, in fact, not true in modern Mexico. More then two-thirds of Mexicans
now live in cities, and in population, Mexico City is the largest city in the world.
Despite the growing population of Mexican cities, many of its citizens, especially in
isolated rural areas, live a very traditional life. Small communal villages remain, where
Indian peasants live
much like their
ancestors lived. Much
of Hispanic colonial
architecture still
stands in Mexican
towns. Mexican folk
arts and crafts are
recognized all over the
world.
That combination
of urban life and
traditional culture
gives Mexico its unique
character.
Copyright © 2005 edHelper

Nombre ________________________ País _______

Español I – Profe Clark
El 27 de octubre
México: Country Profile
1. Mexico is in: 2. Mexico shares a border with the United States.
Africa True
North America False
South America
None of the above
3. The capital of Mexico is: 4. Mexico has unlimited agricultural resources.
Mexico City True
Caracas False
Santiago
San Paulo
5. Where does the majority of the Mexican 6. The Olmec, Maya, and Aztec are:
population live? Countries in Central America
In the cities Names of ancient gods
In the villages Ancient civilizations of Central America
It is impossible to tell Ancient cities in Mexico
7. The development of ancient Mexican civilizations 8. In population, Mexico City is:
was based on: The largest city in the world
Spanish occupation The third largest city in the world
War defeats The second largest city in the world
Trade
Agricultural achievements

Cultural Comparison:
Write a BCR on the cultural similarities and differences you have found between life in the United States and
life in Mexico.