Mexico is the third biggest country in terms of size and the biggest Latin country on the continent of South America. In fact, Mexico is the country with the most Spanish speakers in the world, with more Spanish speakers than Spain where the language originated. It is a beautifully diverse country that is home to archaeological sites from many different ancient cultures as well as being blessed by multiple climates. In this article, we are going to be telling you what do travelers need to know about Mexico?
Different Climates and Environments to Explore.
Mexico is very diverse, there are deserts, jungles and also the most pristine beaches that you can find if you for example travel to Cancun. In total the country of Mexico is around one-fifth the size of Europe, so when you take that into account it is not surprising how diverse this country is.
Generally, the southern regions of Mexico tend to be the ones where you can find the jungles and the environments with larger levels of vegetation. While in the northern regions is where the deserts and canyons are that Border States of the USA such as Texas and Nevada that are themselves iconic for their desert environments.
Quick History Briefing.
Mexico is a fairly new country, however, it has been inhabited by advanced civilizations for thousands of years such as the Mayans and the Aztecs that were home to millions of people and constructed elaborate structures to worship their gods and to provide for efficient agriculture. The Spanish conquered the region that we now call Mexico in 1521, with the region being named after the city of Mexico that was taken over by the Spanish from the Aztecs.
Finally, in 1811, Mexico became an independent country following a revolutionary war that lasted over 11 years. Since then the country has transformed itself into one of the most important economies in the world and a thriving industrial powerhouse.
Perfect for Animal Lovers.
The country is home to many amazing animals including jaguars, ocelot, and wolves that live in jungles and rainforests such as the Lacandon Jungle that is located primarily in the Mexican state of Chiapas and also the country of Honduras. There are also water-based creatures such as sea turtles, gray whales, and coral snakes.
There are also many animals found just in Mexico such as the Xoloitzcuintle which is a special hairless dog breed that was bred and kept by tribes such as the Mayans in what is now Mexico. Some tribes also sacrificed these dogs in order to get favor from their gods. You also have the Mexican Wolves who are known in Spanish as the ‘Lobo' who are a subspecies of the gray wolf that is found in northern Mexico and also in the states of Nevada and Texas in the United States.
Mexico City Is the Center of the Country.
If you are going to be visiting the country of Mexico then it is a good idea to dedicate a few days of your trip to Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. It is the most populated city in the country and according to historical records; this has been the case for hundreds of years. Mexico City is in fact the oldest city in all of North America to still be in existence. It was officially made into a settlement by the Spanish in 1521 who chose it due to the city's central location in the region and the existing settlements in the area.
Mexicans Are Passionate About Their Food.
Food is an important part of every Mexican's life, Mexican food is enjoyed all around the world so it is no surprise that we have to talk about this in our what do travelers need to know about Mexico article. After all food such as guacamole, chili con carne and burritos hail from the country of Mexico. Yes you may have eaten Mexican food at your local restaurant or takeaway and you may have been good at cooking Mexican food yourself at home, but none of this can be compared to real Mexican cuisine that is cooked by the locals.
Moreover, by trying out the food yourself you are able to try the more peculiar and rare cuisines that you are not able to try at your local Mexican restaurant in your city. For example, if you travel to Cancun you can try dishes such as ‘Camarones al Mojo de Ajo' which is shrimp cooked in butter along with garlic and coriander. Furthermore, you can try Ceviche Colima which is white fish served with lemon and salad.
Home to the World's Smallest Volcano.
Another interesting fact that you should know about Mexico, is that the country is home to the world's smallest volcano known as the Cuexcomate that is just 8 meters wide and only 17 meters deep. It is believed by scientists and also according to local historical accounts from the 11th century that Cuexcomate was formed followed by an eruption by a much larger volcano in the area called Popocatepetl.
It is a novelty tourist destination that is visited by tens of thousands of people every year from the nearby cities of Puebla and Mexico City for example. You can learn more about such interesting tourist destinations on the LeoSystem.travel travel portal.
Many World Heritage Sites.
A lot of readers may be surprised by this, but Mexico is the country in the Americas to have the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a total of 35 as of writing this article. Making Mexico ranked sixth in the world in terms of the number of heritage sites within the country. These heritage sites include cultural sites from the pre-colonial era such as Casas Grandes and Xochicalco. Therefore, if you visit Mexico without a doubt you will not run out of interesting places to visit.
No Gifts on Christmas.
In Mexico there is also the unique tradition of not giving each other gifts on Christmas Day instead presents are exchanged on the 6th of July because this is when according to the Christian Catholic faith the three wise men arrived to meet Jesus soon after he was born. It is not a big deal for the majority of customers, but it is worth knowing if you are planning to visit this beautiful country during their festive season of December and January. Now you have no excuse not to give the friends you will make during your trip to Mexico a present on the 6th of January.
There Are Pyramids in Mexico.
Pyramids are a structure that is usually linked with Ancient Egypt, but many people do not actually know this but the biggest pyramid in terms of total size and volume is located within the borders of Mexico. This pyramid is called the ‘Great Pyramid of Cholula', this pyramid is located in the state of Puebla near Mexico City and is believed to have been originally constructed Toltec-Chichimecas people. Although it was under continuous construction and development from between the 3rd century BC all the way to the 9th century A.D.
Today only the base levels remain of this great pyramid along with other complexes and buildings that have been built to accompany this great structure.
More Than Enough Museums.
So what do travelers need to know about Mexico, well this mesmerizing country is home to hundreds of museums with the capital Mexico City alone being home to over 150 museums. It is believed that Mexico City is ranked second in the world as the city with the most museums after the City of London.
As you can see Mexico has a lot to offer, with something suitable for every kind of person regardless of what their interests and passions happen to be. It is an influential and wonderful country that everyone should visit at least once in their life.
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