.....  Mexico is the southernmost country of North America. It is located just south of the United States. The people of Mexico speak Spanish. Mexico is the only Latin country in North America. The capital of Mexico is Mexico City. The largest cities of Mexico are Mexico City, Guadalajara, Ecatepec, Puebla, and Netzahualcoyoti.
     Mexico has a long history. Centuries ago, the Indians of Mexico built large cities, developed a calendar, invented a counting system, and used a form of writing. Mexico had many different Indian tribes like the Olmecs, Zapotecs, Maya, and Aztecs. The Olmecs were the first great civilization established in Mexico. They made many cities in Mexico. The Olmecs traded many goods with other native people. The Zapotec built large cities during the time they were in Mexico. They scattered around what is now southern Mexico. The Mayans were very successful. The Mayan were  scattered around southern  and central Mexico. The Mayan declined around 900 A.D as the Aztec civilization got more competitive. The Aztecs were very strong and powerful.     The last Indian empire were the Aztecs, who were conquered by the Spanish conquistadors in 1521.  For the next 300 years, Mexico was a Spanish colony.  In 1810, the Mexicans rose up against their leaders. The leader of the revolution was a priest named Hidalgo. In 1821 the revolution was over and the Mexico
won its independence from Spain in 1821.
     The Mexican flag was adopted in 1821. The green stripe stands for independence white for religion and the red for union. The government in Mexico is a Federal republic.  The president is elected to  a six-year term. The are two house of Congress – a 128 member Senate and 500 member Chamber of Deputies. There are 31 states and 1 federal district.  The money of Mexico is called the peso.       
   The current population of Mexico is 110,915,00.2000. More than 85% percent of the Mexican people are Roman Catholic. Thousands of years ago, the Indians of Mexico discovered how to grow corn (maize). Today, corn is still the chief food of most Mexicans, especially in the country areas.  The main corn meal food is the tortilla. It is eaten with tacos, enchiladas, or tostadas. Many Mexicans eat beans (frijoles).  Foods are highly seasoned with hot chili pepper and other strong peppers.
   Soccer is the most popular sport in Mexico, along with baseball. They also enjoy watching bullfights.  Holidays are celebrated with colorful fiestas.
 .. Chichen Itza, the most powerful city of the Mayan Indians between 900 Ad and 1200 AD. is now a huge tourist attraction. It was voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007!

Click on your tour guide below to learn more about Chichen Itza.