Introduction
As a federal constitutional republic of North America, Mexico lies south of the United States, northeast of the Pacific Ocean, southwest of Guatemala, Belize and the Caribbean Sea and west of the Gulf of Mexico. Mexico is the fifth largest country in the Americas and boast with an estimated population of 111 million.
Mexico hosted civilizations such as the Olmec, Teotihuacan, Maya, Zapotec, Mixtec, Toltec and the Aztec before it was invaded by the Spaniards in the 16th century by Hernán Cortéz. In 1821 it was recognised as an independent country and changed its name from New Spain to Mexico.
Tourism
What to See
- The Guadalajara Cathedral
- Palace of Fine Arts
- Monterey Museum of Contemporary Art
- Meso-American Ruins
- Pyramid of the Sun
- Pyramid of the Moon
- La Zona Rosa (Shopping District)
- El Zócalo
- Mexican National Palace
- Metropolitan Cathedral
- Degollado Theatre
- Hospicio Cabañas
- Palacio de Gobierno
- Huentitan Canyon
- Chapultepec Castle
Events
- Independence from Spain – 16 September
- Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Guadalupe Day) – 12 December
- Las Posadas (The Shelters) – 16 December to 24 December
- Noche Buena (Holy Night) – 24 December
- Navidad (Christmas) – 25 December
- Año Nuevo (New Years Day) – 1 January
- Day of the Dead Festival
- Guadalajara International Book Fair
General Information
Mexico has the most extensive paved-roadway network in Latin America and mainly consists of multi-lane freeways or expressways most of which are tollways. Due the crossing of high-altitude ranges of mountains as well as economic challenges, Mexico can still not meet national needs adequately. Mexico also boast with railway networks and a high-speed rail link, which will travel at a speed of 300 km per hour, is currently under construction which will transport passengers from Mexico City to Guadalajara, Jalisco with stops in Querétaro, Guanajuato, Leon and Irapuato. Domestic transport are made available by an extensive bus network and is operated by several companies operating by regions.
Although Mexico has no de jure constitutional official language, Spanish is the main language, spoken by 97% of the population.
Weather
Due to the Tropic of Cancer, Mexico is divided into temperate and tropical zones. Temperatures south of the twenty-four parallel are fairly constant and have a yearly median temperature between 24°C to 28°C (75,2°F to 82,4°F). Temperatures differs only a 5°C (9°F) between winter and summer. Hurricanes are very common during summer and fall on both Mexican Coasts except for the south coast of the Bay of Campeche and northern Baja.
Areas north of the twenty-four parallel are hot and humid during the summer but generally colder (from 20°C to 24°C or 68°F to 75,2°F) during the winter. Large cities in Mexico are mainly located in the Valley of Mexico or adjacent valleys, which leads to a yearly temperature average of 16°C to 18°C (60°F to 64,4°F) and cooler nighttime temperatures. Cities in the north experience temperatures of 40°C (104°F) or more in summer wile the Sonoran Desert can reach easily 50°C (122°F) or more.
Currency
Mexico's currency is the Mexican Peso. Historically the Peso has been an unstable currency but in recent years became a secure stable currency and has maintained a low inflation rate, which led to prominency on international level.


