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OLogy Cards > Mexico

OLOGY CARD 224
Series: Place

Mexico

Mexico is the home of ancient cultures like the Maya and Aztecs. Today, Mexican culture is a blend of old and new. Descendents of native cultures still live in Mexico and carry on many century-old traditions. Native traditions are reflected in Mexican arts and crafts, as well as in colorful religious festivals. In other ways, Mexico is very modern, with its factories, busy international trade, and large urban areas.

Population: 105 million
Size: 756,061 square miles
Capital and largest city: Mexico City
Geography: tropical rain forest, plateaus, mountains, desert
Primary language: Spanish, with many native dialects such as Nahuatl, Zapotec, and Maya still spoken.
Cool fact: Mexico City is the third largest city in the world (behind Tokyo and New York City).

Charros are Mexican:

desserts

cowboys

houses

Correct!

Charros are Mexican cowboys or horsemen. Boys train at a very young age to compete in charreadas, or Mexican rodeos. Charros perform special tricks with horses like roping and bronco riding.

The Mexican holiday called the "Day of the Dead" celebrates:

ghosts

dead relatives

mummies

Correct!

Today, Mexican families honor their dead relatives by setting up alters in their homes that hold pictures of loved ones. They also decorate graveyards with beautiful flowers, and hold feasts and vigils there with friends and family.

Air pollution is a big problem in Mexico City.

Fact
OR
Fiction
?

Fact

With over 16 million people, factory emissions and car exhaust greatly contribute to Mexico's pollution problem. People living in Mexico City often suffer from breathing problems.

“

Mexico is a great place to work. The archaeology is fascinating, the food is excellent, and the people are always hospitable.

„
head shot of Christina Elson

Christina Elson, archaeologist

Image credits: courtesy of AMNH;  .

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