Mexico has to be one of my favourite countries, and how can you not love the country that has given the world enchiladas, tequila, and more sun-drenched beaches than you can count? There’s plenty we know and love about this fun and friendly nation – but there’s probably a few things you hadn’t realised too. Here are 10 weird and quite interesting facts about Mexico.
FACTS ABOUT MEXICO #1: THE MEXICAN FLAG
The tricolour stripes of the Mexican flag are intended to represent the embodiment of the values of the Mexican nation. The green stripe signifies hope, the white the purity and the red the blood of the nation’s heroes. The coat of arms in the centre of the flag depicts an eagle and a snake from an old Aztec legend. In the legend, the Aztecs were told to build a city where they found an eagle on a nopal (a prickly pear cactus) eating a snake. This is now the site of Mexico City.
Photo: Jesurun Luna
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FACTS ABOUT MEXICO #2: THE HABANERO CHILLI PEPPER
This native Mexican pepper is one of the hottest in the world. It’s grown in the Yucatán Peninsula, and can pack a punch of 350,000 scovilles. In contrast, a pimento delivers a puny 350 scovilles.
FACTS ABOUT MEXICO #3: VOLCANOES
Speaking of hot, Mexico is situated in one of the most volcanically active regions on the planet, named the ‘Ring of Fire’. The area contains 75% of the world’s active volcanoes, and also…
FACTS ABOUT MEXICO #4: THE VOLCANO RABBIT
This adorable and extremely rare creature resides in the mountains of Mexico. Weighing in at only 400 grams, it is second only to the pygmy rabbit in its diminutive size. Sadly, its future is in doubt due to habitat encroachment by humans.
FACTS ABOUT MEXICO #5: THE CHIHUAHUA
Mexico also boasts the world’s smallest dog breed, the Chihuahua. Its origins are lost in the mists of time, but its short hair and small body are perfectly adapted for Mexico’s hot and dry climate.
Photo: nathanmac87
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FACTS ABOUT MEXICO #6: BULL FIGHTING
Spanish conquerors introduced bullfighting to Mexico, and it has grown to become the nation’s favourite sport. The bull fighting season is from November to April and Mexico City houses the world’s largest bull ring, the Plaza Mexico.
FACTS ABOUT MEXICO #7: MEXICAN DIVERSITY
Mexico is a huge nation of over 100 million people, who come from a wide range of backgrounds. The cultural diversity across the nation is incredible, with over 10% of the population made up from indigenous people. The nation itself is a federation built from 31 free and sovereign states. The nation boasts 26 UNESCO world heritage sites, ensuring that in Latin America, Mexico is the place to go for some serious culture.
FACTS ABOUT MEXICO #8: MEXICO CITY IS SINKING
The arrival of the Spanish conquerors in 1512 heralded the destruction of the ancient city of Tenochtitlan and the construction of what has now become the country’s capital. Unfortunately, it is built upon a lake, and this has resulted in Mexico City sinking by 10 inches every year. During the 20th century, Mexico City sank by more than nine metres. This plays havoc with the city’s subterranean infrastructure, and the future of its 9 million inhabitants hangs in the air.
FACTS ABOUT MEXICO #9: NO PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Mexican children have to wait until January 6 for their Christmas presents; this date marks the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus in the biblical tale.
FACTS ABOUT MEXICO #10: MEXICO GAVE THE WORLD HOT CHOCOLATE
This delightful beverage was the sacred drink of the Aztecs. Nowadays, Mexican-style hot chocolate often incorporates another national export – ground chilli pepper.
Photo: Fleur-Ange Lamothe
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Mexico’s size ensures a never-ending cornucopia of delights for those who are interested. Whether you’re into food, architecture, music or culture, its rich history has created a unique nation, the appeal of which lies in the diversity and spirit of its people. Viva la México!
FURTHER READING
Find out which are the best ruins in Mexico, things to do in Mexico City, and whether Isla Mujeres or Holbox is the best place to swim with whale sharks. If you get a taste for the underwater environment help save the cenotes (one of the best dive sites in Central America) by going cenote diving in Mexico and sharing the tale of their destruction.
Inland, join one of the Oaxaca tours, explore San Cristobal (one of the best colonial cities in Latin America) and marvel at the incredible waterfalls on the road from San Cristobal to Palenque. And, if you’re heading onwards to Belize, chill out at the beautiful and serene Laguna Bacalar.
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I’ve recently started using HotelsCombined to search for accommodation as I travel. It’s become one of my favourite tools because it aggregates the results of online searches from over 40 travel sites to bring you the best deals much faster than if you had to look them up to compare them separately.
Interesting facts…
Muza-chan recently posted..Kamakura Daibutsu
Thanks! :)
I had no idea the volcano rabbit existed. What fun! Have you ever tried hot chocolate with chili pepper? I wonder if it is good?
Jessica recently posted..Close Encounters of the Furry Kind~A Bear Tale
I actually haven’t. I’m not that big a fan of spice. I’ve tried chili chocolate bar and I’d prefer it without the chili! ;)
Sinking… WOW, that’s an interesting point to make a note of, I’d better get back there soon, lol, well within the next 50 years or so.
My wife Monika loves chilli in her hot chocolate, you can also buy bars in Australia of chilli flavoured chocolate. I used to bake a chilli chocolate tart which was a hit with customers.
John recently posted..How to Buy The Cheapest Train Tickets For Europe Travel 2015
Ohhh. That tart sounds delicious! I feel like I missed out not trying the chili hot chocolate, but I never feel like a hot drink in such a hot climate!
Amen to enchiladas, Arianwen! I’ve been to Ensenada (avoid it!), Nogales, Mexico City (awesome) and Cancun. I was blown away flying into Mexico City (way back when) as it went on forever like Los Angeles! If you ever get a chance do a You Tube search for the Taco Bell Chihuahua dog. I hope you are doing great! :)
Mike recently posted..Bottega Italiana In Seattle, Washington – My First Gelato
Haha. They are good aren’t they?! I just looked up the advert for Taco Bell. The dog is adorable!
Hola Arianwen,
I am glad to see that you liked my country ! I’ll just like to contribute with my local knowledge on a couple of facts:
+ While bull fighting is popular, by far the most popular and favorite sport in the country is football (or soccer for the Americans). Charreria (tricks with the horses) is considered to be the national sport.
+ Many kids in Mexico do receive their presents on Xmas! The capital and more traditional parts of the country (where most probably you were visiting) adhere mostly to the 3 wise kings, but Santa is preferred in the rest of the country. Actually sometimes it is a little bit of debate within the country, and some kids get asked whether they get gifts from Santa or the 3 Wise Men.
Anyway, I am happy to see that you picked up some good peculiar stuff from Mexico that usually doesn’t make it into the international media.
Cheers!
Hi Agustin. Thanks for your comments. It’s really interesting to hear from someone who’s lived there. I like that some kids get a choice of who brings their presents! I wonder who’s most popular…!
HI, I am a little late, the last post was two years ago, but anyway. :) The three wise kings are popular in the southern part of the country, particularly Mexico City. The rest of the Mexican kids, I can say with a lot of certainty, get their gifts on Xmas Day, but NOT from Santa, but from the “Niño Dios” (the “Baby God”, literally). A kid who mentioned Santa as the bringer of presents would be frowned upon. Although Santa is well-known in Mexico, no kid asks: “What did Santa bring you?” but “What did the Baby God bring you?”. Finally, most of the younger kids expect a smaller present on January 6, from the 3 Wise Kings, as a consolation after the Xmas excitement is over. Me: Born and raised in Mexico.
Im mexican and we actually do recieve presents on Christmas day, i dont know why people made that up
hahahaha yeah i loves eating dogs