México México

• The United Mexican States commonly known as Mexico, is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico.

• Covering almost 2 million square kilometres• Mexico is the fifth-largest country in the Americas by

total area and the 14th largest independent nation in the world. With an estimated population of 111 million,

• Mexico is a federation comprising thirty-one states and a Federal District, the capital city.

Monterrey City• Is the capital city of the northeastern Mexican state of

Nuevo León.• It has the third largest metropolitan area in Mexico, after

Mexico City and Guadalajara.• In 2009, the city population was estimated to be

2,056,538 and its metropolitan area had a population of 5.1 million

• Founded: 20 september 1596

Cerro de la Silla

Politics • The United Mexican States are a

federation whose government is representative, democratic and republican based on a presidential system according to the 1917 Constitution. The constitution establishes three levels of government: the federal Union, the state governments and the municipal governments. All officials at the three levels are elected by voters through first-past-the-post plurality, proportional representation or are appointed by other elected officials.

• President: Felipe Calderón

Economy • The economy of Mexico is the

11th largest in the world. • Mexican peso MXN $ has

historically been a relatively unstable currency, it has in recent years became a secure stable currency and has maintained a low inflation rate.

• Trade organisations: APEC, CARICOM, NAFTA, OECD AND WTO

Music• Mexican society enjoys a vast

array of music genres, showing the diversity of Mexican culture. Traditional music includes Mariachi, Banda, Norteño, Ranchera and Corridos; on an every-day basis most Mexicans listen to contemporary music such as pop, rock, etc. in both English and Spanish.

• Mexico has the largest media industry in Latin America, producing Mexican artists who are famous in Central and South America and parts of Europe, especially Spain.

Traditional cuisine

• Mexican food varies by region. The north of Mexico is known for its beef, goat and ostrich production and meat dishes, in particular the well-known Arrachera cut.

• Central Mexico's cuisine is largely made up of influences from the rest of the country, but also has its authentics, such as barbacoa, pozole, menudo, tamales, and carnitas.

• Southeastern Mexico, on the other hand, is known for its spicy vegetable and chicken-based dishes. The cuisine of Southeastern Mexico also has quite a bit of Caribbean influence, given its geographical location.

Tourism

• According to the World Tourism Organization, Mexico has one of the largest tourism industries in the world. In 2005 it was the seventh most popular. The most notable tourist draws are the ancient Mesoamerican ruins, and popular beach resorts. The coastal climate and unique culture – a fusion of European (particularly Spanish) and Mesoamerican cultures; also make Mexico attractive.

• The peak tourist seasons in Mexico are during December and during July and August, with brief surges during the week before Easter and during spring break at many of the beach resort sites which are popular among vacationing college students from the United States.

• Mexico is the twenty-third highest tourism spender in the world, and the highest in Latin America.

Castillo de Kukulkan, Chichen Itzá, YucatánCastillo de Kukulkan, Chichen Itzá, Yucatán

El Arco, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur El Arco, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

El Castillo, Tulum, Quintana Roo El Castillo, Tulum, Quintana Roo

Puerto de Veracruz Puerto de Veracruz

Playas de Cancún, Quintana Roo Playas de Cancún, Quintana Roo

Desierto de DurangoDesierto de Durango

La Quebrada, Acapulco, GuerreroLa Quebrada, Acapulco, Guerrero

Pico de Orizaba, Veracruz

San Cristóbal de las Casas, ChiapasSan Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas

Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo, QuerétaroTemplo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo, Querétaro

Naolinco, Veracruz Naolinco, Veracruz

Monte Albán, Oaxaca Monte Albán, Oaxaca

Universidad y Catedral, Guanajuato Universidad y Catedral, Guanajuato

Chichen Itzá, YucatánChichen Itzá, Yucatán

Concheros Party, QuerétaroConcheros Party, Querétaro

Ixtapa, Guerrero Ixtapa, Guerrero

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Mazatlán, Sinaloa Mazatlán, Sinaloa

Cancún Cancún

Xel-Ha, Cancún, Quintana Roo Xel-Ha, Cancún, Quintana Roo

23 Bull Fighter

Corrida de Toros, spanish heritage Corrida de Toros, spanish heritage

JaliscoJalisco

Santa Prisca Temple, Taxco, Guerrero Santa Prisca Temple, Taxco, Guerrero

Our Culture – mayan craftsOur Culture – mayan crafts

Isla de Janitzio and lago de Pátzcuaro, MichoacánIsla de Janitzio and lago de Pátzcuaro, Michoacán

Independence angel, Ciudad de MéxicoIndependence angel, Ciudad de México

VIVA MEXICO!