Mexico
Mexico is Mexico! It is the essence of Latin America with a rich and colourful history of Aztecs, Mayans and Olmecs, of explorers and conquerors, of bandidos and revolutionaries, of artists and soulful musicians. Its landscape is an artists dream – adobe houses in arid deserts, Mayan ruins peeking through lush jungles or overlooking white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, snow-capped mountains and smoking volcanoes, and picture perfect colonial towns.
Mexico is bordered by the United States to the north and Belize and Guatemala to the southeast with an area of almost 2 million sq km. With the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean to the east, its extremes are made up of peninsulas and gulfs and gorgeous beaches. The north is comprised of arid desert and the spectacular Copper Canyon,. The centre of Mexico is a great, high plateau, with the Sierra Madre mountain ranges and jungle on the fringes.
With a population of over 100 million, Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking nation in the world. Its people are predominantly mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian descent) and pure Amerindian - including Nahua, Maya, Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Totonacs, and Tarascos or Purépecha), along with a few minore nationalities. The main religion is Catholic though some Mayan ceremonies are still upheld. One can’t help but feel the spirit of their Mayan and Aztec forefathers and their revolutionaries such as Miguel Hidalgo, as the very colourful Pancho Villa and Emilio Zapata. Mariachis still stroll the main squares with their beautiful melodies. Above all, the Mexicans are hospitable and friendly and very entertaining!
Mexico City is the capital and is a mix of modern and colonial and is home to many galleries and museums. Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo are but a few of the artists to come out of this fascinating country, as well as writes such as Carlos Fuentes and Octavio Paz. Mexico has long featured in and produces intriguing cinema, in more recent years movies such as ‘Like Water for Chocolate’ and ‘Y Tu Mama Tambien’ have portrayed the personality of this exciting and quirky land.
The highlights of Mexico are too many to include in just one visit, but some of the not to be missed destinations are: the Aztec pyramids of Teotihuacan; The Yucatan Peninsula with its Mayan cities of Uxmal, Chichen Itza and Tulum and its Caribbean beaches and reefs; the Mayn city of Villahermosa, popping out of the verdant jungle; colonial gems such as Oaxaca, Puebla, Taxco and San Miguel de Allende; a step back in time in the amazing Copper Canyon; and the glorious beaches. . Let’s not forget the food! Mostly known for its tacos and enchiladas, Mexican cuisine is much much more. There are many regional delicacies to be tasted, including mole poblano, a bitter chocolate sauce with many spices poured over chicken. Tequila is without a doubt the national drink, taken solo or in a delicious margarita.
Mexico is just waiting for you to come and explore!