Thousands of Mexicans honor their ancestors with altars and offerings made especially for a traditional holiday known as the Day of the Dead.
Mexico , officially called the United Mexican States , is a nation whose name derives from a Nahuatl term that is interpreted as “navel of the moon.” This country, which stands out internationally for its landscapes, its historical wealth, its cultural heritage and its gastronomy, is located in the southern portion of North America .
Beyond looking at this corner of the world for tourist reasons, it is worth learning about the beginnings and knowing how this country has developed, to which artists like Luis Miguel , among others, pay tribute and exalt it through their works. the music.
Origins of Mexico
To know, understand and value the Mexican identity it is essential to go back more than thirty thousand years in time, a time during which the surface that today corresponds to the land of origin of figures such as the unforgettable Roberto “Chespirito” Gómez Bolaños was occupied by nomadic gatherers and hunters. When reconstructing the origins of Mexico, references come to light about the first crops that took place both in the Tamaulipas mountains and in the Tehuacán valley : huaje and pumpkin. Corn arrived later.
Throughout history , groups of cultivators such as the Oasis-Americans who developed villages in Chihuahua and New Mexico , as well as the Olmecs (whose culture spread to every part of Mesoamerica ), the Teotihuacans ( settled in the ancient area of Teotihuacán ) and the Mayans (a people who spread widely throughout Mesoamerica , occupying the soils of Yucatán , Campeche , Quintana Roo , Tabasco and Chiapas in Mexico ). Nor should we overlook the Zapotecs , who settled in Oaxaca and the southern strip of Puebla and Guerrero .
The Toltecs (a civilization that passed through places that correspond to Hidalgo , Zacatecas and San Luis Potosí ), the Mixtecs (expanded through Chiapas , Puebla , Oaxaca and Guerrero ) and the Mexicas (a culture that had its decline after 1521 as a consequence of the Spanish conquest and which is often popularly associated with that of the Aztecs ) are also relevant to appreciate the Mexican past (and the national present, given the influence, traces and legacies left).
In Mexican history, the politician – who was president – Benito Juárez has played relevant roles; the soldiers Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa (who intervened in the Mexican Revolution ) and Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (a soldier and priest designated as the “father of the Nation” ), for example.
Likewise, it is important to indicate that in 1810 a popular movement of a revolutionary nature began in this nation that was completed in September 1821 with the declaration of the Independence of Mexico .
Cancun is a picturesque Mexican tourist destination located on the Yucatan Peninsula that captivates travelers of different ages and nationalities.
Mexican culture
Mexican culture is extraordinarily rich, varied and respected both inside and outside the national territory.
Its art, its typical dishes and its traditions have transcended borders, captivating people of different ages and nationalities.
Among its greatest representatives in cultural matters are the painter Diego Rivera along with his colleague and wife Frida Kahlo . Mariachi music (a word that even identifies the musicians who cultivate this genre) and the contributions of writers such as Juan Rulfo , Carlos Fuentes and Octavio Paz have also been conquering places through creative talent born in Mexico . Many people, on the other hand, have laughed and enjoyed thanks to the humor of the comedian, screenwriter, producer, actor and mime Cantinflas , as the multifaceted Mexican Mario Fortino Alfonso Moreno Reyes , who was born and died in Mexico City, is known and remembered. .
Likewise, Mexican wrestling and the peculiar celebration called Day of the Dead are striking internationally, a festival promoted by members of indigenous communities of this nation that UNESCO has included in the list of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity .
In relation to the drinks and recipes originating from this country that are currently offered in restaurants in different corners of the planet, it should be noted that tacos , quesadillas , enchiladas , pozole , mezcal and tequila are part of the delights. in which the authentic Mexican essence emerges.
The archaeological site of Mayan origin known as Chichén Itzá has been recognized by UNESCO as one of the seven Wonders of the World.
Tourist attractions of Mexico
Mexico receives a large number of tourists every year thanks to its enormous range of tourist attractions .
The Riviera Maya , with jewels like Playa del Carmen and Tulum ; Isla Mujeres ; Cozumel Cancún and Acapulco are among the most visited destinations. Travelers also often come to Puerto Vallarta for enjoyment and rest.
This territory has so many benefits that it is impossible to know it and appreciate it deeply in the same vacation period. Therefore, in order to prioritize places to visit based on personal interests, it is enriching to become aware of the natural, geographical, cultural and historical wonders that exist in this nation where, for example, the Chihuahua Desert , the Mayan complex named Chichen Itzá , the Popocatépetl volcano , the Nevado de Toluca Volcano National Park and the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve .