Surprising Facts About Mexico: Mexico is a distinctive nation with a rich history, unmatched natural beauty, and outstanding cultural legacy. It makes sense why millions of people travel there each year.
When people think of Mexico, they frequently picture cenotes and beaches, but this nation is also well-known for many other fascinating things, such as ancient civilizations, pyramids, vibrant cultures, and more.
After reading these fascinating and entertaining facts, we are confident that you’ll be inspired to plan a vacation to Mexico (don’t forget your Mexico visa!).
Surprising Facts About Mexico
A World Heritage Site
Mexico is a genuine cultural and historical treasure, so it should come as no surprise that it routinely ranks at the top of lists of the most sought-after vacation spots. Five of the first civilizations—the Aztec, Olmec, Teotihuacan, Toltec, and Mayans—were based in the region and made significant contributions to the history of the nation.
There are currently 35 World Heritage Sites in Mexico thanks to its rich history and culture, which have attracted organisations like UNESCO.
The ancient city of Chichen Itza, which is regarded as one of the seven wonders of the world, the Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco, the vibrant Old Town of Campeche, and El Tajin are among the most well-known and fascinating locations.
The Peninsula of Yucatan
Many tourists are unaware that the Yucatan Peninsula is also one of the most unusual places on Earth, despite the fact that it is normally recognised for its lovely beaches and all-inclusive resorts.
A 180-kilometer wide crater was created at the location more than 65 million years ago when a meteorite struck and wiped out the dinosaurs. The impact left behind several components, including the famous cenotes (sinkholes) and other natural structures, even if the crater is buried beneath the peninsula and inaccessible.
Along with being distinctive, the Yucatan is home to several of Mexico’s tourist destinations. Travellers will see remnants of the Mayan Indians’ ancient towns and pyramids on this relatively tiny peninsula, as well as gorgeous natural parks with regional wildlife and magnificent beaches that are likely to please tourists.
Mexican Republic
The fact that the country’s official name is The United Mexican States (Estados Unidos Mexicanos) rather than just Mexico will surprise a lot of people.
The nation is divided into 31 states plus the capital, each of which has its own distinct history, customs, cuisine, and population. Mexico, Ciudad de México, Jalisco, Veracruz, and Puebla are the states with the greatest inhabitants.
Natural Variation
Mexico is a very different country in every way. The nation has nine of the eleven different types of ecosystems and five different types of distinct climates. Mexico ranks fourth in the world for biological diversity, so those who love the outdoors can marvel at the variety of flora and fauna there.
Similarly, one can go up mountain summits, plunge into gorges and canyons, swim in the ocean, explore underground caverns and cenotes, and explore ancient cities.
Mexico is home to more than 100,000 species, or more than 10% of all species on Earth!
The Day of the Dead.
The Day of the Dead festival, or Da de los Muertos, is observed by Mexicans and is a distinctive custom that originated in this area.
As death was not viewed as the end of life but rather a natural part of the life cycle, the tradition of this holiday dates back many centuries among the Aztecs, Tolteks, and other aboriginal peoples. On this day, the dead visit their family.
The celebration, which takes place in the first few days of November, includes singing and dancing in memory of deceased loved ones, decorating with vibrant skulls and skeletons, and presenting offerings to the dead. Eventually, UNESCO took notice of the celebration, and in 2008 it was included to the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The World’s Largest Pyramid
Pyramids are often associated with Egypt, but Mexico also has a large number of these architectural wonders.
In actuality, did you know that the Cholula Pyramid is regarded as the biggest pyramid in the entire world? With a base of an astounding 450 by 450 metres and a height of 66 metres, it is the largest pyramid in terms of volume. The pyramid is thought to have served as Quetzalcoatl’s temple, and Cholula was his mythological home city.
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Chihuahua Origin
The Chihuahua is a breed of dog that is common in many homes today, but it also has a long history that dates back hundreds of years.
Although their history spans several centuries, these dogs were in fact originally bred in the state of Chihuahua in the middle of the 19th century. Chihuahuas are known to have originated from ancient Indian tribes, and for particularly affluent individuals, owning one was considered a sign of good luck. In fact, researchers have discovered references to this breed since the ninth century!
