Places / North & Central America
Mexico
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- North America
- Capital
- Mexico City
- Population
- 130.9 million (2024)
- Area
- 1,964,375 km²
- Languages
- Spanish
- Currency
- Mexican peso (MXN)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +52
Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Before you go
Overview
The United Mexican States is a country located at the southern of North America.
The country recorded a population of 126.2 million in 2018 and covers an area of 1.973 million km2.
Its capital city, which is also the main metropolis, is Mexico City. Its landmarks include the Templo Mayor, National Place and Baraque Catedral Metropolitana de Mexico of the Spanish conquistadors and.
Other cities include Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Toluca, Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez and Leon.
Cenote Saytun near Valladolid.
History
Spanish army led by Henan Cortes landed in Veracruz in 1519 where they started to conquer the country. Mexico became part of Spain between 1521 and 1820. There was a war of independence, which caused the formation of a temporary Mexican Empire.
The country became a federal republic in 1824.
Food & culture
Its culture is influenced by Aztec, Maya and the European colonization.
The crops grown in the country include corn, sugarcane, sorghum, wheat, tomatoes, bananas, chilli peppers, oranges, lemons, mangoes and tropical fruits.
The most popular dishes are chilaquilles, pozole, tacos, tostadas, elote, and enchiladas, mole and chiles en nogada.
Wildlife
Common wildlife animals include fox squirrel, lowland paca, porcupine, jaguar, jaguarondi, peccary, pronghorn and spider.
Festivals & events
The common events held in the country are Saints’ Week, Three King’s Day, Candlemas, Carnaval, Independence Day, All Saints’ Day and Guadalajara International Festival.
Things to see
Archeological Zone of Tulum is a 13th century walled Mayan archaeological site within Tulum National Park.
Xcaret Park is a private resort on Riviera Maya on Caribbean coastline.
Xel-Ha Park is a commercial aquatic park on the Caribbean coast in Quintana Roo state.
Other must visit sites are Coba, Bosque de Chapultepec and Zocalo.
Interesting facts
It is the largest Spanish speaking country in the world.
It has the longest working hours than any other country in the world.
It has one of the great wonders in the world, the Chichen Itza.
Cities & towns I’ve visited
- Akumal
- Alfredo V. Bonfil
- Chetumal
- Mexico City
- Pisté de Chichén Itzá
- Popolá
- Puerto Juárez
- San Miguel Tocuila
- Tikuch
