MEXICO - COUNTRY OF THE ANCIENT AZTECS
Covering 2 million square kilometres, and a popular ‘Mexico package deals‘ destinaton, Mexico is the fifth largest country of the Americas with a population of nearly 107 million people. This makes it the the eleventh most populous nation in the world with a GDP that ranks 14th. It is the most populous Spanish speaking country.
The country was originally called New Spain but when it won independence from Spain in 1810 it was decided to name the country after its capital Mexico City. Mexico City itself sits on top of the ancient Aztec capital Mexico-Tenochtitian which derives its name from the Nahuatl language.
Mexico City is the Western Hemisphere’s most populous city. The metropolitan area of Mexico city is includes 19.8 million people as of 2008. It is the countries economic, industrial and cultural mecca. A study by Pricewaterhousecoopers suggested Mexico City had a GDP of $315 billion in 2005 ranking it the 8th richest urban conurbation in the world.
The city is located in the Valley of Mexico which is in the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt atop the high plateaus of central Mexico. It has a minimum altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level and surrounded by mountains and volcanoes that reach elevations of over 5,000 meters. This valley has no natural drainage outlet for the waters that flow from the mountainsides, making the city vulnerable to flooding. It was artificially opened through the use of canals and tunnels starting in the 17th century. The city primarily rests on what was Lake Texcoco where seismic activity is frequent.
In 2005 Mexico was the seventh most popular tourist destination worldwide for Mexico holidays and Mexico package deals, with over 20 million tourists travelling to the country each year. It is the only Latin American country to be in the top 25.
One of Mexico City’s attractions is The Pyramid Of The Sun and The Pyramid Of The Moon. As well as the Mexican National Palace which is built on Moctezuma’s palace. The Metropolitan Cathedral is also an attraction in Mexico city. Being the largest cathedral in the Western hemisphere.
Spain’s second city Guadalajara is home to Mexico’s traditions of Tequila, Mariachi and Charros. The Guadalajara International Book Fair is the most important book fair in the Spanish speaking world. The city has many European architectural styles and is a focus for tourists in search of cheap Mexico package deal holiday and Mexico holidays. In particular the UNESCO world heritage site of Hospicio Cabanas which is one of the oldest and largest hospital complexes in the America’s.
Mexican beaches have a high reputation. Especially those at Acapulco, with tourists flocking to Acapulco beach on their Mexico Holidays. But it is the Meso-American ruins that people largely take Package holidays in Mexico for. The castle at Chichen Itza is a large pre-columbian archaeological site built by the Maya Civilization which is located in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. The site occupies many architectural styles which have been labelled ‘Mexicanized’. The Maya name ‘Chichen Itza’ means at the Mouth of the well of the Itza. The Itza being the name of a group that dominated the region.
Mexican culture reflects the complexity of the country’s diverse history. The blending of pre-hispanic culture with the Culture of Spain has created modern Mexican culture. The painter Frida Kahlo is a world renowned artist who painted in vibrant colours that reflected indigenous cultures of Mexico as well as by European symbolism and surrealism.
Mexican cuisine is known for its intense and varied flavors, colorful decoration, and variety of spices. Most of today’s Mexican food is based on pre-hispanic traditions, including the Aztecs and Maya, combined with culinary trends introduced by Spanish colonists.
So no matter what you are looking for, Mexico package deals holidays are sure to please.