MEXICO

MEXICO
Comprised of 31 states and one federal district, the nation of Mexico is home to the world’s largest population of Spanish speakers. From the temples of Chichen Itza, to the beaches of Cancun or the bustle of Mexico City, Mexico boasts a diverse landscape and rich history.
Languages of Mexico
The overwhelming majority of Mexicans today speak Spanish. According to the CIA, Spanish isspoken by 92.7 percent of the Mexican population.
Religions of Mexico
"Much of Mexican culture revolves around religious values and the church, as well as the concept of family and inclusiveness," Around 82 percent of Mexicans identify themselves as Catholic, according to the CIA, although many have incorporated pre-Hispanic Mayan elements as part of their faith. Christian denominations representedinclude Presbyterians, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, Mormons, Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists and Anglicans. There are also small communities of Muslims, Jews and Buddhists.

Values of the Mexican People
Mexicans put a high value on hierarchy and structure in business and family matters. Especially outside of cities, families are typically large and Mexicans are very conscious oftheir responsibilities to immediate family members and extended family such as cousins and even close friends.

Mexican food
Mexican culinary norms vary widely based on income level and social class. The diet of working-class Mexicans includes staples such as corn or wheat tortillas, along with beans, rice, tomatoes, chili peppers and chorizo, a type of pork sausage. Empanadas, which are handheldpasty pockets, can contain savory or sweet fillings. Many Mexicans love spicy foods full of heat.

Mexico is known for its tequila, which is made from agave cactus that is well suited to the climate of central Mexico. Soda is a very popular drink in Mexico, as the country has a well-developed beverage industry.

Mexican art and literature
Clay pottery, embroidered cotton garments, wool shawls andouter garments with angular designs, colorful baskets and rugs are some of the common items associated with Mexican folk art.

The country is closely associated with the Mariachi style of folk music. Originated in the southern part of the state of Jalisco sometime in the 19th century, it involves a group of musicians — playing violins, guitars, basses, vihuelas (a five-string guitar) and trumpets —and wearing silver-studded charro suits and elaborate hats. "La Cucaracha" is a well-known Mariachi staple.

Two of Mexico's most famous artists are Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Their paintings include vibrant colors and depictions of life in Mexico.

Mexican clothing
Many may not think of Mexico as a place that fosters high fashion, but many fashion designers hail from Mexico, such as JorgeDuque and Julia y Renata. There is also a Mexico Fashion Week. In the cities, fashion in Mexico is influenced by international trends, so the typical urban Mexican dresses similar to people in Europe and the United States.

In more rural areas, a typical woman’s wardrobe includes skirts, sleeveless tunics called huipils, capes known as quechquémitls and shawls called rebozos. One distinguishingarticle of traditional men’s clothing is a large blanket cape called a sarape. Boots are also a wardrobe staple
Some traditional clothing, now typically worn for celebrations and special occasions, include sombreros and the charro suits worn by Mariachi bands.

Holidays and celebrations
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is celebrated on Dec. 12, is a major Mexican holiday celebrating theappearance of the Virgin Mary to an Indian man in the first years of Spanish rule. She is the patron saint of the country.

The Day of the Dead, celebrated on Nov. 2, is a day set aside to remember and honor those who have died, according to the University of New Mexico. Carnival is also celebrated in many communities throughout Mexico to mark the period before Lent.

Independence Day, marking the...