Mexico

Mexico is a country in the southern part of North America. It sits between the United States to the north and Guatemala and Belize to the south. The Pacific Ocean is on its west side. The Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea are on its east side. Mexico is the 13th largest country in the world by area. About 130 million people live there, making it one of the most populated countries in the Americas.

The capital is Mexico City. It is one of the largest cities in the world, with more than 22 million people in its greater area. The city was built on top of the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the ancient capital of the Aztec Empire. Spanish soldiers led by Hernán Cortés conquered Tenochtitlan in 1521. They tore down the Aztec temples and built a Spanish colonial city in its place.

Mexico has a long and layered history. Before the Spanish arrived, great civilizations lived there for thousands of years. The Olmec, Maya, Zapotec, and Aztec peoples built large cities, studied the stars, and created detailed calendars. They built stone pyramids that still stand today. One of them, the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan, is more than 200 feet tall and nearly 2,000 years old.

Mexico was ruled by Spain for about 300 years. Spanish became the main language, and most people became Catholic. Mexico won its independence in 1821 after an 11-year war. Today, Mexico is a democracy. The president is elected every six years and cannot run again.

The land in Mexico is full of variety. The country has tall mountain ranges, deep canyons, tropical jungles, and wide deserts. Two big mountain chains, called the Sierra Madre, run down each side of the country. Between them sits a high flat area called the Central Plateau, where most people live. The Copper Canyon in northern Mexico is actually larger and in some places deeper than the Grand Canyon.

Mexican food is one of the country's greatest gifts to the world. Tacos, tortillas, tamales, guacamole, mole, and hot chocolate all come from Mexico. Corn, beans, tomatoes, chili peppers, and chocolate were first grown by Mexican farmers thousands of years ago. UNESCO, a part of the United Nations, named traditional Mexican cooking part of the world's cultural heritage.

Mexico is also famous for its holidays. On the Day of the Dead, families honor loved ones who have died by making altars with photos, candles, marigolds, and favorite foods. It is not a sad holiday. It is a celebration of the people who came before.