Period+5+Group+2

__C__ountry Name: Mexico

Group Members: Jack, Michael, and Bennett
media type="custom" key="333911"

__Cultural Features__
Bennett

Social Groups
Mexicans believe in friendship, humor, honesty, hard work, and personal honor. They also respect people who use their ingenuity to solve daily problems. Social status is determined by wealth, family name, and education. //Machismo//, the ideal of a strong, forceful man, is still believed. The elderly are respected, particularly in more known communities. Most Mexicans, especially in urban areas, wear clothing that is common in the United States. Many groups wear traditional clothing—either daily or for festivals. Rural women wear dresses or skirts, often covered by an apron or another article of clothing. They may use a shawl (//rebozo//) to carry a child. Fabric designs and colors can be characteristic of a specific area. People often dress up for special events.

Language:
The main language in Mexico is Spanish but there are many different languages in different parts of the country. In fact there are over 100 languages spoken currently in Mexico. English is taught in secondary schools but it is rare to find a fluent English speaker in the country. Some of the other languages spoken in Mexico are, Tzotzil and Tzeltal which are Mayan dialects and Nahauti which is an Aztec dialect.

Religion:
89% of the people in Mexico are Roman Catholic although many do not attend church regularly. Catholicism is a big part in Mexican culture and Catholic holidays are celebrated far and wide. The Virgin of Guadaloupe is the Patron Saint of Mexico and it is a national symbol. A big religious gathering in Mexico is a baptization of children. Many come in the family to watch. A big holiday in Mexico is the day of the dead. It is a religous holiday in which Mexicans honor dead ancestors. They decorate with skulls and putting colorful flowers on caskets and graves.

__Daily Life__: Most Mexican families have more then three families. The divorce rate is low because of the strong Catholic faith most Mexicans have. Children Generally live with there parents until they get married. Most Mexican houses are box like and are usually small. Most don't have lawns but they try to decorate with plants and relgious pictures hanging in the house. Some common foods eaten in Mexico are, Tortas, Quesadillas, Mole(pronounced molEH) and tacos.Soccer is the main Mexican Sport and Bullfighting is the second. There is also a big following of pro wrestling.

Art
Song and dance are really big in Mexican Culture. Mariachi bands are very popular forms of entertainment and can be found in the states at some Mexican restaruants. //Corridos//, songs that tell stories, and //ranchera// are other forms of traditional Mexican music. Murals were founded in Mexico and were globally based in Mexico. Mexican murals usually are painted in public buildings.

__Physical Features__
Jack

Land Forms
Mexico has three mani mountain chains. The one fartherst north west is the Sierra Madre Occiddental chain. The mountains that are to the north east, are the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains. The Mountains to the south are the Sierra Madre del Sur Range. Mexico also has one large plateau which is called the Central Plateau. The Country has two huge pinensulas. The Yucatan Pinensula reaches into the Gulf of Mexico. The Baja California pinensula reaches into the Pacific Ocean and shelters the Gulf of California.



Water Forms
Mexico is home to many different waterforms. It has the gigantic Pacific Ocean to it’s west, and the Gulf of Mexico and the Carribean Sea to the east. The Rio Grande river forms the border between Mexico and Texas(U.S.). Mexico also shelters the Bay of Campeche and the Gulf of California.



Climate
Mexico has two main biogeographic regions. The first is the Nearctic region. The second is the Neotropical region. These boundaries appeared about 6 million years ago when the North and South American landmasses collided. This caused the retreating of the glaciers and triggered the explosion of new species.

Animals
Mexico has a total of 502 species making it the second richest country involving species. Mexico’s large species range includes dogs, bears, Tapirs, Opossums, Cats, Racoons, and many more types of Mammals, Reptiles, and sea creatures.

__Current Issues__
Michael

Current Events
In Mexico there have several uprisings and there still is uprisings from the locals. Some of these include Mayans who feel that people of Spanish descent still rule Mexico and that they have been treated unfairly. The government has setup roadblocks that stop cars and search them for weapons on the roads to ancient Mayan villages and ruins. There have been recent floods in the Mexican state of Tabasco. The water has ebbed away but the damage still affects many people. Mudslides in Mexico have left 16 dead and villages completely ruined in the state of Chiapas. Malkin, Elisabeth. "Americas." www.nytimes..com. 6 Nov. 2007 .

Government
Mexico is composed of 31 states and one federal district which is led by a president. The Senate and Chamber of Deputies sre the two branches of government. The President serves one six year term.

Economy
Mexico's current currency is the peso.Mexico's largest industry is the service industry. Many Mexicans work in border factories with the United States. Another big industry is agriculture. About 40% of the population lives in poverty.

History
"Mexico." Culture Grams. 31 Oct. 2007 The Mexican flag was adopted on September 17, 1968. Mexico was captured by the Spanish in the 1500's and many descendants of the Spanish still live in Mexico. Before the Spanish the Mayans and Aztecs ruled Mexico.

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Bibliography

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