10 things you didnt know about MEXICO

1. Mexico is home to one of the seven wonders of the world

Although there are various lists of the “7 wonders” variety, the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza are often considered among them. The ruins are what’s left of an ancient Maya ceremonial city on the Yucatan peninsula. The site is known for the appearance of a snake’s shadow on the steps of its great pyramid El Castillo on the day of the winter solstice.

2.There Are Jaguars in Mexico

The largest wildcat in North America is the jaguar, which can be found in Mexico’s southern jungles. They can also be seen hopping around Mayan ruins.

3. Mexico is located in one of the most seismically active areas of the world

Mexico is in the middle of the “Ring of Fire”, also called the circum-Pacific Belt. It’s where almost 90% of the world’s earthquakes and about 81 % of the planet’s volcanic eruptions take place.

Mexico is also home to the world’s smallest volcano – Cuexcomate. This volcano sits just outside the city of Puebla and stands a cute 43 feet tall, barely a small hill.

4. Color TV was invented in Mexico

Without Mexico, the world would be a lot more black and white. Guillermo González Camarena was an inventor who created the chromoscopic adapter for television equipment, which was an early color tv tranmission system. The year was 1942 and he was only 17! His first color transmission was from Mexico City in 1946.

5. You Shouldn’t Throw Toilet Paper in the Toilet

Mexico isn’t different than other places in Central America in this sense, especially considering the fact that it’s not in Central but North America. You should throw toilet paper in a bin, not in a toilet bowl. Not surprisingly, many Latin Americans abroad have trouble adjusting to flushing toilet paper down the toilet.

6. Mexico is home to the third highest peak in North America

The Pico de Orizaba sits on the border between the Mexican states of Veracruz and Puebla and is the third-highest peak in North America after Mount McKinley in the United States and Mount Logan in Canada. This now dormant, but not extinct, volcano rises 5,636 metres (18,491 ft) above sea level and is a popular destination for hikers and climbers in Mexico and beyond.

7. Mexico is the ‘biggest’ country in the world

 While everyone considers America to be the fattest country with all of their fried treats and processed foods, usa actually come in second to Mexico. Their obesity rate is just a tad bit higher than usa.

8. 68 languages are spoken in Mexico

Mexican law recognizes 68 official indigenous languages in the country, even though Spanish is the language used for most commercial and all governmental business. Within these 68 languages that are also dozens of variations and the number of indigenous dialects spoken in Mexico most likely numbers close to 200. Many of these languages are very much in danger of extinction, only surviving among small communities and often only spoken by the older generation.

9. Mexico has 59 corn varieties

Not only the original home of one of the world’s staple crops, corn, Mexico also possesses a rich diversity of this produce with over 59 varieties. Mexicans have cultivated this important crop for centuries and despite threats from international trade agreements and genetically modified imports, farmers continue the tradition of growing corn, collecting seeds and preserving varieties for the next generations to come.

10. Mexico’s Real Name is Not Mexico

Mexico’s real name is the United States of Mexico (Estados Unidos Mexicanos). The country is divided into 31 states, plus the Federal District.

Each state has its own laws, regulations, and police, similar to the United States of America. When in a different state from the one you live in, your phone is practically always roaming.