Mexico

Terrain Mexico is primarily an immense, elevated plateau, flanked by mountain ranges which drop sharply away to narrow coastal plains in the west and in the east. The two major mountain chains are the Sierra Madre Occidental in the west and the Sierra Madre Oriental in the east. They meet in the south-east in a region called La Junta. There they form the southern Sierra Madre, where plenty of volcanic mountains rise, among them the highest peaks in Mexico. The country's highest elevation is the Citlaltépetl (5,600m). Climate The southern half of Mexico belongs to the subtropical zone. The climate varies depending on altitude. The tierra caliente (hot land) comprises the low-lying coastal plains, which range from sea level to about 915 m. Its climate is extremely wet with temperatures ranging between 15.6 and 48.9°C. The tierra templada (temperate land) is situated between around 914 and 1,830 m and has average temperatures from 16.7 to 21.1°C. The tierra fría (cold land) comprises an altitude between approx. 1,830 and 2,745 m. Its mean temperatures range between 15 and 17.2°C. The average temperature in Mexico City is 12.6°C in January and 16.1°C in July. In the same months the mean temperature in Monterrey is between 14.4 and 27.2°C. The rainy season is from May to October. Fauna/Flora Owing to the wide range of temperatures the flora indigenous to Mexico is multifarious. In the north there are cacti, yuccas, agaves, and mesquites. The tierra caliente is covered with a multitude of plants, which form a thick jungle in some areas. The trees of this climatic zone include precious hardwoods, coconut palms, rubber trees, almond trees, fig and olive trees. On the mountain slopes oaks, pines, and fir-trees grow. At Mexico's highest elevations Arctic vegetation is found. As far as the country's fauna is concerned, the different climatic zones have their typical wildlife. In the north there are wolves and coyotes; in the forests on the mountain slopes ocelots, jaguars, peccaries, bears, and pumas live; and along the coasts seals are found. The large variety of reptiles includes turtles, iguanas, rattlesnakes, and lizards. There is a large bird population, including sea birds and game birds, and the coastal waters are teeming with fish. History/Politics Mexico was the site of some of the earliest and most advanced civilizations in the western hemisphere. The great Mesoamerican civilizations started with the Olmecs, who had their heyday between BC 1500 and 600. Archaeologists have found out that the Mayan culture reached its highest stage of development around the 6th century AD. The belligerent Toltecs migrated into the country from the north and established their empire in the "Valle de Mexico". In 1325, the Aztecs built a settlement called Tenochtitlán which was to become the capital of the Aztec Empire. The first European explorer to set foot on the area of present-day Mexico was Francisco Fernández de Córdoba, who discovered evidence of Mayan culture in Yucatán in 1517. In 1519, Hernando Cortez conquered the Aztec Empire which was to change into the first American viceroyalty (New Spain). In 1821, independence from Spain had finally been achieved as a result of armed resistance during the first decade of the 19th century. In 1822 Itúrbide, after a successful rebellion, proclaimed himself emperor and adopted the name Agustín I. Ten months later he was deposed by another revolt led by his former adviser López de Santa Ana. Mexico was declared a republic, and Guadalupe Victoria became the first president. The following years were characterized by internal armed conflict and the war with the United States of America (1847-48) leading to territorial gains for the U.S. The war with France (1863-67) resulted in French rule imposed on Mexico, with Austrian prince Maximilian as emperor. The troops of Benito Juárez reconquered the country and executed Maximilian in 1867 after the French had pulled back their forces. Except for the period between 1880 and 1884, Díaz ruled Mexico from 1877 until 1911. In the 1911 elections Madero was elected president. Victoriano Huerta, commander-in-chief of Madero's army, took over in 1913 given rising internal conflict. Soon after, the Mexican Revolution broke out which was to last until 1917. However, ongoing internal conflict was to dominate domestic politics until 1938. In the 1997 elections the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which had been in power since 1929, lost its absolute majority in the Chamber of Deputies as well as its two-thirds majority in the Senate. Vicente Fox of the National Action Party (PAN) won the presidential elections in July 2000. Economy Mexican agriculture does not only cover a major part of the country's needs, but there are also commodities which are exported. The chief crops are maize, sugar cane, sorghum, wheat, oranges, coffee, tomatoes, bananas, and potatoes. About 21% of Mexico is covered with forest, and the economy produces considerable amounts of forestry products, such as lumber and turpentine. The major fisheries are situated off the coast of Baja California. The most important mineral resources are petroleum, silver, gold, copper ore, iron ore, natural gas, and coal. Mexican industries, among the most developed in Latin America, produce motor vehicles and other commodities for the U.S. market. Further important industries include machinery and electronic equipment factories, paper mills, cotton mills, tobacco processing plants, and sugar refineries. Besides, there are numerous petroleum refineries and foundries. Culture Long before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores there was a rich tradition of painting and sculpture in Mexico. During colonial times artists created remarkable works of art, combining this tradition with Spanish techniques. The last years of Spanish rule are characterized by purely academic creations. One of the foremost artists of the 20th century is José Guadalupe Posada, who created posters, lithographs, and wood engravings with representations of modern life. His disciples Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco revived fresco painting. Frida Kahlo blends phantastic, autobiographic, and traditional Mexican elements. In the fields of weaving, pottery, and silver Mexican artists offer a wide range of creations, which are admired by collectors worldwide. Mexican artists are likewise renowned for their creations made of wood, glass, and leather.