What is connected with Mexico. Mexico: general information about the country. Office hours

Almost a year has passed since our trip to North America and today we decided to refresh this trip by compiling 50 facts about Mexico, based on our impressions. We do not pretend to be objective - this is exclusively our vision of the country.

1. Burritos and tacos  - This is a national and very popular food here, based on tortillas made from corn, wheat and even cactus flour. The second component is meat, chicken or vegetables, and always beans or beans, all seasoned with hot chili sauce.

2. Fresh juices, as well as various soft drinks sold on every corner, are very cheap, but be careful - ice is generously placed there or diluted with water of unknown origin

5. Tequila  (full name Santiago de Tequila) is the name of the Mexican city in which the main production of the drink of the same name is located.

6. Blue agave  - This is the plant from which Tequila is made, contrary to popular belief that it is made from cacti. Blue agave belongs to the asparagus family and looks like a small bush with thorns, which is probably why a stereotype about cacti appeared.

7. Tequilero  - This is the name of the tequila specialist.

8. Popular local sweets: pastille from apple and other fruits - in the form of toffee and in the form of cubes; candied coconut in lime; juchea sweet beans with chili peppers.

9. Boiled corn  It is also a popular treat here - you can buy an entire cob or already peeled in a glass. The seller, in addition to corn, also adds salt, mayonnaise to a glass, sprinkles with cheese and squeezes lime juice onto all this. And for an ear and for a glass, the price is the same - a little more than a dollar.

10. Corn it’s a universal product here - it is eaten raw, boiled and grilled, it is used to make cakes, stew, yogurt and even corn ice cream with pieces of corn.

16. Underwater museumwith four hundred sculptures located at a depth of about 2 to 10 meters is located nearby. It will surely appeal to divers who are bored with tropical fish and coral reefs.

17. Beaches  Cancun and Tulum are among the ten best beaches in the world according to TripAdvisor.

18. Cenotes  - These are natural wells or small lakes that Mayan Indians used as sources of water and places for sacrifices; snorkelling enthusiasts will definitely like them. Most cenotes are located in caves with many bizarre stalactites and stalagmites. The water there is crystal clear and pleasantly cool, well suited for relaxing from the heat outside.

19. Iguanas  different colors and sizes are very common in


20. In official taxis  in the glass necessarily hangs a state license with a photograph of the driver. To avoid misunderstandings, it is recommended to check the photo with those who are sitting behind the wheel.

21. Taxi in Mexico Cityvaries in safety classes. The safer - the more expensive, but in general it is quite cheap. For 3-4 people, it is often more profitable to take a taxi than to travel by public transport


22. Cost of local calls  from a pay phone does not depend on the duration of the conversation. For example, it will cost 3 pesos (25 cents)

23. Mexico city located in the mountains, at an altitude of 2240 m, so if you are flying from the coast or flat parts, get ready to put on a jacket or jacket at the exit from the airport. It is warm during the day, and rather cool in the morning and evening.

The content of the article

MEXICO,The Mexican United States, the state that occupies the northern, widest part of the isthmus, stretching south of the US border and connecting North America with South America. In the west, the shores of Mexico are washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California, in the east - by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea; in the south, it borders with Guatemala and Belize. Mexico was the cradle of the ancient civilizations of the New World. Now a fifth of the entire population of Latin America lives in it.

Colonial period.

In 1528, the Spanish crown limited the power of Cortes, sending audiencia to Mexico, an administrative-judicial board directly reporting to the king. In 1535, Mexico became part of the newly created Viceroyalty of New Spain. The first Viceroy, personal representative of the Spanish monarch in New Spain was Antonio de Mendoza; in 1564 he was succeeded by Luis de Velasco. For three centuries, from 1521 to 1821, Mexico remained a colonial possession of Spain. Despite the active interaction of local and European traditions, culturally, Mexican society was a rather colorful picture. The colonial economy was based on the exploitation of the Indians, who were forced to work on their lands and mines. The Spaniards introduced new agricultural technologies and new crops into traditional Native American agriculture, including citrus fruits, wheat, sugarcane and olives, trained Indians in animal husbandry, began the systematic development of the earth's bowels and created new mining centers - Guanajuato, Zacatecas, Pachuca, Taxco, etc.

The most important instrument of political and cultural influence on the Indians was the Roman Catholic Church. Its pioneering missionaries actually expanded the sphere of Spanish influence.

During the 18th century The bourbons that ruled Spain, under the influence of the ideas of the Enlightenment, carried out a number of reforms in the colonies aimed at centralizing power and liberalizing the economy. Extraordinary administrators showed their worth in Mexico, including the prominent vice-kings Antonio Maria Bucareli (1771–1779) and the count Reviliahejedo (1789–1794).

War for independence.

The anti-colonial war in Mexico that unfolded after the occupation of Spain by Napoleon’s troops developed under the influence of the French Revolution and the US War of Independence. At the same time, the liberation movement did not originate among the capital's creoles (whites of American origin), but in the very heart of the mining region and in the initial stages was almost a racial war. The uprising, which began in the village of Dolores on September 16, 1810, was led by priest Miguel Hidalgo (1753–1811). Submitting to his call “Independence and death to the Spaniards!”, Which went down in history under the name “Cry of Dolores”, the rebels, mostly Indians and Métis, moved to the capital with the enthusiasm of the crusaders. Filled with good illusions and reckless Padre Hidalgo turned out to be a poor military leader, and ten months later he was captured by the Spaniards, deprived of his dignity and executed. September 16 is celebrated in Mexico as Independence Day, and Hidalgo is revered as a national hero.

The banner of the liberation struggle was picked up by another parish priest, the Republican convinced Jose Maria Morelos (1765–1815), who showed the extraordinary abilities of the military leader and organizer. The Chilpancing Congress (November 1813), convened on his initiative, adopted the Declaration of Mexico's Independence. However, two years later Morelos suffered the fate of his predecessor Hidalgo. In the next five years, the Mexican independence movement took on the character of a guerrilla war led by local leaders such as Vicente Guerrero in Oaxaca or Guadalupe Victoria in the states of Puebla and Veracruz.

The success of the Spanish liberal revolution of 1820 convinced conservative Mexican Creoles that they should no longer rely on the metropolis. The Creole elite of Mexican society joined the independence movement, which ensured his victory. The Creole Colonel Agustin de Iturbide (1783–1824), who had once fought against Hidalgo, changed his political course, combined his army with the forces of Guerrero, and together with him put forward a program on February 24, 1821 in the town of Iguala (modern Iguala de la Independencia), dubbed the “Plan of the Igual.” This plan declared "three guarantees": the independence of Mexico and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, the preservation of the privileges of the Catholic Church and the equal rights of Creoles and Spaniards. Not meeting any serious resistance, the army of Iturbide occupied Mexico City on September 27, and the next day the independence of the country was proclaimed as part of the “Iguala Plan”.

Independent Mexico

in the first half of the 19th century

Independence in itself has not yet ensured the consolidation of the nation and the formation of new political institutions. The caste-hierarchical structure of society has remained the same, except for the fact that the Creoles replaced the Spaniards at the top of the social pyramid. The development of new social relations was hindered by the church with its privileges, the army command and large latifundists, who continued to expand their estates at the expense of Indian lands. The economy by its nature remained colonial: it was entirely oriented toward food production and the mining of precious metals. Therefore, many events in Mexican history can be seen as attempts to overcome the oppression of the colonial heritage, consolidate the nation and gain full independence.

Mexico emerged from the liberation war greatly weakened - with an empty treasury, a ruined economy, interrupted trade relations with Spain, and exorbitantly inflated bureaucratic apparatus and army. The prompt resolution of these problems was hindered by domestic political instability.

After the independence of Mexico, an interim government was formed, but in May 1822 Iturbide carried out a coup d'etat and crowned himself emperor under the name of Augustine I. In early December 1822, the commander of the garrison of Veracruz Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana (1794–1876) rebelled and proclaimed a republic. Soon he joined forces with the rebels of Guerrera and Victoria and in March 1823 forced Iturbide to abdicate and emigrate. The Constituent Congress, convened in November of that year, consisted of warring camps of liberals and conservatives. As a result, a compromise constitution was adopted: at the insistence of the liberals, Mexico was declared a federal republic like the United States, while conservatives were able to confirm the status of the Catholic religion as official and the only one permitted in the country and preserve various privileges of the clergy and military, including their non-adherence to civil court.

The first legally elected president of Mexico was M. Guadalupe Victoria (1824–1828). In 1827, the Conservatives rebelled, but were defeated. In 1829, the Liberal Party candidate, Vicente Guerrero, became president, abolishing slavery and reflecting Spain’s latest attempt to regain power in the former colony. Guerrero remained in power for less than a year and was overthrown by conservatives in December 1829. The liberals responded with another coup d'etat and in 1833 transferred power to Santa Ana.

This typical latin american caudillo (leader, dictator) was re-elected five times in the presidency and ruled the country himself or through nominees for 22 years. He provided the country with internal political stability and economic growth, accompanied by the expansion of the middle class. However, the foreign policy of Santa Ana led the country to a national disaster. In the war with the United States, Mexico lost almost two-thirds of its territory - the current North American states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah.

The US territorial claims to Mexico emerged at the very beginning of the 19th century; they took on a threatening character in the late 1820s, when North American settlers began to infiltrate Texas in large numbers. The colonists experienced an acute shortage of labor on their plantations and sought to legalize the slave trade. To this end, in 1836 the Texans separated from Mexico and proclaimed Texas an independent republic, which the United States recognized in 1837. In 1845, the North American Congress adopted a resolution on the incorporation of Texas into the United States as a slave state, and the next year in response to Mexican protests, declared war on it. Santa Ana suffered one defeat after another, until in September 1847 he surrendered the capital and signed the act of surrender.

Under the Guadalupe-Hidalgo peace treaty imposed by the winners, (1848) Mexico gave the United States its northern provinces. This defeat had disastrous consequences for the Mexican economy, not to mention the difficult moral legacy in relations between neighboring countries. But the territorial losses of Mexico did not end there. In 1853, Santa Ana, once again returning to power, sold the Mesilla Valley to the United States under the Gadsden Treaty. In 1854, Governor Guerrero Juan Alvarez and customs chief Ignacio Comonfort rebelled and marched in the town of Ayutla (lying. Ayutla de los Libes) calling for the overthrow of the dictatorship of Santa Ana. The rebellion quickly grew into a revolution, and in 1855 the dictator was expelled from the country.

The period of reform.

The liberal reforms carried out by Benito Juarez (1806–1872) represented the second genuine revolution in the history of Mexico. In his work, Juarez relied on middle-class ideologists - lawyers, journalists, intellectuals, small entrepreneurs who sought to create a democratic federal republic, end the privileges of the clergy and military, ensure the economic prosperity of the state, redistribute the colossal wealth of the church, and, most important, create a class of small owners who can resist the dominance of large landowners and form the backbone of a democratic society. In fact, it was a bourgeois revolution carried out by the Métis.

Juarez introduced reforms of 1855 and 1856 as Minister of Justice. Of these, the so-called. The “law of Juarez”, which abolished the judicial privileges of the military and the clergy, and the “law of Lerdo”, which deprived the church of the right to own land and real estate, with the exception of religious buildings and dwellings of monks. The law leased the land estates of civilian corporations, which, despite the resistance of Juarez, was used to seize Native American communal lands, especially later, in the era of the dictatorship of P. Dias.

The culmination of the reformist activities of the liberals was the adoption of the progressive constitution of 1857, which caused a three-year bloody civil war. In this war, the United States supported Juarez, who became president of Mexico in 1858. England, France and Spain patronized the opposition, who ultimately were defeated. During the war, Juarez took the package of the so-called "Laws on reform," proclaiming the separation of the church from the state and the nationalization of church property, introducing civil marriage, etc. Subsequently, in the early 1870s, these laws were introduced into the constitution.

The main problem of the Juarez government was foreign debt. After the Mexican Congress announced in July 1861 the suspension of payments on foreign debts for two years, the representatives of England, France and Spain signed a convention on armed intervention in Mexico in London. At the beginning of 1862, the combined forces of the three states occupied the most important Mexican ports in order to collect customs duties and compensate for the damage suffered. The United States at that time was absorbed in the civil war and did not have the opportunity to put into practice the Monroe Doctrine. Spain and England soon withdrew their troops from Mexico, Napoleon III moved the expeditionary force to the capital. The French were defeated at the Battle of Pueblo on May 5, 1862 (this date became a national holiday in Mexico). However, the following year, the French strengthened their army, took the capital and, with the support of Mexican conservatives, after a masquerade plebiscite, seated Maximilian of Habsburg on the throne.

The emperor did not abrogate the "reform laws", which removed the conservatives from himself, and at the same time, despite all the attempts, he could not reach a compromise with the opposition of the liberals led by Juarez. In 1866, Napoleon III withdrew troops from Mexico, having more ambitious plans in Europe and also fearing US intervention and the growth of Mexican resistance. The inevitable denouement was not slow in waiting: in 1867 Maximilian was defeated, captured, convicted and executed.

The dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz.

After the death of Juarez in 1872, Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada became president. In 1876, General Porfirio Diaz (1830–1915) rebelled, defeated government troops, entered Mexico City and took power into his own hands. In 1877, by decision of the congress, he became president of Mexico. In 1881, he lost the presidency by one term, but in 1884 he returned to power, which he held for 27 years until his overthrow in 1911.

Diaz began by strengthening his power. To do this, he entered into an agreement with the largest factions of liberals and conservatives, weakened the effect of anti-clerical reforms, which attracted the clergy to his side, and subjugated the army elite and local caudillos. Diaz’s favorite slogan “less politics, more governance” reduced the country's public life to bare administration, i.e. implied an intolerant attitude towards any manifestation of dissent and the absolute power of the dictator, who presented himself as the guarantor of stability, justice and prosperity.

Diaz attached special importance to the economy. Under the slogan “order and progress,” he achieved sustainable economic development of society and began to enjoy the support of a growing bureaucratic apparatus, large landowners, and foreign capital. Profitable concessions encouraged foreign companies to invest in the development of Mexican natural resources. Railways and telegraph lines were built, new banks and enterprises were created. Having become a solvent state, Mexico easily received foreign loans.

This policy was carried out under the influence of a special group in the administrative apparatus of the regime - the so-called sentimentos ("scholars"), who believed that Mexico should be ruled by the Creole elite, and the Métis and Indians assigned a subordinate role. One of the leaders of the group, Jose Limantur, served as Minister of Finance and did a lot for the development of the Mexican economy.

Mexican revolution.

Despite the successes in the development of the economy, the dictatorship of Diaz began to cause growing discontent among the widest sections of the population. The peasantry and representatives of the indigenous population, suffering from the arbitrariness of the landlords, the theft of communal lands and heavy duties, raised uprisings under the slogan "Land and freedom!". The intelligentsia and liberal circles were burdened by the despotic regime of the ruling groups and the power of the church, sought civil rights and freedoms. Mexico's dependence on foreign capital gave rise to demands for the country's economic and foreign policy independence.

An organized struggle against the dictatorship of Diaz began at the turn of 19 and 20. In 1901, opposition circles created the Mexican Liberal Party (MLP), which proclaimed its intention to restore constitutional freedoms. Enrique Flores Magon quickly gained a leading role in the movement, gradually evolving towards anarchist views. Forced to emigrate abroad, he organized the Organizational Junta MLP in the United States, which since 1906 led a series of uprisings and strikes in Mexico, seeking to overthrow the dictator and effect social transformations.

Rise of Madero.

Diaz raised a match to a barrel of gunpowder, giving an interview to American journalist James Krillman, in which he said that Mexico was ripe for democracy, that he was not going to stand for election in 1910 and was ready to allow opposition parties to run for elections. This interview spurred opposition political activity led by Francisco Madero, the offspring of a wealthy landowner.

Madero formed an opposition party of anti-electionists (opponents of re-election). Madero used the experience of his predecessors and formed the opposition party of anti-electionists. In response to Krillman’s interview, he published a book called Presidential Election 1910in which he sharply attacked the militaristic dictatorial regime. The vibrant activity of Madero brought him fame as the "Apostle of Mexican Democracy."

However, Diaz broke his promises, re-nominated himself and was re-elected president. At the same time, he unleashed reprisals against the opposition and imprisoned Madero in prison. Madero managed to escape to the USA, where he prepared a revolutionary rebellion that began on November 20, 1910. The uprising quickly turned into a revolution, and six months later, on May 21, 1911, the government signed an agreement in Ciudad Juarez to dismiss Diaz and create an interim government. On the night of May 24-25, Diaz secretly left the capital and departed for Europe.

In November 1911, Madero was elected president. His short 15-month presidency constituted, one might say, the idealistic phase of the revolution. A well-intentioned but politically inexperienced Madero tried to give Mexico democracy. On this way, he faced many obstacles - such as opposition to Congress; attacks by the press abusing freedom of speech; increasing government dependence on the army; the intrigues of the US ambassador Henry Wilson, who supported opponents of Madero; military riots. Madero was attacked by both conservatives, who feared the revolution would grow, and radical liberals, dissatisfied with the slow progress of the reforms. Colossal forces and resources were taken away by the struggle against rebellions - for example, the uprising of Pasquale Orozco, the former commander of the revolutionary army, or the peasant guerrilla movement in the south of the country under the leadership of Emiliano Zapata (1883–1919). The final blow was the rebellion of the capital's garrison, which began on February 9, 1913. Street battles that lasted for ten days (the so-called “tragic decade”) caused great damage to the city

and caused numerous casualties among the civilian population. The commander of government forces, Victoriano Huerta (1845–1916), a secret conspirator, on February 18 arrested Madero and his vice president, José Pino Suarez. On February 22, they were killed by guards on their way to prison.

Years of war.

The assassination of Madero and the establishment of the military dictatorship of W. Huerta united the various factions of the revolutionaries. The Governor of Cahuil State, Venustiano Carranza (1859–1920), on March 26, 1913, proclaimed the “Guadalupe Plan,” in which he called for the restoration of the constitutional government. The struggle against Huerta was led by General Alvaro Obregon (1880–1928) and the peasant leaders E. Zapata and Francisco (Pancho) Villa (1878–1923). Together, they overthrew the Huerta regime in July 1914. To a certain extent, this was facilitated by the fact that US President Woodrow Wilson refused to recognize the Huerta government.

However, immediately after the victory, the revolutionaries began the struggle for power. In October 1914, in order to reconcile the warring parties, a revolutionary convention was convened in Aguascalientes with the participation of representatives of Villa and Zapata. After making sure that Carranza only cares about maintaining power, the convention appointed a number of performers to carry out social and economic reforms. Most of the congregation demanded that Carranza resign as the “leader of the revolution”, but he refused to do so and moved his headquarters to Veracruz. Releasing a series of revolution

on the basis of decrees, Carranza attracted workers and small landowners to his side. Government forces under the command of Obregon in the spring of 1915 defeated the Northern Villa division in the battles of Selaya and Leon and took control of the central part of the country. Zapata continued to resist in the south until he was killed in 1919. Villa waged a guerrilla war in the north until the overthrow of Carranza in 1920.

Mexican Revolution and the USA.

From the very beginning, the Mexican revolution aroused the concern of the ruling circles of the United States, which had to decide on neutrality, the recognition of new governments, the sale of weapons and the protection of property of US citizens from possible damage. Disappointed in the Diaz regime, the United States maintained a policy of non-intervention during the Madero uprising and recognized him as president. However, the US ambassador to Mexico, Henry Lane Wilson, was constantly intriguing against the new government, supported the rebels and was morally responsible for not being able to prevent Madero’s killings.

President Wilson refused to recognize Worth because he had come to power illegally, killing an opponent. Wilson believed that the non-recognition of the dictator would contribute to his overthrow and the necessary reforms. The direct result of this "outside observer" policy was US armed intervention to prevent the delivery of weapons to the Huerta regime. When a German weapon ship anchored in Veracruz, Wilson ordered the United States Navy to take over the city. These actions, which aroused the indignation of the Mexicans, threatened to lead to war. Only the diplomatic mediation of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile helped prevent a large-scale conflict.

After the fall of the Werta dictatorship, Wilson tried to reconcile the warring factions of the revolutionaries. These attempts failed, and after the defeat of the Northern division of the Villa of the USA, the Carranza government was recognized. In March 1916, Villa’s detachment crossed the US border and raided the border town of Columbus, New Mexico. In response, Wilson sent a punitive expedition against the vilists under the command of General Pershing. However, North Americans met fierce resistance from the Mexicans and, after suffering a series of defeats, in January 1917 began the evacuation of troops from Mexico.

The adoption of the 1917 constitution exacerbated relations between countries, as a number of its articles infringed on the interests of North American companies in Mexico.

Constitution of 1917.

The new Mexican constitution was the main outcome of the revolution. Carranza, who remained the victor, gave the force of law to the reforms promised in his revolutionary decrees. The text of the document basically repeated the provisions of the constitution of 1857, but added to them three fundamentally important articles. Article three provided for the introduction of universal free primary education; Article 27 declared all land, water and subsoil in the territory of Mexico national property, and also declared the need to divide large latifundia and established the principles and procedure for carrying out agrarian reform; Section 123 was an extensive code of labor laws.

Reconstruction Period.

Carranza had the foresight to introduce a provision on agrarian reform into the constitution, although he himself held more conservative views on this issue. In foreign policy, Carranza was guided by some principles put forward earlier, and maintained Mexico's neutrality in the First World War. On the eve of the 1920 election, an uprising began in the state of Sonora under the leadership of the generals Obregon, Adolfo de la Huerta and Plutarko Elias Calles (1877–1945). The rebels moved troops to the capital; Carranza tried to flee, but was captured and shot. Over the next 14 years, Obregon and Calles ruled Mexico: they established peace in the country and began to implement some reforms.

Obregon was the first of the presidents to embody the ideals of the revolution. He distributed 1.1 million hectares of land among the peasants and supported the labor movement. Education Minister José Vasconcelos launched a broad educational program in the countryside and contributed to Mexico's cultural heyday in the 1920s, called the Mexican Renaissance.

Calles became president in 1924 and actually remained in power for ten years. He continued the policy of patronizing the labor movement and distributing the lands of large latifundia. At the same time, many small family farms were created that were trained in modern agricultural technologies. Kales accelerated the implementation of the rural school construction program, launched an irrigation campaign, stimulated road construction, and the development of industry and finance.

The domestic political situation in Mexico during these years was characterized by instability, which was aggravated by contradictions with the United States. Any change of government was accompanied by riots - in 1923–1924, 1927 and 1929. The implementation of the anticlerical program declared in the constitution caused a sharp aggravation of relations between the state and the church. The refusal of the clergy to comply with the constitution led to the closure of church schools, to which the church responded with a temporary cessation of religious worship in churches on August 1, 1926. For three years, from 1926 to 1929 in Mexico, the so-called uprising "kristeros." Church supporters, mostly peasants, killed government emissaries and burned secular schools. The uprising was crushed by government forces.

There were constant diplomatic conflicts with the United States over American oil companies in Mexico. The Buccarelli agreement worked out in 1923 by the joint diplomatic commission resolved a number of the most acute problems and led to the recognition of the Obregon government by the United States.

In violation of previous agreements, the Calles government in 1925 began to prepare a law to enforce article 27 of the 1917 constitution, concerning property and land holdings of American companies. This again aggravated relations between Mexico and the United States. The matter went to the severance of diplomatic relations, if not to armed intervention, which the Mexicans considered inevitable. The situation softened in 1927 when the skilled diplomat Dwight Morrow became the US ambassador to Mexico. Following the course of good neighborly policies proclaimed by Roosevelt, he was able to find a compromise in solving the most acute problems.

The assassination of Obregon in July 1928 during the election campaign created a political vacuum that could only be filled by Calles, and from 1928 to 1934 he actually controlled the country behind the three successive presidents. In general, these were years of conservatism, corruption, economic stagnation and disappointment. Despite everything, 1929 was a record in the number of lands distributed among the peasants; in the same year, the state reached an agreement with the church, and the National Revolutionary Party was created, renamed the Institutional Revolutionary Party in 1946, and in 1931 the government adopted a new code of labor laws.

Continuation of the revolution.

In 1934, during the election of a new president for a six-year term, Calles supported the candidacy of Lazaro Cardenas (1895–1970). During the campaign, Cardenas insisted on his commitment to the ideals of the revolution, traveled all over the country and spoke directly with ordinary people. The new president gradually took full power into his own hands and forced Calles to leave Mexico.

The progressive government of Cardenas launched a broad reform campaign. The reorganization of the army and the ruling party was carried out. Cardenas sharply accelerated the implementation of agrarian reform and distributed more land to the peasants than the previous presidents combined. By 1940, ejido (collective farms) occupied more than half of Mexico's arable land. The trade union movement has revived; An extensive educational program was carried out, which included intensive work among the Indian population. The reform movement reached its peak in 1938, when Cardenas nationalized the property of North American and British oil companies.

1990s and early 2000s.

By 1940, Cardenas concluded that the country needed a respite in order to consolidate the transformation. Therefore, in the presidential election, he supported the candidacy of General Manuel Avilo Camacho (1897–1955), a man of moderately conservative views. The new president favored the church, patronized private land ownership, and placed Fidel Velazquez at the head of the trade union movement, who shared his views in many ways. In 1942, he signed a number of agreements with the United States and settled the conflict that arose in 1938 in connection with the nationalization of the oil industry. In response, the United States pledged to provide financial assistance in stabilizing the Mexican peso, building roads and industrializing the country.

The Second World War had a significant impact on the development of the country. Mexico became an ally of the anti-Hitler coalition and declared war on the Axis countries. She participated in the guard service, supplied the allies with raw materials and labor, three hundred Mexican pilots served at air bases in the Philippine Islands, and later in Taiwan. US financial and technological assistance allowed Mexico to modernize railways and industry. Mexico was forced to develop its own production in part because of the war it lost European imports. The war raised world prices, created favorable conditions for trade, and allowed Mexico to accumulate foreign exchange reserves that were aimed at the needs of industrialization. Finally, the war brought Mexico to the arena of world politics, helped it to get rid of the provincial complex, and increased the country's international prestige.

In 1946–1952, Mexico was ruled by Miguel Aleman, the first civilian president after Madero. Under him, the political influence of big capital increased, agreements were signed with the church and with foreign investors, and friendly relations with the United States were consolidated. The main efforts of the Aleman government were directed to the implementation of programs of industrialization, industrial development of regions, irrigation, and the introduction of modern agricultural technologies. It was a period of economic growth, grandiose public projects, large-scale construction.

The excessive projects and promises of Aleman and the erupted economic crisis created considerable difficulties for President Adolfo Ruiz Cortines (1952–1958). However, the president managed to restore the pace of development of the Mexican economy and curb corruption. He focused on the modernization of ports and maritime transport. Under him, the distribution of land to peasants resumed, and social assistance to workers expanded.

The policy of Cortines was continued by Adolfo Lopez Mateos (1958–1964). He widely promoted the concept of Mexican identity at home and abroad, restrained extremism, initiated tax reform, nationalized energy and film industry enterprises, accelerated land reform, and launched an 11-year rural education development program.

Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, president from 1964-1970, maintained a moderate course, tacking between conservative and reformist tendencies both in the country and in the ruling party. During his reign, production was developing at an extremely fast pace, with an annual increase in gross national product of 6.5%. Per capita incomes have risen sharply. However, the inadequate distribution of material wealth did not allow to effectively solve problems in the field of education and social security of a rapidly growing population. In 1967, the largest one-time distribution of land in the history of Mexico was carried out - 1 million hectares. At the same time, behind the facade of economic successes, social tension grew, which resulted in student unrest in the summer and autumn of 1968. The shooting of a peaceful student demonstration on Three Cultures Square on October 2, 1968, resulting in hundreds of victims, made a glaring contrast with the festivities surrounding the opening of the Olympic Games in same month. In 1969, the first metro lines were opened in Mexico City. In August 1970, Diaz Ordaz settled all border disputes between the two countries with US President Richard Nixon.

Luis Echeverria Alvarez was elected president in 1970. In 1973, his government passed a law on strict control of foreign investment in Mexico. Echeverria strengthened Mexico's ties with other Latin American countries, primarily with Cuba, Peru and Chile. In 1972, Mexico established diplomatic relations with China.

The election of José Lopez Portillo (1976–1982) to the presidency coincided with the discovery of large oil fields in the states of Chiapas and Tabasco and on the shelf of Campeche Bay. Between 1976 and 1982, Mexico tripled oil production and became one of the leading oil producing countries. Jumping oil prices brought enormous profits to the country, which were supplemented by large loans, mainly from US banks, against guarantees of income from oil sales.

The Mexican oil boom ended in 1981 with falling oil prices and lower oil sales. By the summer of 1982, the country could no longer make the necessary payments on foreign loans. At the same time, wealthy Mexicans exported a huge amount of currency outside the country, washing out the foreign exchange reserves needed for imports. In this situation, Lopez Portillo took a series of emergency measures. He nationalized banks and established strict control over their foreign operations, received long-term loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and credit banks, carried out a 75 percent devaluation of the Mexican peso, and sharply reduced the cost of maintaining the state apparatus and import. As a result, Mexico entered a period of economic depression.

In December 1982, Lopez Portillo was replaced by the IRP candidate Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado as president. He began the fight against corruption and instituted criminal proceedings against the two most corrupt senior officials of the previous administration. At the same time, he did not touch either Lopez Portillo himself or the bureaucratic apparatus of the IPR and the union leaders associated with it. Following the recommendations of the IMF, de la Madrid and his Minister of Budget Planning, Carlos Salinas de Gortari, pursued a tough financial policy initiated by the previous president.

In the 1988 presidential election, there was a sharp rivalry between Carlos Salinas de Gortari and Quautemoc Cardenas, who had left the IRP a year earlier, creating the National Democratic Front. Despite the controversial election results, Salinas was proclaimed president. In order to mitigate the effects of the financial crisis, he developed a program for the protection of the poor, called the National Solidarity Program. In particular, it provided for the cooperation of the central government with representatives of local authorities, who themselves determined the priorities in the economic development of their territories. Salinas generously subsidized this program ($ 1.3 billion by 1993).

Salinas pursued a policy of rapprochement with the Roman Catholic Church, which for a long time was considered the enemy of the revolution. He invited church hierarchs to his presidential inauguration, restored relations with the Vatican, softened the anti-clerical provisions of the constitution, invited Pope John Paul II to participate in the opening of a charity project in the slums of Mexico City. All these symbolic gestures were designed to win over the Mexican Catholics, who constitute the vast majority of the country's population.

In November 1993, Mexico and the United States signed the Free Trade Regime Agreement (NAFTA). The agreement was supposed to revitalize the Mexican economy and create additional jobs for Mexicans. At the end of the year, Salinas announced the successor to the presidency of the candidate for the IRP, Luis Donaldo Colosio. Mexico has been invited to join member countries of the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) - an informal organization that includes the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and 11 Asian countries, holds annual trade advisory councils.

In 1992, the ruling IRP managed to win the majority of governor posts in a sharp struggle with the conservative National Action Party and the left PDR created by K. Kardenas. The opposition managed to defeat only Chihuahua and Guanajuato. She accused the ruling party of rigging the vote. Under public pressure, Congress passed constitutional amendments in August 1993 that democratized the electoral system.

After 14 months of negotiations, the US and Mexican governments signed an agreement to create a free trade zone. On January 1, 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) entered into force. In accordance with it, Mexico has pledged to liberalize its market for North American financial transactions, to open access for companies from the USA and Canada to their telecommunications, to remove restrictions on the activities of joint ventures, etc. The greatest indignation of the peasants was caused by the fact that the Mexican authorities, contrary to the previous provisions of the constitution, recognized the possibility of alienation, purchase and division of communal lands. On January 1, 1994, the Zapatista National Liberation Army (SANO), a political and political organization based on the Indian population of Chiapas, raised a rebellion in the state, demanding recognition of land rights, providing opportunities for the development of Indian culture, social and economic progress in the region, and widespread democratization. SANO forces occupied a number of settlements, but were pushed back by government forces. Killed at least 145 people. Human rights activists accused the army of numerous executions and arrests. Subsequently, active hostilities in the state ceased and grew into a kind of "low-intensity war."

The opposition public demanded a political settlement of the conflict, but negotiations on this subject, despite some progress, were generally ineffective.

On the eve of the 1994 general elections, an amendment to the constitution was adopted, which expanded the possibilities of public control over the elections. The opposition was admitted to the media. Equal opportunities for campaign financing were provided. Disagreements in the ruling circles of Mexico were growing. In March 1994, the presidential candidate of the IRP, Luis Donaldo Colosio, was killed (later, in August of the same year, the general secretary of the IRP was killed). President Salinas has appointed economist Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon as the new candidate. For the first time, television debates were held between the main contenders for the presidency. In July 1994, Zedillo was elected head of state, receiving 50.2% of the vote; PND candidate Diego Fernandez de Sevallos got almost 27% of the vote, K. Kardenas from the PDR - over 17%. The IRP managed to maintain a large majority in both houses of Congress.

Upon assuming the presidency, Zedillo faced an acute monetary and financial crisis, a fall in the value of the Mexican peso and the flight of capital from the country. In early 1995, an economic downturn followed; more than 250 thousand people lost their jobs (in the first half of 1995, 2.4 million jobs were lost). The government devalued the national currency, introduced price controls, froze salaries and announced a new privatization program. The United States provided $ 18 billion in aid to Mexico and $ 20 billion in loan guarantees, the IMF and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development - $ 28 billion. The authorities then increased the value added tax, fuel and electricity prices, and cut government expenses and limited salary growth. As a result, the Zedillo government was able to reduce inflation, overcome the trade deficit, and in 1996, achieve GNP growth and begin to repay loan debts. It promised to allocate significant funds to combat poverty. In 1999, the IMF provided Mexico with a 17-month loan of more than $ 4 billion, which was a prerequisite for further international loans of almost $ 20 billion.

As for the crisis in Chiapas, Zedillo promised to guarantee the rights of the Indians and help the development of the region, but refused to carry out reforms throughout the country, primarily land.

Political scandals continued to shock the ruling IRP. Relatives of former President Salinas were charged with involvement in the murder of the IRP Secretary General, corruption, theft and abuse during privatization and received many years in prison. A number of high-ranking police officers and army officers were put on trial for communication with the drug mafia.

In the parliamentary and local elections in July 1997, the IRP lost its majority in the Chamber of Deputies for the first time. Opposition DAs and PNDs gained several seats more than the ruling party. The first direct mayor’s elections were won by the leader of the Democratic Party, K. Kardenas, who collected more than 47% of the vote, and the PND won the election of governors in the states of Nuevo Leon and Queretaro. Thus, the IRP retained power in 25 states, and the PND - in 6. The IRP lost its votes in the municipal elections.

In subsequent years, the power system of the IRP continued to erode, the party lost several more governor posts. In 1999, a coalition of the DA and the Left Labor Party won gubernatorial elections in Southern Baja California; the opposition also won in Nayarit. As a result, the IRP retained power in only 21 states. The government’s decline in popularity was also facilitated by the violent suppression of the university strike in 2000. In order to attract the sympathy of voters, the party decided to abolish the practice of appointing a presidential candidate by presidential decree and introduce a system of internal party elections.

Mexico in the 21st century

The general election in 2000 radically changed the political situation in the country. The IRP first lost power in Mexico. Its presidential candidate, Francisco Labastida, gained just 36.1% of the vote, losing to VNCente Fox, candidate of the PNA and Greens bloc, who received 42.5% of the vote. K. Kardenas, nominated by the DA, PT and a number of small left-wing parties, won 16.6%, Gilberto Rincon (Social Democracy party) - 1.6%, Manuel Camacho (Democratic Center Party) - 0.6% and Porfirio Muñoz from the Genuine Party of the Mexican Revolution - 0.4%. However, the coalition that came to power failed to get the vast majority of seats in Congress.

The IRP again lost the mayor’s election and lost the post of governor of Chiapas.

The President of Mexico since 2000 has been Vicente Fox Quesada. He was born in 1942, studied management at Mexico City and Harvard University, then worked at the Coca-Cola concern, where he was responsible for work in Central America, and founded an agricultural firm and his own factory. In 1987 he joined the conservative National Action Party. In 1988, Fox was elected to Congress, and in 1995 won gubernatorial elections in the state of Guanajuato.

Upon assuming the presidency, Vicente Fox promised a dramatic change. But by 2003, he had not managed to achieve his program and promises: to privatize the energy sector, agree on liberalization of Mexican migration to the United States, create 1 million new jobs and resolve the conflict in Chiapas. The ruin of the peasantry, suffering from the influence of NAFTA, continued. As a result, during the 2003 parliamentary elections, the ruling PND lost a quarter of the vote and about 70 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, and the IRP again took first place.

On July 10, 2006, the next presidential election was held in Mexico. The candidate from the ruling National Action Party, Felipe Calderon, won with 35.88% of the vote. 35.31% of voters voted for his main rival, the leader of the opposition Party of the Democratic Revolution (DA) Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

December 1, 2006 Felipe Calderona took office. He began a decisive fight against drug crime. The largest drug cartels in Mexico are Los Zetas, which controls the eastern part of the country, and Sinaloa, which operates in the western part. To capture the leaders of the underworld, the Mexican army carried out special operations that led to certain successes. So, in 2011 a number of leaders and leading figures of the Los Zetas cartel were detained, however, it was premature to talk about victory over him.

Despite the active intervention of the army, crime in the country grew, although it somewhat stabilized. A wave of bloodshed swept through the country. During the six years of Calderon’s presidency, several tens of thousands of people died during this struggle. At the same time, we must not forget that the creation of an anti-terrorist and anti-drug system in Mexico is carried out by the United States law enforcement agencies. And Vicente Fox, and then, Felipe Calderon, followed and adhere to the pro-American course on almost all fundamental issues of domestic and foreign policy.

Mexican ruling circles believed that such a strategic and tactical course towards the United States would provide the country with a rise to the level of highly developed states and solve the problems of socio-economic development. However, the rapprochement with its northern neighbors was accompanied by an aggravation of the domestic political situation, and the global financial crisis of 2008-2009 exacerbated the difficult position of Mexico in the global economy.

Per capita income is about three times lower than in the United States; income distribution remains extremely uneven.

Mexico’s new president, Enrique Peña Nieto, a candidate from the Institutional Revolutionary Party, elected to this post on July 1, 2012 (38.21% of the vote) is also likely to pursue pro-American politics. The official assumption of office took place on December 1, 2012.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, representative of the Party for Democratic Revolution (PDR), took second place with 31.59% of the vote. Obrador did not recognize the election results, considering them unfair. This is not the first time that a candidate from the Democratic Revolution Party does not recognize the results of the vote: the 2006 presidential election ended with a campaign launched after their end by Lopez Obrador, demanding a recount. The leftist candidate claimed that it was he, and not Felipe Calderon, who became president, who won the election and that the election results were the result of fraud, falsification and bribery. The politician is opposed to the course of Mexican liberals on military cooperation with the United States, insisting on the priority of trade and economic relations. He is going to cancel those Calderon agreements with the US administration that he considers humiliating for national sovereignty.

According to official figures, over the past 6 years in the country, more than 47.5 thousand people died in wars with the drug mafia; unofficial sources cite a much larger figure. Enrique Peña Nieto intends to significantly increase the costs of creating new units in law enforcement agencies, in particular the National Gendarmerie, following the example of Italy, France and Colombia to combat organized crime. Its number will be 40 thousand people. In addition, the staff of the Mexican federal police, created specifically to combat the drug mafia, will be increased by another 35 thousand people.

Enrique Peña Nieto intends to reform the energy sector and modernize the country's oil industry with private capital.

Literature:

Volsky A. History of Mexican Revolutions. M. - L., 1928
  Wayan J. Aztec History. M., 1949
  Parks G. History of mexico. M., 1949
  Garza M. Notes on Higher Education in Mexico. - Bulletin of the higher school, 1958, No. 5
Essays on the new and recent history of Mexico. 1810–1945. M., 1960
  Fried N. Graphics Mexico. M., 1960
  Mashbits Y.G. Mexico. M., 1961
  Kinzhalov R.V. Art of ancient mexico. M., 1962
  Zhadova L. Monumental painting of mexico. M., 1965
  Simakov Yu. Mexico Olympic. M., 1967
Mexico. Politics. Economy. Culture. M., 1968
  Lavretsky I. Juarez. M., 1969
  Klesmet O.G. Mexico. M., 1969
  Kuteishchikova V.N. Mexican romance. M., 1971
  Alperovich M.S. The birth of the Mexican state. M., 1972
  Gulyaev V.I. . Idols hide in the jungle. M., 1972
  Lavrov N.M. Mexican Revolution 1910–1917. M., 1972
  Kirichenko E.I. Three Centuries of Latin American Art. M., 1972
The musical culture of Latin America. M., 1974
  Pichugin P.A. Mexican song. M., 1977
  Portillo G.L. Physical Education and Sports in Mexico. - Theory and practice of physical education, 1978, No. 8
  Gulyaev V.I. . Cities-states of Maya.  M., 1979
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Soviet-Mexican relations. 1917-1980. Sat of documents. M., 1981
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Mexico: trends in economic and socio-political development.  M., 1983
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History of Latin American Literature, T. 1., M., 1985; T. 2, M., 1988; T. 3, M., 1994
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Essays on the history of Latin American art.M., 1997
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  - country in North America. In the north and east it borders with the United States of America, in the south - with Belize and Guatemala. In the east it is washed by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, in the west - by the Pacific Ocean. The state also owns several coastal islands.

The name of the country comes from the name of the capital, which originates from the name of the supreme Aztec god - Mexitli.

Official name:   Mexican united states

Capital: Mexico city

The area of \u200b\u200bthe land:   1.95 million square meters Km

Total population: 112.5 million people

Administrative division: The state is a federation of 31 states and the capital federal district.

Form of government:   A republic with a federal government.

Head of State: President, elected for a term of 5 years.

Composition of the population: 60% are mestizos, 30% are Indians, 10% are descendants of Europeans.

Official language:   Spanish, in the resort areas English, French and German are widely spoken, in the province they are practically not used. In addition, local ethnic groups speak their native languages \u200b\u200b(Nahuatl, Maya, Otomi, Zapotec, Mikstek, Totonak, Taraskos, Purepecha, etc. - about 59 local dialects).

Religion: 89% are Catholics, 10% are Protestants.

Internet domain: .mx

Mains voltage: ~ 127 V, 60 Hz

Country Phone Code: +52

Country Barcode: 750

Climate

In northern Mexico, the climate is subtropical, in the rest of the country it is tropical. On the coastal plains it is humid and hot. In the Acapulco area on the Pacific coast, daytime temperatures throughout the year do not fall below +30 degrees, and nighttime temperatures range from 21 to 24 degrees Celsius. On the coast of the Caribbean - a little cooler. During the winter months, the air warms up to +24 degrees, and in the summer to +31 degrees, at night about 19 degrees of heat is observed in the winter, and 25 degrees of heat in the summer.

In the central elevated regions of Mexico, the maximum temperatures are observed in April and May - +27 degrees, and at night in the same months the air cools to +11 .. + 13 degrees. In winter, daytime air temperatures rise to +21 degrees, at night about 7 degrees of heat is noted.

In Mexico, altitudinal zonation is well-defined - at altitudes in the northern part of the country in winter the temperature can drop below 0 degrees. During the dry and wet periods, the temperatures do not differ much, but the amount of precipitation and air humidity vary widely.

The rainy season lasts from May to October, during which powerful tropical cyclones often appear. The most arid region is considered the north of the country - about 250 mm of precipitation falls here per year. The greatest amount of precipitation is observed in the southern regions - up to 1,500 mm, and in the summer during the wet season, about 300-400 mm per month can fall.

The water temperature on the Pacific coast in summer rises to +27 degrees, and on average over the year it is + 25 degrees. The waters of the Caribbean are a little warmer - in summer, the water temperature here is + 29 degrees.

Geography

Mexico is located in the south of North America. It is washed by the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. The total area of \u200b\u200bthe country is 1.96 million square meters. km, which includes a number of islands. Most of it is occupied by the Mexican highlands with average heights of about 2000 m. The highlands are surrounded by mountain ranges.

In Mexico, there are 350 active volcanoes, among which is the highest point in the country - Orisaba (5700 m). Near the capital of the country - Mexico City - there are 2 active volcanoes - Popocatepetl and Istaxiuatl. In the north of the country stretches a desert zone, and in the south - tropical rainforests. The coastal regions of the west and east are occupied by sandy plains.

The Yucatán Peninsula is also flat, with average heights of 30 m. The largest river in Mexico is the Rio Bravo del Norte, better known as the Rio Grande. It flows along the US-Mexican border. In the west of the country is the largest lake in the country - Napala.

Flora and fauna

  Vegetable world

Coniferous forests grow in the mountains in the north of the country, cacti, yucca, agave and mesquite in the arid regions of the south, and tropical forests of palm trees, rubber trees and olive trees in humid areas.

  Animal world

In the northern regions there are wild cats, a meadow dog, a kangaroo rat, coyotes, a puma, and a pronghorn antelope are found. In mixed forests - black bear, lynx. The fauna of the southern part is rich: monkeys, jaguar, tapir, ocelots, bakers, anteater, marsupial possum, wood porcupine.

The world of birds is diverse - hummingbirds, parrots, toucans, an umbrella bird, vultures. The reptiles are plentiful: iguanas, a basilisk, a poisonous puffer, turtles, snakes, lizards.

Shrimps, spiny lobsters, crabs and oysters are fished in the seas surrounding Mexico. Seals are found on the coast. A large number of different types of birds.

sights

The magnificent nature, beautiful beaches and snow volcanoes, a rich history with the archaeological sites of the Aztecs, Mayans, colonial palaces, many paradises, attracting tourists with the warmth of gentle waves and the cordiality of the inhabitants, and all this splendor at relatively low prices for goods and services, especially in the province - all this is modern Mexico.

The true monuments of antiquity in Mexico are the Mayan pyramids. There are many of them in the country, but only a few are accessible for visiting, since many pyramids are buried under a layer of earth or covered with dense tropical vegetation, so at first glance they are simply green hills.

The most famous and most ancient structures are the pyramids of Teotihuacan, where the two largest pyramids are well preserved - the Sun (225 m at the base and 65 m high) and the Moon (about 150 m at the base and 42 m high), as well as the temple the most "popular" of the Mayan gods - Quetzalcoatl. The structures are located in the same way as the three stars in the Belt of Orion, i.e., in exactly the same way as the three great pyramids in Giza).

The Cholula pyramid is the largest in the world, in terms of volume it exceeded the Cheops pyramid (now most of the pyramid is destroyed).

Another impressive group of pyramids - Mitle and Monte Albana - is located near the city of Oaxaca, and the oldest pyramidal structures in the Toltec capital - Tula, are surrounded by strange multi-toned stone heads of mysterious creatures.

And such places as Chichen Itza, Palenque, Tahin, Tikal, Shkaret, Shel-Ha, Mayanpan, Mitla and Uxmal are simply priceless monuments of ancient civilizations.

Tourists also expect first-class resorts of the country of Cancun, Playa de Carmen, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Masatlan, Huatulco and others.

Banks and Currency

New peso (international designation - MXP), equal to 100 centavos (cents). In 1993, the banknote was denominated - 1,000 “old” pesos correspond to 1 “new” peso. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 pesos and coins in 50, 20, 10 and 5 centavos. New money differs from old ones in size and appearance. Prices in the new pesos are marked with NP $. The "$" sign is used for both pesos and the US dollar (only in US dollars - US $ or USD).

Currency exchange can be made at banks, large hotels, airports (usually the best rate) or specialized casas de cambio exchange points. Often there are difficulties with the exchange of shabby bills or banknotes of the old series.

Most hotels, restaurants, shops and travel agencies accept credit cards from leading global systems and traveller's checks (preferably in US dollars). A network of ATMs is widely developed in resort areas.

US dollars are also accepted almost everywhere (the rate is not the most favorable). When exchanging, care should be taken - there are attempts of calculation.

Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays (some bank branches work even until 24 p.m. or until 1 p.m.), and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Sunday is a day off. Some bank branches in resort areas are also open from 16.00 to 18.00, on Saturday from 10.00 to 13.30 and from 16.00 to 18.00, and also on Sunday from 10.00 to 13.30.

Useful information for tourists

We recommend lightweight clothing made from natural fabrics, sportswear for excursions, a hat and sunglasses, as well as sunscreen. In most hotels, a cocktail dress is preferable for women, pants and a shirt for men. For tourists visiting Mexico City, a light cardigan or jacket is required for cool evenings.

Traditional souvenirs - a variety of silverware, carpets and handmade fabrics, ponchos and wraps “sarape”, sombrero, leather goods, masks and figures made of wood, ceramics, products from obsidian and onyx.

Tipping, as a rule, is 10% of the value indicated on the invoice. It is customary to tip in a restaurant (up to 15%), a porter (in the amount of 1-2 US dollars), a driver and a guide for the tour.

Mexico is one of the most visited countries in the world by tourists. And this is not surprising. Rich Mexican traditions have been preserved here, the local population is distinguished by kindness and hospitality, the nature of the country is very beautiful, and the food is tasty and varied.

The original peoples of Mexico were olmecs, Toltecs, Maya  and   Aztecswho created their grand civilizations. In the early 1500s, Hernando Cortes made this country a Spanish colony for three centuries. And only on September 16, 1810 the Mexican Republic was established.

Mexico is located in the southern part of the continent of North America and is washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, bordered in the north by the United States, and in the south by Guatemala and Belis.

Climate and weather

Mexico is divided into two climatic zones - tropical and temperate. Four main high-altitude zones are distinguished here, depending on the features of the relief.

The hot belt includes the foothills of the mountains and coastal areas, characterized by high temperatures in summer and winter, as well as a rainy summer-autumn period. The warm belt is located at an altitude of 1000 to 1500 meters and is characterized by a moderately hot climate. At altitudes from 1,500 to 2,700 meters, there is a cool belt, it occupies a significant part of Mexico and is characterized by moderately warm summers and cool winters with frosts. The frost belt is located at an altitude of more than 2700 meters.

Monthly average temperatures fluctuate throughout the year 10-30 ° C. Most precipitation falls between June and September.

Perhaps there is no time that would not be suitable for visiting Mexico. Although it is still worth considering that the coastal and low-lying regions of the country are quite hot and humid from May to September, and its continental part has a more temperate climate. Sometimes it is quite cool in the north from November to February. In fact, everyone will be able to choose comfortable conditions for themselves at any time of the year.

July and August are the most popular months for traveling around Mexico, both for foreigners and for the Mexicans themselves. The period from mid-December to early January is also popular. Locals love to travel the week before and after Easter. During these periods, coastal resorts are filled with crowds of tourists, and housing prices in popular areas are rising.

Nature

Mexico has diverse nature - here you will find everything: from marshy terrain to the desert, from tropical vegetation to alpine meadows. Most of the country's territory is located at an altitude of more than 1000 m. Central regions are represented Mexican highlands, which is surrounded by mountain ranges in the west and east. The highest point in the country is the volcano Orisaba  (5700 m). Northern Mexico - Plateau North Mesa  - arid and sparsely populated. Mountains stretch along the local coast.

In the country there are more than 350 volcanoes. Another natural object associated with geological activity is the marine geyser La bufadora  off the coast of the gulf of mexico.

There are more rivers in the southeast of the country than in the northwest. The largest rivers:

• Rio Grande
• Lerma;
• Balsas.

The biggest lake is Chapala.

sights

In the cities of Mexico preserved ancient palaces, monasteries, churches and public buildings. Significant influence on the local architecture had the Spanish government.

Mexico city  - The capital of the country, as well as its main tourist center. There are many attractions and famous museums (anthropological, historical and others). Take a look at the museum of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, known as " Blue house". Also worth a visit Presidential palace  and Cortes Palacebuilt in the 16th century on the square Cok. The ground floor of this building is decorated with frescoes by Diego Riviera.

Another Cortes Palace is located in the city Cuernavaca, 100 km from the capital. It is considered the oldest civil construction in both the Americas, North and South. Now it houses the Historical Museum.

In 1999, the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List Campeche  - The capital of the state of the same name. Do not miss the opportunity to see here:

• 17th century fortifications;
• bastion of St. Carlos;
• earthen gate;
• port of St. Miguel.

Mexico is a country of great and mysterious civilizations, traces of which have been preserved mainly in the central mountainous regions and on the peninsula Yucatan. The true monuments of history are   pyramidsand the ruins of ancient settlements.

Arriving in Mexico, be sure to visit the Aztec city Teotihuacanwhich is located 50 km from Mexico City. This archaeological complex is one of the best complexes preserved on the Earth from ancient Native American cultures.

Chichen Itza  - Mayan capital. It is located 180 km from Cancun and 140 km from Merida. The date of construction of the complex is 430-1400 years BC. It is one of the largest ceremonial centers of the Mayan culture with numerous monuments.

Nutrition

In Mexico, an unthinkable number of cafes and restaurants. There Mexicans have breakfast and lunch and dinner - women in the cities of this country rarely stand behind the stove.

Corn is the main ingredient in Mexican cuisine. No breakfast, lunch or dinner is complete without a basket of hot cornmeal tortillas. You can buy everywhere in Mexico tacos, which are prepared from the same cakes topped with beef, pork or fish. Other common antojitos  (snacks) based on corn:

• tamales (banana leaves or banana ears soaked in various spicy sauces);
• quesadillas (fried tortillas stuffed with cheese and vegetables);
• flautas (wrapped like cigars, flat cakes stuffed with chicken and deep-fried).

Naughty salsaoften served in earthenware bowls is another essential dish on any Mexican table. Fresh fish and shellfish are the main delicacies here. Vegetarians in Mexico are worth a try nopales, juicy and slightly mucous leaves of prickly pear cactus, as well as various types of mushrooms. Also look for exotic fruits such as zapote  (sapodilla) and tuna  (cactus fruits).

Tequila, mezcal and rum are popular among local spirits. From beer - Corona and Sol with a light and refreshing taste. And of course, Mexican coffee liqueur Kaluaknown throughout the world.

Residence

Hotels in Mexico are plentiful, ranging from modest guesthouses to major international chains. There are many mid-priced establishments in the country. They are usually clean, comfortable and can range from strictly functional complexes to restored historic buildings. Each hotel in Mexico has strictly approved rates for high and low season. In addition, many of them offer substantial off-season discounts. The average cost of a double room is 65 $   per day.

In large resorts such as Cancun, all-inclusive hotels are popular. Here, as a rule, the price includes all dishes, snacks, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks (locally produced), as well as all kinds of entertainment programs and outdoor activities.

The most enjoyable and relaxing places to stay in Mexico are cabanaslocated in the suburbs, for example:

• in the jungle Lacandon Chiapas;
• on the islands of Lake Patzcuaro in Michoacan;
• on top of the Nevado de Toluca (volcanic peak west of Mexico City).

All of them are built of wood, but the style and level of comfort is different - from a village hut without electricity and bedding to comfortable bungalows with a fireplace, kitchen and hammocks. Prices for accommodation here start from 16 $   per day.

For youth and budget travel in large cities and major tourist places there are hostels - rooms for 4-20 people, with a shared bathroom and kitchen. The cost of living in them varies from 7   before 20 $   in a day.

Travelers can also settle on ranches or farms in the owner's family, subsequently taking part in daily labor and grazing cattle, as well as receiving cooking classes.

Fun and relaxation

Mexico is a country of vibrant festivals that are held everywhere. Centuries-old traditions are alive here, and each holiday has its own characteristics.

Instrumental ensembles are widely distributed throughout the country. mariachi. As a rule, they include two violins, a six-stringed guitar, a small five-stringed lute - haranita and a large bass guitar - a guitarron. The musicians are dressed in elegant national clothes: they wear a white shirt with a black tie, tight leather pants with a faja - a strip of fabric wrapped around the belt, and a constant sombrero on the head.

Each Mexican province has its own song-dance genres and folklore performances:

• sandunga from Teuantepek;
• chiapakenas from Chiapas;
• harana from Okatan;
• wapango and bamboo from Veracruz.

You can also get to the performance of the "carp" - a traveling circus tent.

The most popular sports in the country are football, baseball, horse racing, high-alai.

In Mexico City, there are two bullring, one of them is the largest in the world.

Mexico boasts fantastic beaches located on both coasts. Acapulco, Cancunand Celestun  - resorts that you will remember for a long time. It has a wonderful climate, beautiful nature and well-developed infrastructure.

Purchases

Bring a piece of Mexico home - buy a local souvenir. This can be done in the villages where they are produced, as well as in shops and in city markets. A large selection of handicrafts collected throughout Mexico is presented in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, San Miguel de Allende, Puebla. There are markets that specialize in selling souvenirs. Prices there will be lower than in the store.

For the purchase of daily necessities, hypermarkets, shopping centers, supermarkets are suitable. In the center of big cities you can find old shops with a special atmosphere.

The most popular home purchases from Mexico: ceramics, masks, wood products, jewelry, metal work, textiles, bags, wicker baskets, traditional design clothing, musical instruments.

Shops are usually open from 9:00 to 20:00, Monday through Saturday. In the south, especially in small towns, some shops are closed for siesta from 14:00 to 16:00, and on Saturday only work until lunch.

Transport

All major and some small cities have airports. Domestic flights are a good alternative to a long bus ride. Aeromexico  - The main airline in the country. There are still many small carriers that carry out mainly flights between small settlements.

Passenger ferries run between:

• Santa Rosalia and Guyamas;
• La Paz and Mazatlan;
• La Paz and Topolobampo.

A ferry service also connects the Yucatan Peninsula with the islands.

Mexico has good roads and a highly developed network of bus routes. Most cities have one central station for long-distance buses. There are several classes of service:

• de lujo (comfortable buses with a video screen, drinks and snacks, air conditioning and a toilet);
• primera clase (differs from the premium in more frequent stops);
• segunda clase (connecting small cities and towns, a slow and cheap way to travel, tickets are sold at the conductor).

The cost of a trip in first grade is around 5-7 $   in an hour.

In the country right-handed  traffic The permissible speed varies from 80 to 120 km / h on highways, from 30 to 50 km / h in settlements. Safety belts must be fastened to both the driver and passengers. There are many one-way roads in cities.

City buses are called camiones. A trip to them will cost about $ 0.4. In Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey there is a metro.

In 2000, passenger rail services were stopped with one exception - from Chihuahua to the Pacific Ocean to Copper canyon. This is one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world.

Communication

Long distance calling in Mexico is inexpensive, but international calls can significantly empty your wallet. Calls from the hotel are the most disadvantageous way of communication, the rates for them are very high.

There are three main mobile operators in the country: Telcel, IUSACell, Movistar. SIM card cost - from 16 $ . At Telcel the widest coverage network and many points of sale, one of them is located at the Mexico City Airport. Also, the cards of this operator can be purchased at newsstands and minimarkets.

Casetas, cabinas and locutorio are public telephone points that can be found by the corresponding sign on the sign. This is much more profitable than calling from a pay phone. In addition, the noise of the streets will not interfere with your conversation.

Cards for street payphones can be purchased at kiosks and minimarkets in denominations of $ 2.5, 4 and 8. A minute of conversation will cost on average 2 $ .

In Mexico, more than a thousand Internet cafes, an hour of using network access will cost 1 $ . Many hotels offer their guests computers with an Internet connection and Wi-Fi services. Access points, including free ones, can also be found at airports, bars and cafes.

Security

Mexico has a fairly high crime rate and police corruption. Therefore, when traveling here, be especially careful to observe safety precautions. Then you can minimize the risk of unpleasant situations.

Crime problems exist in Mexico City, Acapulco, Monterrey and cities along the US border (for example, Nuevo Lareda, Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez). Thefts occur most often in poor neighborhoods of megalopolises and northern border cities. Do not leave your things unattended, especially on the beach - you may not find them when you return after the next swim. Particular care must be taken with a taxi in Mexico City.

Watch your health. Use insect repellents to prevent malaria and dengue. Hepatitis A is common in Mexico, so be careful what you drink and eat.

The country is located in a seismically dangerous area. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common here. The most famous of them are Popocatepetl ("smoking mountain") and Ixtasiouatl ("white mother").

Business climate

In Mexico, the largest number of exhibition centers are located in Mexico City- there are 4. In Guadalajara, Acapulco, Pueblo, Leone, Monterrey and Cancun - 1 each.

Mexico is one of the main oil producing and oil exporting countries in the world. Leading industries: mining, petroleum, petrochemicals, metallurgy, construction, textile, food and machinery.

Basic taxes: income tax - 3-28%, income tax - 30%, VAT - 16%.

The property

Here, real estate is much cheaper than in many other resort countries, for example, in France, Cyprus or Italy. But in addition to attractive housing prices, Mexico can also offer excellent weather almost all year round and snow-white beaches.

The most popular places to buy property in Mexico are, first of all, the resort areas, the city of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula, Acapulco and Los Cabos (the prices here are the highest in the country).

In Mexico, there are residential complexes for people with the most varied income levels: from apartments to luxurious mansions on the coastline.

A two-bedroom condominium costs $ 100,000, an apartment of the same size in the new complex will cost $ 300,000. A 3-4 bedroom house is available for $ 750,000.

It should be noted that foreign citizens are forbidden to buy real estate in the "closed zone", that is, in areas located less than 10 km from the border, 50 km from the coastline and on island territories. But, despite this, it is still legal to buy housing on the coast. To do this, use the system Fideicomiso  - trust fund. Three parties are involved in buying a home: seller, fictitious buyer, and real buyer. Real estate is registered to a fictitious buyer, although the real owner is not him. The certificate of ownership, as a rule, is kept in the bank, and trust funds act as a fictitious buyer.

In other areas, buying a property takes 2-3 weeks. First, a contract of sale is concluded, and the buyer pays the seller 10% of the value of the property. Then the notary draws up and registers all the necessary documents. After that, when all the documents are in the hands of the buyer, the full amount of the purchase is paid.

The tax is from $ 40 to $ 120 per year.

All real estate transactions in Mexico are in US dollars.

Since 2009, the Mexican authorities have made concessions in simplifying procedures for obtaining a visa by citizens of the Russian Federation. The Embassy of Mexico in the Russian Federation is located in Moscow on Bolshoy Levshinsky Lane, house number 4. Here you can apply for a tourist visa ($ 36), business and guest visas ($ 134). The standard validity of a tourist visa is 5 and 10 years. The length of stay in Mexico can be between 14 and 90 days.

If you don’t speak Spanish, don’t worry - most Mexican tourism business people speak English. However, if you make an effort to learn a few words in Spanish, you can better establish a connection with the Mexicans you will meet. Here are a few words to help you:

• "Hola" is a greeting;
• Gracias - thanks;
• “Por Favor” - please;
• “Cuanto cuesta” - how much.

In Mexico, it is customary in restaurants to leave tips at a rate of 10%. At international resorts, tips increase to 15-20%. Maids decided to leave $ 2-3.

The best currency exchange rates can be found at banks. At the airport, the rate is not bad compared to hotel rates. Changing money in a hotel is a bad idea. Street cambios or exchange offices offer a slightly worse rate than at the bank, but they have a convenient mode of operation. Almost everywhere in Mexico you can pay for goods and services in dollars. But keep in mind that the conversion from the Mexican pesos will be carried out at a disadvantageous rate.

In Mexico, the types of outlets are different from what we are used to. Here you will need an adapter for American outlets with grounding and without grounding.

Visa Information

Since 2010, citizens of the Russian Federation and Ukraine have been given the opportunity to receive a free Mexican visa. For this, it is necessary to correctly fill out the special form, which is located on the official website of the embassy, \u200b\u200band get a unique code, which then needs to be printed. This permission is granted to the airline (when buying a flight to Mexico) and during passport control. Please note that without a printed permit, entry into Mexico is not possible. This electronic visa allows you to stay in Mexico for up to 180 days, however it is valid only for a single entry.

Citizens of the Russian Federation who have a US visa are allowed to enter the country without a Mexican visa, and the number of trips is unlimited.

The Embassy of Mexico in the Russian Federation is located at: moscow, per. Bolshoy Levshinsky, d. 4.