Kelly Swindell

 Means Day of the Dead.  A Lively Mexican holiday honors the dead.  It Begins Octubre 31 and Ends Nov. 2.  Dia de los Muertos is celebrated in México and certain parts of the United States.  The Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations kept skulls as trophies and displayed them during the ritual.  The skulls were used to symbolize death and rebirth.

 Bebidas are a common offering on ofrendas.  Sweet, egg-rich "bread of the dead" (pan de muerto) is one of the constants of Dia de Los Muertos  Sugar skulls are treats for children during Dia de Los Muertos, sometimes with names written on them

 It’s dedicated to remembering and honoring those that have passed before us.  Crafting and handmade decorations have a long tradition.  Instead of using store- bought decorations for your altar or party, use simple crafts- m/ent/dead/articles/dead- crafts.html

 The economy of México is the 16th largest in the world in nominal terms and the 10th largest by purchasing power parity, according to the IMF.  Presidente Enrique Peña Nieto took office in December 2012 for a six-year term.  Economic growth in 2013 fell to 1.1 percent, compared to the strong recovery experienced between 2010 and 2012.

 México manufactures and exports the same amount of goods as the rest of Latin America combined.  México has recently built up its infrastructure to enhance trade.  México 's economy under-performed Brazil's, but in 2012 it grew faster.  México is now a major manufacturing center for electronics, including most of the flat-screen TVs sold in the U.S., medical devices and aerospace parts.

 The biggest challenge has been to get rid of the drug cartels.  Presidente Felipe Calderón-Hinojosa cracked down to improve México’s economic competitiveness.  Many Americanos are worried about illegal immigration from Mexico, but the country is actually gaining immigrants itself.