1. Life in Mexico
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3. Many Mexicans grow their own food or buy it from the local markets.
Food and Drink
In Mexico, people usually eat three meals a day – breakfast (desayuno), a large lunch (comida) and a light supper (cena). The staple foods in Mexico are tortillas (corn pancakes), frijoles (beans) and chiles (chilli peppers).
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Tortillas
Frijoles
Chiles
Many Mexicans grow their own food or buy it from the local markets.
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4. Tortillas
Mealtime is a time for the family to get together. People usually have tortillas with their meal. They are made from maize (corn) – the most important crop grown in Mexico and the main source of food. Tortillas can be eaten plain, or filled with meat, cheese or beans.
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They are called…
…and tostados if they are fried and served flat with a topping.
…tacos if they are filled, folded and then fried.
…enchiladas if they are filled, rolled and covered in spicy sauce.
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5. Chocolate
Chocolate is made from the beans of the cacao tree and it was the native peoples of Mexico who discovered that the cacao bean could be used as a source of nourishment. It was also thought to have wonderful medicinal qualities and was so precious that it was used by the Aztecs as currency.
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Modern day Mexicans enjoy chocolate flavoured with sugar and vanilla. A popular dish for special occasions is turkey with mole, a sauce made of chocolate, chilli peppers and sesame seeds.
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6. Working in Mexico
The kind of work you do in Mexico depends on the part of Mexico you are from. If you live in a town or a city, shops, restaurants, factories and offices are just a few of the places you could work. One of Mexico’s most important industries is tourism and so many Mexicans are employed in occupations relating to this.
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7. Rich landowners have haciendas, which are large country estates.
If you live in the countryside you are more likely to be employed on a farm.
The main crops in Mexico are maize, coffee, bananas, wheat and potatoes. Chilli peppers, lemons, avacados, tomatoes and vanilla are also grown. Cattle are raised for beef and milk. Farmers take their produce to market to sell or trade for other goods.
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Many farms are very small.
Rich landowners have haciendas, which are large country estates.
There are also ejidos. These are community farms worked by groups of farmers.
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8. What do people wear?
People who live in towns and cities usually wear western-style clothes. However, in the villages, people wear more traditional clothes.
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These Mexican villagers are wearing wide-brimmed hats called sombreros to protect them from the hot sun. They are also wearing ponchos or scrapes (shawls).
Clothes are hand-woven and embroidered in bright colours. Each region has its own set of colours and designs.
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9. Going to school in Mexico
The Mexican government says that all young people between the age of six to fourteen should go to school. But, in the countryside, many children have to leave early to help their parents on the farm.
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Mexican children study many subjects at school. Many schools in the countryside have vegetable gardens where children learn about farming.
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10. Free time in Mexico
Most Mexicans love to play football and basketball. There are bullfights too, which big crowds come to watch.
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Mexicans are mad about football and have an excellent football team. Football is played everywhere and is also shown on the television. Mexico has hosted the world cup twice and on each occasion, the final was played in the 100,000-seater Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
Basketball has been popular in Mexico for hundreds of years. The Ancient Maya civilisation played their own version of the game called ollamitzli. Players had to shoot a solid rubber ball through a stone ring set in the wall of the ball court. They were only allowed to touch the ball with their knees, hips and elbows. There were a lot of injuries because the ball was so hard.
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11. Arts and Crafts
The arts and crafts of Mexico are not only beautiful to look at, but are also often made to be used.
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Carpets are woven in brightly coloured wools on large looms. Their designs include ancient symbols such as the sun and the moon which represent the forces of nature.
Mexico is famous for its beautifully decorated pottery. Pots are often brightly painted with scenes from ancient myths and legends.
Mexican painters are renowned for their fabulous wall paintings. These paintings are called murals.
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12. Festivals and Holidays
There are holidays, festivals and fiestas throughout the year in Mexico. Every town and village has its own festival. A band leads a parade around the street and everyone dresses up. There is a party and dancing. Some festivals are enjoyed by all Mexicans.
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Independence Days
In 1821, Mexico gained its independence from Spain. Every year, on 15th and 16th September a huge fiesta takes place in Mexico City. First, the president recites a special hymn to freedom and then the celebrations begin. There are fireworks, folk dancing, music and horse races.
This little boy is breaking open a piñata. A papier-mâché shape, decorated with brightly coloured paper and filled with sweets and treats. Piñatas have been part of Mexican celebrations for centuries.
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13. POP QUIZ Answers Tortillas, Frijoles(beans), Chili.
Tacos, Enchiladas, Tostados.
Chocolate.
Sombrero, poncho, Scrapes.
Clothes are hand-woven and embroidered in bright colours.
Maize, coffee, bananas, wheat and potatoes, chilli peppers, lemons, avacados, tomatoes and vanilla.
Ejidos are community farms worked by groups of farmers
Children learnt farming in school.
Knee, hip, elbow.
Spain.

14. We hope you continue to enjoy learning about Mexico!
We have reached the end of our slideshow but there is so much more about Mexico and its peoples for you to learn about.
We hope you continue to enjoy learning about Mexico!
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