3. Map of Mexico -Mexico is located in Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the US and bordering the North Pacific Ocean

4. History Mexico declared independence on September 16, 1810. From 1821 to 1877, there were two emperors, several dictators, and enough presidents and provisional executives to make a new government on the average of every nine months. Mexico lost Texas in 1836 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – After defeat in the war with the U.S. 1846–1848, Mexico lost the area that is now California, Nevada, and Utah, most of Arizona and New Mexico, and parts of Wyoming and Colorado under the

5. Language and Religion Roman Catholicism is the main religion in Mexico. 95% of the Mexican population is baptized. Mexico is the most Spanish speaking country in the world. Some Mexican words such as tomato, chocolate, and coyote have became common in the English language.

6. Art and Literature Mexico is known for their Folk Art Tradition Colorfully embroidered cotton garments, and colorful baskets and rugs are seen everywhere. Painters Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros became famous for their grand murals. Modern Mexican literature was influenced by the concepts of the Spanish Mesoamerica.

7. Mexican Holidays Holidays are celebrated with fiesta’s, flowers, bright colors, and piñata's. September 16 th, Mexicans Celebrate their independence from Spain. Once a year, every Village and town gather to remember their local saints. The Inns, celebrated on December 16 to December 24 Noche Buena "Holy Night”, celebrated on December 24 Navidad "Christmas", celebrated on December 25 Año Nuevo "New Years Day", celebrated on December 31 to January 1 Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe "Guadalupe Day” – Honors the patron saint of Mexico

8. Food - Mexican food originated differently than we see it today. The natives first based their diets corn- based dishes with chiles and herbs, usually complemented with beans and tomatoes. -Most of the Mexican food is based off of pre- Hispanic traditions, including the Aztecs and the Mayans. -The conquistadores eventually combined their imported diet of rice, beef, pork, chicken, wine, garlic and onions with the native pre-Columbian food, including maize, tomato, vanilla, avocado, papaya, pineapple, chili pepper, beans, squash, limes sweet potato, peanut and turkey. -The newer dishes emerged later. These foods were thing such as tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, mole, and burritos. - Different regions of Mexico have different traditional dishes, which they prepare in their own ways.

9. Music -Mexican people listen to a variety of music now, music that is very similar to what we listen to. -Yet the traditional music is still very popular with the natives. The typical music includes Mariachi, Banda, Norteño, Ranchera and Corridos. -People enjoy the classical music such as an Orchestra. -These days the younger population of Mexico greatly enjoys pop and rock music. There are many popular pop and rock artists.

10. Mexican Clothing Traditional Mexican clothing is typically earth tones, such as red and brown although yellow and green clothes are common also. Typical women clothing includes a skirt, a “huipil” (a kind of sleeve-less tunic), a “quechquémitl” (a closed shoulder cape) and a “rebozo” (a kind of shawl).

11. Our Cultures Ali’s Cultures – I represent many different cultures. I am mostly German and Italian, yet I have a mix of many different cultures in my family. Ally’s Cultures – I am both German and English. I am mostly German, my Grandparents are 100% German on my fathers side, and my Grandparents English on my mothers side Cody’s Cultures – I am Eastern European on both of my parents sides.