MEXICO
Capital: Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)
Population: 112 337 000
Languages: Spanish, 63 indigenous languages
Currency: peso (= 100 centavos)
Religion: Roman Catholicism is the dominating religion
Useful information:
Dialing code: +52
Emergency phone: 060
Information: 040
Electricity:
Mexico’s electricity system is 110 V. Most electric and electronic equipment operates at a rate ranging from 110 to 230 V. If the equipment is not set on 110 V, adaptors may be purchased. Same refers to outlets.
Payment cards:
There may be problems while paying with cards. In big cities and tourist centers all major international cards are accepted, including Visa, Master Card, and, to a limited degree, American Express.
Currency exchange:
It is advisable to have U.S. dollars, as they are easily exchanged at banks and special stores called Casa de Cambio.
Mexican cuisine:
Mexico’s favorite food product is corn. Also popular are tomatoes, chili and beans. Favorite Mexican dishes are the so-called “three T’s” – tacos, tortas and tamales. Salsa, a sauce made from chopped potatoes and onion is frequently served. Guacamole is an avocado-based sauce. A chocolate sauce from Puebla, called mole, is another favorite. It consists of peanuts, sesame, chili, almonds and bitter chocolate, which sometimes is used in Mexico to add extra taste.
Typical prices:
Coffee at a bar – app. 16 Mex$
Dinner at a restaurant – from 60 Mex$
Taco – app. 5 Mex$
Mineral water 1.5l – 10-15 Mex$
Fresh fruit juice – 20-35 Mex$
Weather conditions:
Mexico has two seasons – rainy and dry. The rainy season begins in May, and ends in September or October. For the remaining part of the year, precipitation is limited. Rainy season gives visitors a chance to admire the green, lush nature. Summers are hot and humid. It must be noted that weather conditions depend not only on a season, but also on elevation above sea level.
Places to visit:
Acapulco – the oldest seaside resort of the country, famous for its golden beaches, beautiful residences, luxurious hotels, and diving into the water from 45-meter tall La Quebrada rocks.
Cacahuamilpa – a national park, with one of the largest cave systems in the world.
Cholula – pre-Columbian archaeological site in central Mexico. The Great Pyramid of Cholula is located here. It is the second largest pyramid in the world, on top of which a church was built in colonial times.
Guadalupe – here Virgin Mary appeared to a poor Indian peasant. This miracle has contributed to mass Christianization of Latin America.
Mexico City – the capital of Mexico. It has several historical attractions, including the ruins of Tlatelolco, the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Zocalo square, and the National Palace. Here, the national shrine of the country, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is located. It was the first shrine to the Virgin Mary, visited by Pope John Paul II. The celebrated Roman Catholic icon of the Virgin Mary can be found here. The icon was not painted by human hand, and is a major puzzle for scientists. Its beauty and encoded symbols attract millions of worshippers. In 1737, a deadly epidemic ravaged Mexico City. After it was over, she was proclaimed patroness of the city, and in 1746 her patronage was accepted by all the territories of Mexico. In 1910, Pope Pius X declared Our Lady of Guadalupe patron saint of whole Latin America.
Puebla – a city with a historic center, which was added to the UNESCO heritage site list. Puebla is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. It is called the “City of Angels”, and is famous for piety of its residents. It was a favorite city of Pope John Paul II.
San Juan Chamula – an Indian village of the Mayans, with a unique church, where Christian faith merges with pagan traditions.
Taxco – a “Silver City”, known all over the the world for its silver products.
Teotihuacán – the city of the ancient civilization, and the largest pyramid complex of pre-Columbian Americas. The Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, and other buildings, located along the Avenue of the Dead. It is not known who built this city, and according to some estimates, up to 200,000 Mayas used to live here, making it one of the largest urban centers of the ancient world.
Tepotzotlán – a treasure of Colonial architecture, Baroque church San Francisco Javier can be found here.
Mini Phrasebook:
Good Morning – Buenos días
Good Bye – Adios
Hi – Hola
How are you? – ¿Como estas?
Good, and you? – Bueno, ¿y tú?
Yes – Si
No – No
Please – Por favor
Thank you – Gracias
Excuse me – Lo siento / Perdon
Help! – ¡Socorro!
Where is the toilet? – ¿Dónde está el baño?
How much does it cost? – ¿Cuanto cuesta?
Do you speak English? – ¿Habla usted inglés?
I don’t understand – No entiendo
