Mexico is one of the most fascinating countries in the world with its history, cultural richness and geographical diversity. From the legends of the Aztecs to the industrial achievements of the modern era, this land bears the traces of the past in every corner. From the symbol on Mexico’s flag to the fact that the world’s largest pyramid is located in this country, many interesting details reveal how important Mexico is both in the past and today. From being the world’s largest avocado producer to its colorful festivals, Mexico is full of surprises waiting to be discovered. Here are 20 interesting facts about Mexico that you’ve probably never heard before.
The symbol on the Mexican flag is based on an Aztec legend
According to this legend, the gods told the Aztecs that the ideal place to build their city would be where an eagle perched on a cactus eating a snake.
Mexico, the world’s largest avocado producer, produced more than 2.2 million tons of avocados each year from 2017 to 2023
Some of the prominent festivals include Vive Latino, Cervantino and Corona Capital.
Mexico organizes nearly 5,000 festivals every year
The largest pyramid in the world is the Great Pyramid of Cholula in Mexico
As of 2024, Mexico City is the fifth most populous city in the world with 21.6 million inhabitants
Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, is built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire
Mexico has the largest Spanish-speaking population in the world with more than 125 million people
In the Mexican state of Sonora, some names are banned to prevent children from being bullied because of their names
Banned names include James Bond, Email, Robocop, Batman and Hermione.
Mexico is the 13th largest country in the world with an area of 1,972,550 square kilometers
Lucha libre, a type of wrestling in Mexico, is the second most popular sport in the country after soccer
Mexico’s Independence Day is celebrated on September 16
The day commemorates the Grito de Dolores speech of 1810, which demanded an end to Spanish rule and launched the War of Independence.
In 1821, the First Mexican Empire was founded under Agustín de Iturbide
This is one of the most interesting facts about Mexico! Because most of us don’t think of an empire when we think of Mexico. The aforementioned rule lasted only two years, after which the country switched to a republican form of government.
The second and last emperor of Mexico was Maximilian I, who ruled from 1864 to 1867
During this period, Mexico was ruled with the support of Napoleon III and French troops.
Mexico is one of the few countries to have hosted the FIFA World Cup twice
The first took place in 1970 and the second in 1986.
The cacao plant was first discovered in Mesoamerica by the Mayans and Aztecs. These ancient civilizations used cacao for both medicinal purposes and rituals.
The Olmec people are considered the first people to roast and grind the cacao plant into chocolate
This practice dates back to 1500 BC.
In 1938, the Mexican government seized control over foreign oil companies, created Pemex (Petróleos Mexicanos) and began managing the country’s oil industry
After Spain colonized Mexico in 1521, new ingredients such as beef, pork and cheese were added to their traditional dish, tacos
However, before this date, taco fillings were mostly beans, fish and insects.
One of the most common superstitions in Mexico is the belief that when a rooster crows at night, a person will lose his or her life
From 1565 to 1815, Mexico was part of the Manila Galleon Trade Route
On this route, goods such as silver and spices were exchanged between Acapulco in Mexico and Manila in the Philippines.
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