Mexico

by Jermyn, Leslie; Reilly, Mary-Jo

• ISBN13: 9780761413639
• ISBN10: 0761413634
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-04-01
• Publisher: Benchmark Books

Summary

Presents the history, geography, economy, people, and social life and customs of Mexico, the third largest country of Latin America.

Table of Contents

Introduction	5	(2)
Geography	7	(10)
Geographical regions
Climate
Flora
Fauna
History	17	(12)
Early civilizations
The Mayans
The Aztecs
Spanish Conquest
The colonial period
Independence
Benito Juarez and the reform period
The Porfiriato
Revolution to modern times
Government	29	(6)
The 1917 constitution
National government
State and local government
The army
The PRI
U.S.-Mexican relations
Economy	35	(8)
Debt crisis
NAFTA
Sources of revenue
Environment	43	(8)
Mexico's treasures
Human Impact
The Maquiladora borderlands
The Federal District: An unhealthy place
The real treasures of the Sierra Madre
Solutions
Mexicans	51	(8)
Indians
Mestizos
Population problems
Dress
Lifestyle	59	(16)
Family: the core of society
Stages of life
Machismo
Women
Customs
Social conditions
Casa Mexicana
Religion	75	(6)
Arrival of Catholicism
Anti-church reforms
The Church today
Language	81	(8)
Mexican Spanish
Indian languages
Hey amigo!
Arts	89	(14)
Mexican Indian art and architecture
Modern architecture
Crafts and folk arts
Music
Dance
Literature
The art scene today
Leisure	103	(8)
The bullfight
Other sports
The charros
Festivals	111	(10)
Fiestas
Independence day
Day of the dead
Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe
The Christmas season
Food	121	(11)
Staples: corn to tortillas
Traditional meals
Traditional drinks
Markets and food stalls
Mealtimes
Traditional recipes
Map of Mexico	132	(2)
About the Economy	134	(2)
About the Culture	136	(2)
Time Line	138	(2)
Glossary	140	(1)
Further Information	141	(1)
Bibliography	142	(1)
Index	143