The Things You Should Know About Mexico

Mexico is one of the world’s most sought-after tourist destinations. Not just for its pristine beaches and stellar nightlife, but also for the variety of regions, world-class cuisine and welcoming hospitality. The sprawling Latin American country is also loaded with history that spans back tens of thousands of years, creating a patchwork of cultures across the nation. Where you’re Mexicano or planning to visit the former Aztec Empire, here are some interesting facts about Mexico.

If you are planning a trip to Mexico, Here are 7 interesting facts about Mexico

1. Mexico City is One of the Oldest Cities in North America

Mexico City’s roots can be traced all the way back to 1325, making it one of the oldest cities on the North American continent. In the several centuries since it’s had its fair share of history take place from the Aztec Triple Alliance in 1430 to the arrival of conquistadors in the mid-1800s.

2. The Meteorite That Wiped Out Dinosaurs Struck Mexico

When a meteorite came barrelling along toward earth some 65 million years ago, it struck the Mexican peninsula of Yucatán. A 180 square meter crater with a depth of more than 600 meters and the demise of dinosaurs is all that’s left. Today, however, Yucatan is famous for its pristine nature, namely its beaches, rivers and cenotes. For a visualisation of the crater, head here.

3. Mexico is Latin America’s Most Visited Tourist Destination

With hot spots like Cabo on the Pacific, Cancun on the Caribbean and cosy pueblos like Guanajuato and Cholula in between; it isn’t hard to believe. According to Statista, Mexico receives the most international visitors in Latin America by a long shot with a whopping 41.5 million arrivals annually. Trailing behind in second place is Argentina at just 6.9 million.

4. It’s One of the Most Linguistically Rich Places in the World

Mexico is home to 69 distinct languages across the nation. In addition to Spanish, there are a plethora of indigenous languages that have managed to stand the test of time. The most popular are Náhuatl, Yucatec Maya and Mixteco.

5. Mexican Food Food Has UNESCO Recognition

It’s no secret that Mexico food is a favourite around the world. Fiery salsas, tacos al pastor, saucy moles, ancient tamales, nopales every which way are just a few of the drool-worthy staples in Mexican cuisine. But did you know the food is so great that is actually has UNESCO recognition? That’s right, UNESCO classes Mexican cuisines as an intangible heritage of humanity.

iamge: Cholula Rooms/Facebook

6. Mexico is Home to the World’s Largest Pyramid

One of the most interesting facts about Mexico is that the ancient city of Cholula, not Giza, is actually home to the world’s largest pyramid. The Great Pyramid of Cholula, aka Tlachihualtepetl, is the largest pyramid in the world by volume. Coming in at 4.45 million cubic meters, it’s almost twice the size of its the Great Pyramid of Giza. Nowadays the pyramid hides underneath the famous church of Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies whose grounds you can explore to get a sense of the sites ancient history.

7. Mexico City is Sinking

Yep, if you can believe it, Mexico City is sinking at a rate of around 10 inches per year. The nation’s capital sits on top of an ancient lakebed which has been slowly depleting for the past couple hundred years. Unfortunately, the mass exploitation of the underground aquifers has been at an all-time high since around the mid 19th century.