It’s a lazy morning here and too chilly (71F, 22C) to go outside yet, so I thought I’d whip a little info on yas. Here we go.

The official name for Mexico is the United Mexican States.

Mexico means “In the navel of the Moon” and comes from Nahuatl, the language of a group of people native to southern Mexico and Central America, including the Aztecs.

Mexico has 31 states and a Federal District (Mexico City).

Mexico is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, having 9 of the 11 types of ecosystems.

Mexico is the world’s largest exporter of Avocados, Tomatoes, Papayas, Guavas, Mangoes, Beer, and Tequila.

While Spanish is used for most official purposes, it is not an official language. The Law of Linguistic Rights establishes Spanish as one of the country’s national languages, along with 68 distinct indigenous languages, and requires the state to offer all of its services to its indigenous citizens in their mother tongues.

Mexico City has more museums than any other city in the world.

Twenty five percent of Mexico’s energy comes from renewable sources, mostly solar and wind.

Mexico is the fourth largest exporter of automobiles in the world.

Twenty-four million tourists visit Mexico every year. Eighty percent return more than once.

The first printing press in North America was used in Mexico City in 1539.

Millions of monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico every year from the U.S. and Canada, though logging operations are rapidly destroying their habitat.

Mexican children do not receive presents on Christmas Day. They receive gifts on January 6, the day on which Mexicans celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men.

Mexicans sip, not shoot, their tequila.

The red poinsettia (which the Aztecs called cuetlaxochitl) originated in Mexico and is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico.

Mexicans are a unique blend of many ancient civilizations, including the Olmec, Zapotec, Toltec, Maya, Aztec, Inca, African, French, and Spanish.

Mexico is located in the “Ring of Fire,” one of the earth’s most violent earthquake and volcano zones.

Tijuana is the birthplace of the Caesar Salad, named for chef Caesar Cardini.

About sixty percent of the modern Mexican population is mestizo (Indian-Spanish), 30% is Indian or predominately Indian, 9% is Caucasian, and 1% is other.

Mexico introduced chocolate, corn, and chilies to the world.

Texas was a Mexican province which declared its independence from Mexico in 1836.

The largest pyramid in the world is the Great Pyramid of Cholula in Mexico. It is also the largest monument ever constructed in the world.

The National University of Mexico is the oldest university in North America, founded in 1551.

Eighty nine percent of the Mexican population identifies itself as Roman Catholic.

Artists in Mexico can pay their taxes using artwork.

Each year, residents of Naco, Mexico, join those of Naco, Arizona, for a volleyball match over the fence separating the two countries.

The Copper Canyon in the State of Chihuahua is seven times larger than the Grand Canyon in Arizona

Waiters won’t offer you the check until you ask for it. It’s considered rude to bring it before the customer is ready.

If you ever get on Jeopardy, and one of these helps you win, I want 15%. (This was 10%, but Irene made me change it to 15. She’s always been the brains of the business.)

Love,

g.