Mexico

Mexico

Flag

 Colors: 

Green: 

The Independence
Movement

 White:
The purity of the Catholic faith.

Red:
The Spaniards that joined in the quest for Independence. The
blood of the National Heroes

Landmarks in Mexico

Chapultepec Castle

Castillo de Chapultepec is a castle built on top of Chapultepec Hill in Mexico City. Chapultepec is Náhuatl and means "at the grasshopper hill. The structure itself has been used for several different purposes throughout its history, some of these include an Imperial and Presidential home, observatory, military academy, and in its present state a museum. It is the only castle located in North America that was ever occupied by European sovereigns.

The castles construction began in 1785 when then viceroy, Bernardo de Gálvez, ordered acountry house be built at the highest point of Chapultepec Hill. A Lieutenant Colonel of the Spanish Army, Francisco Bambitelli, was commissioned to engineer the construction. Bambitelli was eventually replaced by Captain Manuel Agustín Mascaró when the Lieutenant Colonel made way for Havana. Mascaró was accused of building a fortress
with the intent of rebelling against the Spanish Crown. He died suddenly on November 8, 1786 giving rise to speculation of poisoning by those fearing his uprising against the crown.


El Angel

El Ángel de la Independencia is a victory column located on a roundabout over Paseo de la Reforma in downtown Mexico City. It is referred to most often by its shortened name, El Ángel. Its official name is Columna de la Independencia.

El Ángel was built in commemoration the 100 year anniversary of Mexico's War of Independence, which was celebrated in 1910. In 1925 the remains of a number of the heroes of this conflict were interred at the base of the monument, making it a mausoleum. It is probably the most recognizable landmark in Mexico City, and during its almost 100 year existence has become a focal point for both celebration and protest.

On the base of the column there are four bronze sculptures, which symbolize Law, War, Justice and Peace. Also, next to the column, there is a group of marble statues of some of the heroes of the War of Independence.

On the main face of the base, which faces downtown Mexico City, there is an inscription reading La Nación a los Héroes de la Independencia. In front of this inscription is abronze statue of a giant lion led by a child, representing strength and the innocence of youth during War but docility during Peace.

Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan

The Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan rose 197 ft above the city of Tenochtitlan’s ritual precinct, Tenochtitlan was of capital of the Aztec empire and current site of modern day Mexico City. The Great Pyramid, or Temple Mejor as it is also known, was surmounted by dual shrines to the god of war Huitzilopochtli and god of fertility Tlaloc.

The temple was almost entirely destroyed in 1521 after the conquest of the Aztec empire by the Spanish conquistadores. Remains of the lower portions of the temple complex have been discovered by modern archaeologists buried under a portion of modern Mexico City.

The temple was enlarged several times during its history, and for the last time in 1487, when between 2,000 and 20,000 people were sacrificed over 4 days during its reconsecration.

National Palace

The National Palace is holds the federal executive in Mexico. It is located in Mexico City's main square, the Plaza de la Constitución or El Zócal.

The Origins of the Palace

The palace was constructed in 1563 after the conquest of New Spain. After fires in 1659 and 1692 left the building in disarray, the palace was reconstructed in its present day form.

The building was renamed the National Palace in 1821 with the culmination of the War of Independence against Spain. The Executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government were all housed in the palace at that time.

Typical Food

Tacos

This is usually a bit confusing for most - the generalized idea is that a taco is made using a hard, u-shaped corn shell filled with seasoned minced meat, lettuce and tomatoes, grated cheese and some sour cream. However this is not the case. Rather, truly authentic tacos use the soft corn tortillas and are stuffed with either meat, chicken or seafood fillings.

Tortillas

 Made of wheat flour or maize (corn flour), these traditional flat savory pancakes formed the staple food of Mexican people for centuries. They are used in a host of different dishes such as enchiladas or quesadillas and are often served instead of bread.

Frijoles

Mexican for beans, this was and still is a primary source of protein in the Mexican diet. Used both as main ingredients and as garnishes to other dishes, beans can be boiled or fried.

Enchiladas

 Made with tortillas, enchiladas are basically folded or rolled tortillas stuffed with chicken, pork or vegetables and then baked

Education

United States
United Kingdom