1. All about MexicoPriscilla ToledanoFulbright scholarForeing LanguageTeaching AssistantProgramFLTA 2011-2012

2. Overview Federal constitutional republic in North America Boundaries Extension: over 760, 000 sq mi 5th largest country in America Population: over 112 million The most populous Spanish-speaking country. 31 states and a Federal District 3. Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica Olmec Toltec Teotihuacan Zapotec Maya Aztec 4. Miguel Hidalgo y CostillaThe Father of theIndependence(September 15, 1810) 5. Climate The Tropic of Cancer Many large cities inMexico are located inthe Valley of Mexico(temperature averagesfrom 60.8 to 64.4 F)and cool nighttimetemperaturesthroughout the year. Cities in the northexperiencetemperatures of 104 For more in summer. Inthe Sonoran Deserttemperatures reach122 F or more. 6. Biodiversity Mexico is one of the 18megadiverse countries ofthe world. 1st place in biodiversity inreptiles with 707 knownspecies 2nd place in mammals with438 species 4th place in flora with26, 000 species 7. Mexicos native culinary ingredients 8. TequilaTequila is a spirit made from the blue agaveplant, primarily in the area surrounding the cityof Tequila, 40 miles northwest ofGuadalajara, and in the highlands (Los Altos) ofthe western Mexican state of Jalisco. 9. EconomyDaily minimum wages areset annually by law anddetermined by zone; $5.75USD in Zone A (BajaCalifornia, FederalDistrict, State of Mexico, andlarge cities), $5.59 USD inZone B (Sonora, NuevoLen, Tamaulipas, Veracruz,and Jalisco), and $5.45 USDin Zone C all other states. 10. Transportation 11. Culture Traditions Food Family Dating Music anddance Tourism 12. Traditions Independence Day (September 16 th) 13. TraditionsDay of the DeadNovember 1stand 2nd 14. TraditionsOur Lady ofGuadalupe (Spanish: Nuestra Seora deGuadalupe), alsoknown as the Virgin of GuadalupeDecember 12th 15. LoteraLotera is a Mexican game of chance, similar toBingo, but using images on a deck of cards insteadof plain numbers on ping pong balls. 16. FoodGorditas, tacos, tortas, tamales, mole, chiles en nogada, tequila. 17. Mexican Family Values The family is at the centerof the social structure. Outside of the majorcosmopolitancities, families are stillgenerally large. The extended family is asimportant as the nuclearfamily since it provides asense of stability. 18. Mexicans consider it theirduty and responsibility tohelp family members. Most Mexican families areextremely traditional, withthe father as the head, theauthority figure and thedecision-maker. Mothers are greatlyrevered, but their role maybe seen as secondary tothat of their husband. 19. Hierarchical Society Mexican society and businessare highly stratified andvertically structured. Rank is important, and thoseabove you in rank must alwaysbe treated with respect. This makes it important to knowwhich person is in charge, andleads to an authoritarianapproach to decision-makingand problem- solving. It would be disrespectful tobreak the chain of hierarchy. 20. Machismo Machismo literallymeans masculinity. 21. Meeting and Greeting People inMexico Whereas in the US andsome places inEurope, people will happilymeet and just say"hello, nice to meet you", inMexico, the correct physicalcontact is essential to buildtrust and respect withothers. Personal Space: Mexicanstend to stand closer to eachother than in the USA andEurope. Stepping back toofar may be taken as a signof mistrust. 22. Men Meeting Men: Men alwaysshake hands when they meet andbefore they depart each otherscompany. An hug is shared betweenfriends. Men Meeting Women: In socialsituations, women may lean towardyou to kiss; you should followthrough with a light kiss on thecheek (only one, unlike Italy, forexample). Most women will simplyoffer a handshake. Women Meeting Women: In socialsituations where women know eachother, women will always hug andkiss each other on the cheek. 23. Time For social events, you couldshow up 30 minutes laterthan the time on theinvitation. If you are sending outinvitations to a socialgathering, keep in mind thatguests wont show up at thetime you state 24. Dining Etiquette Invitations: If you invite someone to eat out, it is assumed (and expected) that you will settle the bill. Splitting the bill is not done in Mexico and, indeed, suggesting it should be done is considered rude and uncouth. 25. Relationships & Communication The right connections facilitatebusiness success. 26. When dating Mexican girls youll usually be expected to footthe bill walk on the street side of thesidewalk when you stroll together do all the romantic stuff like in themovies find somewhere starlit, buy flowersand then say all the things youdnever say back home for fear ofbreaking down laughing. 27. Music and danceMariachi - El Son de la Negra 28. Tourism Tamaulipas 29. Welcome to Mexico!!!!Priscilla Toledanotoledanopriscilla@gmail.comtoledanoe@dewv.edu 30. References Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico retrieved on September 25,2011 You tube Ballet Folklrico de UAGhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfGkU5dw7Xo retrieved onSeptember 25, 2011 You tube Estrellas del Bicentenario de Mxicohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0psKcffZEg&feature=related