s panish the culture, the history behind it
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Spanish The Culture, The History Behind it.
The Romance languages--occasionally called the Latin languages or, less often, the Romanic or Neo-Latin languages--are a group of languages descended from Vulgar Latin. They form a branch of the Italic languages within the Indo-European language family. The five most widely spoken Romance languages by number of native speakers are Spanish (410 million), Portuguese (240 million), French (75 million), Italian (60 million), and Romanian (25 million).[1] The largest have many non-native speakers; this is especially the case for French, which is in widespread use throughout Central and West Africa and the Maghreb region.
The Romance languages evolved from Latin from the sixth to the ninth centuries. Today, there are more than 800 million native speakers worldwide, mainly in Europe and the Americas and many smaller regions scattered throughout the world, as well as large numbers of non-native speakers, and widespread use as lingua franca.
So what is Hispanic Culture?
Hispanic or Latino culture encompasses the traditions, language, idioms, religious beliefs and practices, legends, arts, music, literature, cuisine, history, social and family values of the Hispanic people.
Some people use the terms Hispanic culture and Spanish culture interchangeably. However, they refer to two different things: Hispanic culture consists of the traditions and customs of people with Latin American roots and whose primary language is Spanish. Spanish culture encompasses the heritage and traditions of the people of Spain.
From Spain to Mexico and from the Caribbean to South America. . . the singers who perform these wonderful songs come from different countries where Spanish is spoken, including the United States. You will also find a couple of Italian artists who also sing in Spanish.
Prehistoric Spain
If one were to go by the archaeological remains and artifacts, Spain is actually one of the earliest settlements in Europe. Places like the caves and sites in Granada, Altamira, Almeria and Murcia have yielded evidences of a prehistoric Spain as far back as 1.2 million years ago. The Basques are believed to have descended from the Cro-Magnons.Early CivilizationsSpain’s strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea attracted settlers who took advantage of its abundant natural resources and fertile lands. The Iberians came from the South followed by Celtic tribes who had interracial relationships with the former giving rise to tribes of Celtiberians. The Phoenicians arrived in the Iberian Peninsula and founded settlements which are known today as Cadiz, Malaga and Adra. To the south and the Mediterranean coast came the Greeks and later on the Carthaginians who conquered most of the peninsula and founded colonies such as Ibiza and Cartagena. However, after the Second Punic War in 213-201 B.C. the Romans defeated the Carthaginians and took over Hispania.The Romans made significant contributions to the country’s cultural, economic, intellectual and artistic development: aside from building historical monuments, the Romans also left landmark legacies such as the Roman laws, the Latin language and Christianity.The Roman Empire was followed by the takeover of the Visigoths in 410 and although their occupation lasted more than three centuries, their influences were not as deep and as significant as that made by the Romans.
The cultures of Spain are European cultures based on a variety of historical influences, primarily that of Ancient Rome, but also the pre-Roman Celtic and Iberian culture, and that of the Phoenicians and the Moors. In the areas of language and religion, the Ancient Romans left a lasting legacy. The subsequent course of Spanish history added other elements to the country's culture and traditions.The Visigothic Kingdom left a sense of a united Christian Hispania that was going to be welded in the Reconquista. Muslim influences were strong during the Middle Ages. The Spanish language derives directly from Vulgar Latin and has minor influences from pre-Roman languages (Iberian and Celtic) and other languages such as Gothic and Andalusian Arabic. Another influence was the minority Jewish population in some cities. After the defeat of the Muslims during the Christian Reconquista ("Reconquest") period between 718 and 1492, Spain became an almost entirely Roman Catholic country. In addition, the nation's history and its Mediterranean and Atlantic environment have played a significant role in shaping its culture, and also in shaping other cultures, such as the culture of Latin America through the colonization of the Americas.A significant portion of Spanish cuisine derives from the Roman, Jewish, and Andalusian traditions. The Moorish people were a strong influence in Spain for many centuries. However, pork is popular and for centuries eating pork was also a statement of Christian ethnicity or "cleanliness of blood", because it was not eaten by Jews or Muslims. Several native foods of the Americas were introduced to Europe through Spain, and a modern Spanish cook could not do without potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and beans. These are some of the primary influences that have differentiated Spanish cuisine from Mediterranean cuisine, of which Spanish cuisine shares many techniques and food items.The essential ingredient for real Spanish cooking is olive oil, as Spain produces 44% of the world's olives. However, butter or lard are also important, especially in the north.Daily meals eaten by Spaniards in many areas of the country are still very often made traditionally by hand, from fresh ingredients bought daily from the local market. This practice is more common in the rural areas and less common in the large urban areas like Barcelona or Madrid, where supermarkets are beginning to displace the open air markets. However, even in Madrid food can be bought from the local shops; bread from the "panadería" and meat from the "carnicería".One popular custom when going out is to be served tapas with a drink, including sherry, wine and beer. In some areas, like Almería, Granada or Jaén in Andalusia, and Madrid or Salamanca in the centre tapas are given for free with a drink and have become very famous for that reason. It should be noted that almost every bar serves something edible when a drink is ordered, without charge. However many bars exist primarily to serve a purchased "tapa".Another traditional favorite is the churro with a mug of thick hot chocolate to dip churros in. "Churrerías," or stores that serve churros, are quite common. The Chocolatería San Ginés in Madrid is especially famous as a place to stop and have some chocolate with churros, often late into the night (even dawn), after being out on the town. Often traditional Spanish singers and musicians will entertain the guests. [1]
Hernan CortesHe was a Spanish explorer and soldier known in history to lead the conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico, beginning the wave of colonization in the Americas.
12 October 1492 – Christopher Columbus discovers The Americas for Spain, painting by John Vanderlyn.
The Spanish arrival and colonization brought Roman Catholicism to the country, which became the main religion of Mexico, however, Mexico has "no official" religion, and the Constitution of 1917 and the anti-clerical laws imposed limitations on the church and sometimes codified state intrusion into church matters. The government does not provide any financial contributions to the church, and the church does not participate in public education.The last census reported, by self-ascription, that 11.5% of the population is Christian. Roman Catholics are 89%[1] of the total population, 47% percent of whom attend church services weekly.[2] In absolute terms, Mexico has the world's second largest number of Catholics after Brazil.[3] According to the Government's 2000 census, approximately 87 percent of respondents identified themselves as at least nominally Roman Catholic. Other religious groups for which the 2000 census provided estimates included evangelicals, with 1.71 percent of the population; other Protestant evangelical groups, 2.79 percent; members of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1.25 percent; "historical" Protestants, 0.71 percent; Seventh-day Adventists, 0.58 percent; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 0.25 percent; Jews, 0.05 percent; and other religions, 0.31 percent. Approximately 3.52 percent of respondents indicated "no religion", and 0.86 percent did not specify a religionMexico is known for its folk art traditions, mostly derived from the indigenous and Spanish crafts. Pre-Columbian art thrived over a wide timescale, from 1800 BC to AD 1500. Certain artistic characteristics were repeated throughout the region, namely a preference for angular, linear patterns, and three-dimensional ceramics. Notable handicrafts include clay pottery from the valley of Oaxaca and the village of Tonala. Colorfully embroidered cotton garments, cotton or wool shawls and outer garments, and colorful baskets and rugs are seen everywhere. Mexico is also known for its pre-Columbian architecture, especially for public, ceremonial and urban monumental buildings and structures.Between the Spanish colonial era and the early 20th century, Mexican fine arts were largely influenced by European traditions. After the Mexican Revolution, a new generation of Mexican artists led a vibrant national movement that incorporated political, historic, and folk themes in their work. The painters Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros became world famous for their grand murals, often displaying clear social messages. Rufino Tamayo and Frida Kahlo produced more personal works with abstract elements. Mexican art photography largely fostered by the work of Manuel Álvarez Bravo.[4]
Spanish is the primary language of 20 countries worldwide. It is estimated that the combined total number of Spanish speakers is between 470 and 500 million, making it the second most widely spoken language in terms of native speakers.[32][33]
Spanish is the third most spoken language by total number of speakers (after Mandarin and English). Internet usage statistics for 2007 show Spanish as the third most commonly used language on the Internet, after English and Mandarin.[34]
Things you should know about
Spanish
: Spanish language in the United States
Spanish spoken in the United States. Darker shades of blue indicate higher percentages of Spanish speakers.According to 2006 census data, 44.3 million people of the U.S. population were Hispanic or Latin American by origin;[47] 38.3 million people, 13 percent, of the population more than five years old speak Spanish at home.[48] The Spanish language has a long history and presence in the United States due to historic Spanish and later, Mexican administration over territories now forming the southwestern states as well as Florida, which was Spanish territory until 1821.Spanish is by far the most widely taught second language in the country, and with over 50 million total speakers, the United States is now the second largest Spanish-speaking country in the world after Mexico.[49] While English is the de facto official language of the country, Spanish is often used in public services and notices at the federal and state levels. Spanish is also used in administration in the state of New Mexico.[50] The language also has a strong influence in major metropolitan areas such as those of Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio, New York, San Francisco, Dallas, and Phoenix; as well as more recently, Chicago, Las Vegas, Boston, Houston, and Baltimore-Washington, D.C. due to 20th and 21st century immigration.
Country Population (2011)[1]
Spain[2] 46,754,784 Colombia[3] 44,725,543 Peru[4] 29,248,943 Venezuela[5] 27,635,743 Ecuador[6] 19,997,789
National LanguageSovereign states where Spanish is an official language.
Guatemala[7] 13,824,463 Cuba[8] 11,087,330 Bolivia[9] 10,118,683Honduras[10] 8,143,564 Paraguay[11] 6,459,058 El Salvador[12] 6,071,774 Costa Rica[13] 4,576,562 Panama[14] 3,460,462 Equatorial Guinea[15] 1,622,000
Dependent entities where Spanish is an official language.
Name Population (2011)[1]
Puerto Ricoa[16] 3,989,133
Country Population (2011)[1]
Mexico[17] 113,724,226 Argentina[18] 41,769,726 Chile[19] 16,888,760 Dominican Republic[20] 9,956,648 Nicaragua[21] 5,666,301 Uruguay[22] 3,308,535
De facto official and national languageSovereign states where Spanish is a de facto official language. Spanish is the main or only language of communication of the vast majority of the population; official documents are written chiefly or solely in that language; and it is spoken and taught in schools as part of the official curriculum; yet, it is not established by legislation as an official language.
Judaeo-SpanishFurther information: Judaeo-SpanishJudaeo-Spanish (also known as Ladino),[223] which is essentially medieval Spanish and closer to modern Spanish than any other language, is spoken by many descendants of the Sephardi Jews who were expelled from Spain in the fifteenth century.[223] Therefore, its relationship to Spanish is comparable with that of the Yiddish language to German. Ladino speakers are currently almost exclusively Sephardi Jews, with family roots in Turkey, Greece or the Balkans; current speakers mostly live in Israel and Turkey, and the United States, with a few pockets in Latin America.[223] It lacks the Native American vocabulary which was influential during the Spanish colonial period, and it retains many archaic features which have since been lost in standard Spanish. It contains, however, other vocabulary which is not found in standard Spanish, including vocabulary from Hebrew, French, Greek and Turkish, and other languages spoken where the Sephardim settled.Judaeo-Spanish is in serious danger of extinction because many native speakers today are elderly as well as elderly olim (immigrants to Israel) who have not transmitted the language to their children or grandchildren. However, it is experiencing a minor revival among Sephardi communities, especially in music. In the case of the Latin American communities, the danger of extinction is also due to the risk of assimilation by modern Castilian.A related dialect is Haketia, the Judaeo-Spanish of northern Morocco. This too tended to assimilate with modern Spanish, during the Spanish occupation of the region.SongsFolklorists have been collecting romances and other folk songs, some dating from before the expulsion. Many religious songs in Judeo-Spanish are translations of the Hebrew, usually with a different tune. For example, Ein Keloheinu looks like this in Judeo-Spanish:
Spanish Music
The foundation of Mexican music comes from its indigenous sounds and heritage. The original inhabitants of the land, used drums, flutes, maracas, sea shells and voices to make music and dances. This ancient music is still played in some parts of Mexico. However, much of the traditional contemporary music of Mexico was written during and after the Spanish colonial period, using many European instruments. Some instruments whose predecessors were brought from Europe, such as the vihuela used in Mariachi music, are now very Mexican. Mexican society enjoys a vast array of music genres, showing the diversity of Mexican culture. Traditional music includes Mariachi, Banda, Norteño, Ranchera and Corridos. Mexicans also listen to contemporary music such as pop and Mexican rock. Mexico has the largest media industry in Latin America, producing Mexican artists who are famous in Central and South America and parts of Europe. Folk songs called corridos have been popular in the country since the 16th century. It may tell the story about the Mexican Revolution, pride, Mestizo, romance, poverty, politics or crime.Today, musical groups known as Mariachis perform along streets, festivals and restaurants. A Mariachi group includes singers, guitar, trumpets, violin and marimba players. The most prominent Mariachi group is Vargas de Tecalitlán, which was originally formed in 1897.
Veracruz dance performed at ITESM-Campus Ciudad de México.Other styles of traditional regional music in México: Son Jarocho (Veracruz, with guitars and harp), Huapango or Son Huasteco (Huasteca, northeastern regions, violin and two guitars known as quinta huapanguera and jarana), Tambora (Sinaloa, mainly brass instruments) Duranguense, Jarana (most of the Yucatán peninsula) and Norteña (North style, redoba and accordion).Folk dances are a feature of Mexican culture. Significant in dance tradition is the "Jarabe Tapatío", known as "Mexican hat dance". Traditional dancers perform a sequence of hopping steps, heel and toe tapping movements.Among the most known "classical" composers: Manuel M. Ponce ("Estrellita"), Revueltas, Jordá (Elodia), Ricardo Castro, Juventino Rosas ("Sobre las olas"), Carrillo (Sonido 13), Ibarra, Pablo Moncayo (Huapango) and Carlos Chávez.Popular composers includes: Agustín Lara, Consuelo Velázquez ("Bésame mucho"), "Guty" Cárdenas, José Alfredo Jiménez, Armando Manzanero, Luis Arcaraz, Álvaro Carrillo, Joaquín Pardavé and Alfonso Ortiz Tirado.Traditional Mexican music has influenced the evolution of the Mexican pop and Mexican rock genre. Some well-known Mexican pop singers are Luis Miguel and Alejandro Fernández. Latin rock musicians such as Carlos Santana, Café Tacuba and Caifanes have incorporated Mexican folk tunes into their music. Traditional Mexican music is still alive in the voices of artists such as Eugenia León and Lila Downs.
Flamenco in SpainFlamenco is probably the most well-known Spanish tradition. Flamenco is not just a dance; even more it is an art form of dancing that includes dancing, singing and handclaps. On the whole, true flamenco is amazing and spontaneous; true flamenco dancing requires the pretty dress: but if you would like to see Flamenco dancing in Spain, you need to go to a show at a Tablao.
Fiestas and FestivalsSpain is famous for its famous fiestas and festivals over the world. There are more than 3,000 festivals and fiestas celebrated every year. The Spaniards are really fun-loving people and know how to enjoy the life.
Julio IglesiasThis Spanish crooner has gained international prominence for his romance ballads. He has sold over 300 million albums worldwide and is one of the top 15 best-selling musicians in history.
BullfightingBullfighting is probably one of the most controversial Spanish customs. Notwithstanding, the bull fights and bull runs in Pamplona never fail to attract large crowds, not only from Spain itself but from different parts over the world. Undoubtedly, it is a fascinating cultural tradition in Spain, which remains an ironic part of the country. Bullfighting tales place in Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Ronda and Pamplona.
Sangria and PaellaPaella is a traditional dish in Spain as well as sangria a national drink for Spaniards
Bullfighting is a dangerous sport, but soccer is definitely not. Soccer is significant in the lives of Spanish males. And with two of the most successful teams in European soccer, any sports fan should check out Spain's football bequest. Spain is the current European soccer champs and has won the Tour de France for three years in a row. Spanish customs and traditions came to Spain from the old generation, and still exist. As generations move with the times, often some customs or traditions can be lost. Hopefully, future generations will continue to enjoy the same legendary and controversial traits like Spanish do now.
Pablo PicassoThis native of Malaga known for one of his greatest works “The Guernica” is hailed as one of the greatest and most prolific artists of the 20th century. He was one of the proponents for Cubism for art and sculpture. Today, several museums around the world are dedicated to him and his works (Paris, Malaga, Barcelona) and some of his paintings are valued as among the most expensive paintings sold in auctions.
Miguel de CervantesMiguel de Cervantes was one of Spain’s most important literary figures, known around the world for his classic masterpiece “Don Quijote.” He was a poet, a playwright and a novelist whose works have greatly shaped Spanish literature and the language itself.
A type of Spanish food known as "Tapas" from a bar in Seville.As is true in many countries, the cuisines of Spain differ widely from one region to another, even though they all share certain common characteristics, which include:•The use of olive oil as a cooking ingredient in items such as fritters. It is also used raw.•The use of sofrito to start the preparation of many dishes.•The use of garlic and onions as major ingredients.•The custom of drinking wine during meals.
• Serving bread with the vast majority of meals.•Consumption of salad, especially in the summer.•The consumption of a piece of fruit or a dairy product as dessert. Desserts such as tarts and cake are typically reserved for special occasions.•The culture of Mexico has changed rapidly during the 19th and 20th centuries. In many ways, contemporary life in its cities has become similar to that in neighboring United States and Europe. Most Mexican villagers follow the older way of life more than the city people do.•More than 45 percent of the people in Mexico live in cities of over 50,000 inhabitants. Large metropolitan areas include Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Puebla-Tlaxcala, while rural areas include small areas throughout Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Sonora, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Yucatán, Aguascalientes, Michoacán, and many more.
Mexican cuisine is known for its blending of Indigenous and European cultures. Popular dishes include tacos, enchiladas, mole sauce, atole, tamales, and pozole. Traditionally the main Mexican ingredients consisted of maize, beans, meat, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, chili peppers, habenero peppers, onions, nuts, avocados and guavas. Popular beverages include water flavored with a variety of fruit juices, and cinnamon-flavored hot chocolate prepared with milk or water and blended until it becomes frothed using a traditional wooden tool called a molinillo. Alcoholic beverages native to Mexico include mescal, pulque, and tequila. Mexican beer is also popular in Mexico and are exported. There are international award-winning Mexican wineries that produce and export wine.[8]
The most important and frequently used spices in Mexican cuisine are chili powder, cumin, oregano, cilantro, epazote, cinnamon, and cocoa. Chipotle, a smoked-dried jalapeño pepper, is also common in Mexican cuisine. Many Mexican dishes also contain onions and garlic, which are also some of Mexico's staple foods.Next to corn, rice is the most common grain in Mexican cuisine. According to food writer Karen Hursh Graber, the initial introduction of rice to Spain from North Africa in the 14th century led to the Spanish introduction of rice to Mexico at the port of Veracruz in the 1520s. This, Graber says, created one of the earliest instances of the world's greatest Fusion cuisine's.[citation needed]
On the other hand, in Southeastern Mexico, especially in the Yucátan, is known for their spicy vegetable and meat dishes. The cuisine of Southeastern Mexico has quite a bit of Caribbean influence, given its geographical location. Seafood is commonly prepared in the states that border the Pacific Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, the latter having a famous reputation for its fish dishes, à la veracruzana.In modern times, other cuisines of the world have become very popular in Mexico, thus adopting a Mexican fusion. For example, sushi in Mexico is often made by using a variety of sauces based on mango and tamarind, and very often served with serrano-chili blended soy sauce, or complemented with vinegar, habenero peppers and chipotle peppers.[citation needed]
Chocolate originated in Mexico and was prized by the Aztecs. It remains an important ingredient in Mexican cookery.[citation needed]
Top 20 facts that may open you Spain in a new way1.Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe. It occupies 85% of Iberian Peninsula’s territory. It is in fact five times bigger than the United Kingdom.2.The country comprises of seventeen autonomous regions.3.The capital city of Spain is Madrid. It is the third most populated city in Europe as well as the fourth richest one. 4.Madrid is the greenest capital in Europe. The city enjoys more sunny days than almost any other city in Europe.5.The economy of Spain is the seventh largest in the world.6.94% of the citizens of Spain are Roman Catholic7.With more than 8 000 km of beaches Spain is one of the best tourist destinations in Europe. 8.Since nudity is absolutely legal in Spain one will find a lot of nudist beaches scattered through the coast.9.The official language of Spain is Spanish, there are however a lot of dialects. There are however independent languages spoken in autonomous republic of Spain. Among them are Gallego, Valencian and Catalan.10.In 2005 the same sex marriage became legal in Spain.11.Spain is known for its olive oil production. It produces about 45% of all olive oil in the world. 12.When in restaurant in Spain be aware of the fact that ordering big portions may be considered impolite if you will be unable to finish it. 13.Large tips are not common in Spain. But if you really liked the food and want to tip your waiter, you can leave some coins. 14.If you are invited to somebodies home and you want to compliment your host on delicious food, you should accept the second serving. But in this case you need to be 100% sure that you are able to finish it. 15.The most famous sport in Spain is soccer.16.The biggest privately owned stadium in the world – RFC Barcelona is located in Barcelona, Spain. It is able to fit about 100 000 people.17.Spanish Real Madrid is the most popular club in the world. It is supported by more than 200 million people. 18.The most controversial sport in Spain is bullfighting. It represents Spanish history, art and traditions. 19.Legendary Flamenco dance was originated in Spain. But not everyone is aware of the fact that Flamenco is not only a dance, it is a combination of music, dancing and guitar playing. Madrid is considered to be the Flamenco capital of the world. 20.Such outstanding people as Antoni Gaudi, Joan Miro and Salvador Dali come from Spain.
One thing I didn’t expect to hear on my visit to Mexico was a lot about Brazil. Mexico sees Brazil, as the other large economy in Latin America, as a bit of a rival fighting for its place in the sun.This not-so-generous sentiment has intensified in Mexico as the world’s attention is making a turn toward to Brazil in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup (in 2014) and the Rio de Janeiro Olympics (in 2016).The dilemma for Mexicans is simply this: It is hard enough for them even in the best of times to get anybody looking at Mexico City. But it is harder still at this juncture when the entire world, or so it seems, wants to go to Rio.To be sure, the competition is not just about the World Cup and the Olympic Games. Mexicans also see Brazil as a rival economic model for Latin America.Mexico remained committed to an open economy, as the country’s strategic promoters argue, even in the face its own “Tequila crisis” of 1994-95 and the global financial crisis of 2008. In contrast, Brazil, they say, has resorted to protectionism, particularly against Mexican industrial goods (especially in the automotive sector).The prevailing view in Mexico is that their own country, along with Chile, Colombia and Peru, are the good guys in Latin America, committed to openness to trade and foreign investment. As proof, it is offered that Mexico has the largest number of free trade agreements signed in the region, followed by Chile.In contrast, Brazil leads the camp of the bad guys embracing protectionism, outdone only by Argentina, the baddest guy in the neighborhood in terms of anti-trade policies.At the same time, there is grudging admiration in Mexico for the success that Brazil’s former President Lula da Silva and his successor Dilma Rousseff have had in fighting poverty in their country. Mexican experts do, of course, claim that this success is based on measures that Brazil copied from Mexico.But regardless of the merit of these endless comparisons with Brazil, Mexico has had a good story to tell in recent years.
Latin America’s economic
Latin America’s economic
First, there is its macroeconomic story. Over the past decade, with the exception of 2008, when the Lehman Brothers crisis left many countries reeling, economic growth has been in positive territory, most recently clocking in at 3.9% in 2012.Inflation, too, has been cut in half over the past decade, and the fiscal situation is respectable. The budget deficit amounts to only 2% of GDP, and net public sector debt clocks in at 34% of GDP. That is half of Brazil’s debt level — and one-third the size of the United States’.Those signs of good housekeeping aside, the first big factor favoring Mexico’s future is the wave of structural reforms being launched by President Enrique Peña Nieto, who took office in December 2012.Reaching key areas such as taxation, social security, education, pensions and competition policy, these reform measures — although long overdue — are bound to have a significant economic effect. Most specifically, they are expected to lead to a sustainable GDP growth rate of 5% a year going forward. This compares to a rate of only 2% over the past decade.Second, there is Mexico’s globalization story. Mexico is an open economy, with trade accounting for 60% of GDP. It is favorably connected to two-thirds of the global economy via its arsenal of free-trade agreements (FTAs). As both a Pacific and an Atlantic country, Mexico has strong global economic connections by sea and by air.Mexico is an enthusiastic supporter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Pacific Alliance within Latin America. The TPP countries represent a market of 658 million people and a combined GDP of $20.7 trillion, so it has not surprisingly attracted interest from Mexico.You can see the globalization of the Mexican economy most clearly by going to Monterrey. According to Rolando Zubiran, the state’s deputy minister for foreign investment, 80% of U.S.-Mexican economic activity passes through Monterrey, with its two railroad lines, large automotive sector, healthcare sector and 127 industrial parks.“Our aspiration is to be the “Bangalore of Mexico,’” he explains. There are strong links between Monterrey and the Asia-Pacific too, including with Australia.Finally, there is Mexico’s “demographic dividend.” The average age of Mexico’s population is 26 years. That gives the country an enormous supply of human capital hungry for skills and education.Seeing Rolando Zubiran, the young dynamic state official in Monterrey, strut his stuff with his young team of experts and managers shows how enthusiastic this generation is for Mexico to succeed. The main question is whether Mexico can keep them and if there will be a reverse of the brain drain – as has occurred in the direction of the United States in the past.
Corruption, crime and China
So much for the good news, I hear you say, now tell me the bad news.The main risks to Mexican economy are institutional. As is made plain in the influential book Why Nations Fail, by Daron Acemoglu of MIT and James A. Robinson of Harvard, Mexican political institutions have been historically weak. This has had long-term negative economic effects on Mexican entrepreneurship, competition policy, property rights and democracy.The first institutional issue is corruption and the related need for structural reform. President Pena-Nieto is conscious of the need to make a real push for economic and political reform in his first six months of office. This has become apparent in the recent arrest of Elba Esther Gordillo, the president of the Mexican Teachers Union, on charges of corruption.Far from pursuing a crooked union official, this move points to a big push for education reform, which is at the top of the new administration’s agenda, along with the related issue of labor reform and pensions.Gabriel Casillas, chief economist of Casa de Bolsa Banorte, believes that pension and payroll tax reform could make a significant impact on Mexico’s economy by encouraging more workers from the informal sector to join the formal labor market.This would not only have enormous implications for the country’s productivity, boosting bank assets and providing a dividend to the budget with increased direct income taxes. It would also change scores of lives and family career patterns for generations to come.The second, and related, issue is security. In key towns and regions throughout Mexico, security issues have re-emerged, largely as a direct result of drug-related gang violence. This is frightening foreign investors and, of course, many Mexican citizens themselves.In Monterrey, Rolando Zubiran, who enthusiastically explains the region’s economic success, argues that social media activism and the ubiquity of communications technology amplify the impact of isolated violent incidents. But he agrees that there is a problem in terms of both perception and reality.As a result, Mexico will continue to spend a large part of its economic growth dividend on security and public safety.The third challenge is overall competitiveness and the influence of China. After China joined the World Trade Organization, many of the gains Mexico made with the North American Free Trade Agreement vis-à-vis the United States and Canada were eroded, particularly in the manufacturing sector.Now, as China’s labor market tightens and that country’s demographics have begun to work against it (“getting old before you get rich”), it is expected that China’s wage rates will surpass Mexico’s (aside from productivity issues that are notoriously difficult to measure and compare).
The China factor in the Mexican equation brings us back to the Brazil-Mexico rivalry.Dr. Alfonso Guerra, a distinguished international official at the Bank of Mexico, told me an anecdote that epitomizes the rivalry. Told by a Brazilian official that “Mexicans are not Latin American, they are North American. They all speak English and 80% of their exports go to the United States,” a Mexican official reportedly replied: “Well, then you Brazilians should speak Chinese if you look at your current account.”Nevertheless, Mexicans do have some reason to be wary of Brazil’s increasing global profile, quite apart from hosting such signature events as the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.After all, what was the last Latin American nation to host both the World Cup and Olympics in such a short span of years? It was Mexico — in 1968 and 1970.That was Mexico’s moment. And with Brazil standing in the sporting world’s spotlight in 2014 and 2016, Mexico hopes it will be its economic attributes that will attract the world’s attention in years to come.
From America's beginning, Hispanic Americans have served as leaders in business, government, law, science, athletics, the arts, and many other fields. In 1822, Joseph Marion Hernández became the first Hispanic to serve as a member of the United States Congress, representing the newly established territory of Florida. Businessman Roberto Goizueta, a refugee from Cuba who rose to become the CEO of one of America's largest corporations, is an inspiring example of what immigrants to America can achieve through hard work and character. Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Roberto Clemente's athletic skills, generosity, and charity made him a legend on and off the baseball field. Through memorable recordings and performances, singer Celia Cruz celebrated her heritage and helped introduce salsa music to the United States. Hispanic Americans have sacrificed in defense of this Nation's freedom, serving in every major American conflict. More than three dozen Hispanic Americans have earned the Medal of Honor. Today, more than 125,000 Hispanic Americans serve in the Armed Forces, approximately 9 percent of our active-duty military. As we work to advance peace, freedom, and opportunity abroad, we are grateful to all of the brave men and women who serve our Nation, and to their families. During Hispanic Heritage Month, I join with all Americans in recognizing the many contributions of Hispanic Americans to the United States, and in celebrating Hispanic heritage and culture. To honor the achievements of Hispanic Americans, the Congress, by Public Law 100-402 as amended, has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating September 15 through October 15, as "National Hispanic Heritage Month." NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 15 through October 15, 2003, as National Hispanic Heritage Month. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth. GEORGE W. BUSH
