Mexico is a diverse country with different geographies and colourful cultures. With its rich history, you can find plenty of interesting Mexico facts for kids. Some of these fascinating facts include things that may surprise you about the country or they could also be things you did not know about.
Let’s dive into some interesting Mexico facts for kids.
Fascinating Mexico Facts for Kids
Mexico’s Physical Geography
1. Mexico is on the continent of North America, together with Canada and the United States of America. However, it is also considered part of Latin America which includes countries from South America.
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2. Mexico is the third largest country in Latin America, coming in after Brazil and Argentina.
3. The official name of Mexico is Estados Unidos Mexicanos or the United Mexican States.
4. There are a total of 31 states in Mexico and a Federal District.
5. The population of Mexico is concentrated around the centre of the country. More than half of the population lives in the centre of the country.
6. Mexico is around three times the size of Texas.
7. As Mexico is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most actively tectonic places on the Earth, you will find active volcanos in Mexico.
8. There are around 200 volcanos in Mexico. The largest concentration of volcanoes can be found in the state of Chiapas.
9. The world’s smallest volcano, Popocatepetl Volcano, can be found in Mexico. It stands 43 feet or 13 meters tall.
10. The highest point in Mexico is Citlaltépetl which is a volcanic peak.
11. The lakes of Las Coloradas in the Yucatan Peninsula are bright pink. This is the result of red algae and plankton.
12. Mexico City is built on a lake and it is sinking a little by little every year.
Mexico’s Flora and Fauna: Interesting Facts
13. Mexico is one of the world’s most biologically diverse countries. It has a vast range of eco-systems including deserts, tropical rainforests and mountains. These diverse eco-systems support a variety of mammals and reptiles.
14. Every year, millions of monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico during the winter time.
15. There is a reserve for the monarch butterfly in Mexico’s eastern Michoacán state. The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.
16. One of the most impressive animals found in Mexico is the jaguar. It is also the largest wild cat in North America.
17. Mexico is home to many endangered animals species including the leatherback sea turtles, the Mexican Gray Wolf and the Jaguar.
18. The Chihuahua dog is named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua.
19. The national dog of Mexico is the Xoloitzcuintli. Also known as the Mexican Hairless Dog, the Xoloitzcuintli is a native dog of Mexico.
20. The Xoloitzcuintli is sacred to the Aztecs and legend has it that they would deliver souls to the Underworld.
21. The national bird of Mexico is the Golden Eagle.
Interesting Facts about Mexico’s People and Culture
22. Spanish is the official language of Mexico.
23. There are over 50 indigenous languages spoken in Mexico.
24. There is no official religion in Mexico.
25. Four-fifths of the Mexican population live in cities.
26. Mexico has the largest number of Spanish speakers in the world; it even outnumbers Spain.
27. Schooling is compulsory for children between the ages of 6 to 18 in Mexico.
28. Preschool attendance was made compulsory in 2004.
29. Some people may mistake Cinco de Mayo as Mexico’s Independence Day. However, it is not. Instead, Mexico celebrates its Independence Day on September 16.
30. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican Army’s victory over France in the Puebla. As such, the festival is most celebrated in Puebla.
31. Cinco de Mayo celebrations are more popular in the United States than they are in the rest of Mexico besides Puebla.
32. In Mexico, the food is dominated by the “trinity of staples”. These are corn, beans and squash. Rice is also a common staple that is served in Mexico.
33. There are more than 50 varieties of corn found in Mexico.
34. Do you enjoy Caesar Salad? You can thank Italian-American restaurateur Caesar Cardini who came up with it in Tijuana, Mexico back in 1924.
35. One of the most well known Mexican festivals is the Day of The Dead or Día de los Muertos. This is celebrated on November 1 and is a time for families to remember their loved ones who have passed away.
36. The Spanish that Mexican speak is different from the Spanish spoken in Spain.
37. There are a total of 34 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mexico.
38. Mexican food is on the UNESCO list of Intangible World Cultural Heritage.
39. The name Mexico comes from the Mexica tribe of Central Mexico.
40. The old word for Mexico was “metztlixcictlico”. This is made up of three sounds in the old Nahuatl language. Metztlixcictlico means “place at the center of the moon”.
41. When the Spanish arrived in 1519, they had difficulty pronouncing metztlixcictlico and they shorted the word to Mexico.
42. The colours of the Mexican flag are green, white and red. Green stands for independence, white stands for religion and red stands for union.
43. The Mexican national anthem was created as a result of a lyrics competition followed by a music competition. It was first used in 1854 but it was only officially adopted in 1943.
44. The largest foreign-born population group in Mexico are United States of America citizen.
More Fun and Interesting Facts about Mexico
45. In Mexico, toilet paper is not flushed down the toilet. Instead, it is thrown into bins.
46. Children in Mexico do not receive presents on Christmas Day. Instead, presents are usually given on January 6 or the Day of the Three Kings.
47. There are more than 60 pyramids in Mexico. These were built by the Aztecs and the Mayas.
48. The world’s largest pyramid is found in Mexico. The Great Pyramid of Cholula is even larger than the Pyramids of Giza.
49. The National University of Mexico was founded in 1551 by Charles V of Spain. This makes it the oldest university in North America.
50. The first printing press in North America arrived in Mexico. It was used in Mexico City in 1539.
51. The colour television was invented in Mexico. It was invented by Guillermo González Camarena and the first colour television transmission took place in Mexico City in 1946.
52. Europeans were introduced to chocolate through Mexico. The drink was brought over to Europe by Hernan Cortez when he returned from Mexico.
53. There are more than 60 varieties of bananas in Mexico.
54. Mexico City is filled with museums. It is estimated that there are more than 170 museums in the city.
55. Mexico’s Chichen Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
56. Mexicans love their Coca-Cola. It was estimated that each person drinks 163 liters of the soda each year.
57. Mexico is the most popular tourist destination in Latin America.
58. The national emblem of Mexico is an eagle holding snake in its beak. This symbol dates back to the time of the Aztecs and is based on the legend of the founding of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan.
59. Mexico’s first documented piñata was said to be in Acolman in the 16th century. Even though it is closely associated with Mexico, it is thought it has its origins in China.
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60. The national dance of Mexico is the Mexican hat dance or Jarabe Tapatío.
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