Oaxaca's indigenous groups (Interactive map)

Did you know? Oaxaca is the most culturally diverse state in Mexico

Did You Know…? The inter-census population count in Mexico in 2005 found that more than one million people in Oaxaca spoke at least one indigenous Indian language. Close behind came the state of Chiapas with about 950,000 indigenous language speakers. A previous Did You Know column looked at how the Mam people of Chiapas have […]

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Growth of tourism in Cancún. Geo-Mexico, Fig 19.5.

The incredible growth of Cancun, Mexico’s leading tourist resort

By 1975, Cancún had 1769 rooms in service; by 2008, it boasted about 150 hotels and more than 27,000 rooms. Second only to Mexico City, Cancún airport now handles 200 flights a day. The influx of people to Cancún has been especially dramatic. The city has had to cope with unprecedented growth rates as its […]

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Citlaltépetl, as painted by Velasco, 1897

Did you know? An early ascent of Mexico’s highest peak, El Pico de Orizaba

Scientists first explored El Pico de Orizaba, Mexico’s highest peak, as long ago as 1838. El Pico de Orizaba, or Citlaltépetl (= star), is Mexico’s highest peak, with a summit 5,746 meters (18,853 feet) above sea level. The third highest peak in North America, it is also that region’s highest volcano, responsible for major eruptions […]

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Travel by train (Campbell's Guide, 1899)

Did you know? The first Mexico tourist guide books

Comprehensive guide books to Mexico have existed for more than 120 years. Modern travelers to Mexico are often hard-pressed to choose their favorite guide. Fodor’s, Frommer’s, Real Guide, Insight Guide, Moon Guides, Lonely Planet and Rough Guide all have their fans. All have their own strengths, though all are competing for the same market. But […]

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Did you know? In Chiapas, Mexico’s Mam turn to organic farming

Organic farming has helped some indigenous peoples in Mexico to reinvent themselves. How many people are there? According to INEGI figures, about six million Mexicans over the age of five speak at least one indigenous language. Another three million Mexicans consider themselves indigenous but no longer speak any indigenous language. How many indigenous towns or […]

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The San Marcos Fair in Aguascalientes, and what to do afterwards

The San Marcos Fair, held from the second week in April to the first week of May each year, attracts thousands of visitors from all over Mexico and the United States. It dates back to 1604 when a small indigenous Indian settlement, San Marcos, was founded within walking distance of the growing Spanish city of […]

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CETAC building Tec. de Monterrey

Tony Burton’s Self-Guided Tours: The Sights of Monterrey

Monterrey may not be the oldest city in the country, or retain many signs of its colonial past, but it is one of Mexico’s most vibrant cities today, with lots of sights for the traveler. Interactive computer terminals located at strategic points, including the airport and major hotels, help visitors find out about the city’s […]

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The Asia; oil on canvas by Angel Cortellini Sánchez, dated 1896

Did you know? An early Jules Verne story was set in Mexico

What’s more, he wrote it without ever setting foot in Mexico! Most people know Jules Verne (1828-1905) as one of the pioneers of science fiction writing. His most famous works include Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (a submarine voyage with Captain Nemo as the enigmatic hero), A Journey to the Center of the Earth (in which Prof Lidenbrock […]

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