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Chinampas – Aztec floating gardens

Chinampas are artificial islands built by the Aztecs in the Valley of Mexico. These Aztec floating gardens were constructed on freshwater lakes, including Lake Texcoco, and were used for agricultural purposes. The word "chinampa" comes from the Nahuatl word "chināmitl" ("square made of canes") and the Nahuatl locative, "pan". Spaniards used the word "camellones" ("ridges between the rows") to describe chinampas. Chinampas ...
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Lake Texcoco

Lake Texcoco ("Lago Texcoco") was among the largest lakes in Mesoamerica, reaching its maximum size in the period following the last Ice Age (approximately 11,000 years ago when it covered almost the entire Valley of Mexico. The Valley of Mexico spans approximately 7,000 sq kilometers. At its peak, Lake Texcoco covered 5,668 square kilometers with a depth exceeding 150 meters. Over time, ...
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What does Mexico mean?

What does the word Mexico mean? The word "Mexico" comes from the Nahuatl language, which is the native language of the Aztecs. The name "Mexico" is believed to come from the Aztec word "Mēxihco" ("Mexico"). The Aztecs were actually called Mexica The people commonly referred to as "Aztecs" are more accurately known as "Mexica." The term "Aztec" is a more general term ...
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Alebrije

Alebrijes are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures depicting fantastical creatures. Alebrijes originated in Mexico City in the 20th century, in 1936. The first alebrijes, along with the term itself, originated with Pedro Linares. Pedro Linares was originally from México City, born there on June 29, 1906. Pedro Linares received Mexico's National Arts and Sciences Award in the Popular Arts and Traditions ...
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Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead ("Día de Muertos") is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, particularly in the central and southern regions, and by Mexicans living elsewhere, especially in the United States. This holiday is recognized in many cultures and countries and is dedicated to family and friends gathering to pray and remember deceased friends and family members and to help support ...
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La Calavera Catrina

La Calavera Catrina ('Dapper Skeleton' or 'Elegant Skull') is a 1910–1913 zinc etching by famous Mexican printmaker, cartoon illustrator, and lithographer José Guadalupe Posada. The image depicts a female skeleton dressed only in a hat befitting the upper-class outfit of a European of her time. She is offered as a satirical portrait of those Mexican natives who were aspiring to adopt European ...
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If you travel with your pet to Mexico

You must contact the official SAGARPA-SENASICA personnel to make a Certificate of Import of your pet, for this purpose, the officer will perform a physical and documentary inspection, to verify compliance with the following requirements: Present a Certificate of Health in original and simple copy with the following elements: Issued by an official veterinarian of the competent authority or if it is ...
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INAH has been closing monuments to public

The Mayan pyramids usually have steep stairways rising to the top, where there is often a temple or, at least, an altar. In the past, millions of tourists used to climb these pyramids. From its tops, the jungle looks like a living green carpet. Archaeological sites and pyramids in Mexico are managed by INAH In recent years, the National Institute of Anthropology ...
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Mesoamerican ballgame

Mesoamerican ballgame was a sport  with ritual associations. The game had different versions across Mesoamerica, and a newer more modern version of the game, ulama, is still played in a few places by the indigenous. The rules of the game are not known, but judging from its descendant, ulama, they were probably similar to racquetball, where the aim is to keep the ...
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2003 Colima earthquake

The 2003 Colima earthquake occurred on 21 January with a moment magnitude of 7.5 and maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). The epicenter was located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Colima. The earthquake was felt as far away as Mexico City and in southern parts of the United States. The 2003 Colima earthquake resulted in the death of ...
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