William Walker’s Republic of Sonora
The Republic of Sonora was a short-lived, unrecognized federal republic ruled by filibuster William Walker in 1854. It was based in Baja California, which also claimed (but never controlled) Sonora. In the summer of 1853, an American adventurer and filibuster Walker traveled to Guaymas seeking a grant from the government of Mexico to create a colony that would serve as a fortified ...
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Devil’s Cave in Mazatlan
One of the most visited tourist attractions in Mazatlan due to its mystery and antiquity is the Cueva del Diablo ("Devil’s Cave"), a place that is sheltered by the slopes of the Cerro de la Nevería and which is located on Paseo Claussen. Devil's Cave is situated on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It's famous for its stunning views of the ...
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Sombrero Mexicano
The word "sombrero" means "hat" ("shadower") and refers to a type of wide-brimmed hat from Mexico, used to shield from the sun. Also called the "poblano", these hats with crowns and wide brims came from Spain. A sombrero usually has a high-pointed crown, an extra-wide brim (broad enough to cast a shadow over the head, neck, and shoulders of the wearer, and ...
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Pulque
Pulque, occasionally referred to as agave wine, is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of the maguey (agave) plant. It is traditional to central Mexico, where it has been produced for millennia. It has the color of milk, a somewhat viscous consistency, and a sour yeast-like taste. The manufacturing process of pulque is complex and required the death of the ...
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Agave & Mexican alcoholic beverage
Agave is a genus of monocots native to the hot and arid regions of Mexico. The plants are perennial, but each rosette flowers once and then dies. Some species are known by the name "century plant" because of the long time the plant takes to flower. Agaves are succulents with a large rosette of thick, fleshy leaves, with most species ending in ...
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Tourist Yu’u
If living the life of the Zapotec is a cultural experience you could appreciate there's no better way perhaps than to book a room at one or several of the special Zapotec Yu'u constructed in various villages across the Oaxaca Valley. Yú'ù is a Zapotec word meaning house, and in this particular case, local houses have been refitted to accommodate tourists wanting ...
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Artisanal Mezcal in Oaxaca
This article was kindly contributed by Mezcal Educational Excursions of Oaxaca. Artisanal Mezcal in Oaxaca: No Two Batches Are Alike No, not all mezcal distilled in Oaxaca is smoky, and no, the difference between tequila and its misunderstood cousin is not that the former is commercial or industrial and the latter is handcrafted. But the truth is that the lesser-known Mexican agave-based ...
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Another calpulli remains found in Mexico City
Mexico City, with its rich tapestry of history and culture, continues to surprise. What sets Mexico City apart is its unique blend of the contemporary and the ancient. Mexico City is a place where historical treasures coexist with the vibrant energy of a modern metropolis. The city's continued commitment to preserving its heritage through diligent archaeological work enriches our understanding of the ...
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Cenotes in Yucatan
A cenote is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath. Associated with the Yucatán Peninsula, cenotes were sometimes used by the ancient Maya for sacrificial offerings. The term derives from a word used by the low-land Yucatec Maya "ts'onot" to refer to any location with accessible groundwater. Cenotes are surface connections to subterranean ...
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Mexico City’s metro icons
Each metro station in Mexico City is identified by a single icon. Created at a time when the country's literacy rate was low and the capital's metro system was small, the design concept was intuitive and easy to execute. Since one-third of Mexico's population could not read or write, and most of the rest had not completed high school, it was thought ...
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