What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Mexico?

Step pyramids, vibrant mariachi music, world-class tequila, delicious street tacos, breathtaking sandy beaches, crystal-clear cenotes, and towering desert cacti are just the start. Mexico’s natural wonders and cultural diversity offer endless attractions for travelers worldwide.

These surprising facts about Mexico reveal fascinating aspects of the country’s history, culture, and traditions that many visitors overlook. From ancient civilizations to modern achievements, this insight offers a deeper understanding of Mexico’s unique identity.

Mexico is home to the largest pyramid in the world

The Pyramid of Cholula, located in the historic city of Puebla, Mexico, is officially recognized as the largest pyramid in the world. This awe-inspiring archaeological site is a must-see destination for travelers interested in ancient civilizations and architecture.

Standing 66 meters tall with a massive 400-meter base and a volume of 4.5 million cubic meters, the Pyramid of Cholula surpasses the Great Pyramid of Giza in size. Despite its record-breaking dimensions, it remains one of Mexico’s lesser-known historical treasures.

Hidden beneath what appears to be a natural hill, the Pyramid of Cholula is crowned by a striking colonial-era church built by Spanish conquerors. This unique blend of ancient indigenous architecture and Spanish heritage creates one of Mexico’s most intriguing landmarks.

69 different languages are spoken in Mexico today

This makes Mexico one of the world’s most linguistically diverse countries. Alongside Spanish, 68 indigenous languages such as Náhuatl, Mixteco, and Otomí are still spoken, preserving the nation’s rich cultural heritage and ancient linguistic traditions.

No other country in the Americas matches Mexico’s diversity of indigenous languages. Recognized as national languages alongside Spanish, these native tongues reflect centuries of history, identity, and cultural pride, still thriving in many rural communities.

Mexico City is the world’s second city with the most museums

From the majestic Metropolitan Cathedral to the stunning Palacio de Bellas Artes and the preserved ruins of ancient Aztec temples, Mexico offers an unparalleled cultural experience, blending pre-Hispanic history with colonial art and modern creativity.

Home to over 170 museums, Mexico City ranks as the second city in the world with the most museums, surpassed only by London’s 200. This vast selection covers everything from art and history to anthropology and science, making it a paradise for culture lovers.

Mexico has the largest number of taxis in the world

With around 60,000 registered taxis, Mexico has the largest taxi fleet in the world, with most operating in bustling Mexico City. Known for their affordability, taxi fares here are among the lowest globally, making them a convenient and budget-friendly way to travel.

Mexico is one of the world’s largest Coca-Cola consumers

Mexico ranks as the world’s top consumer of Coca-Cola, with each person drinking an astonishing 163 liters annually. This unmatched level of soda consumption is deeply ingrained in Mexican culture, from bustling city cafés to small-town corner stores.

Mexico ranks as Latin America’s top tourist destination

Mexico is Latin America’s most visited country, welcoming the highest number of international tourists in the region and ranking 10th worldwide. Its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant cities attract millions of travelers every year.

With 32 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites, Mexico leads the Americas and ranks 6th globally. These protected destinations highlight Mexico’s historical significance and cultural wealth, ranging from ancient ruins to colonial towns and natural wonders.

The meteorite that wiped out the dinosaurs struck Yucatán

The massive meteorite that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago struck the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, leaving behind a gigantic impact crater measuring 180 square kilometers and more than 600 meters deep. This historic crater was discovered in 1981.

The color TV was invented by a Mexican engineer

Guillermo González Camarena was a brilliant Mexican engineer who, at just 23 years old in 1940, patented the first practical system for color television transmission. His invention laid the groundwork for the worldwide development of color TV broadcasting technologies.

His innovative color image transmission system, known as the “chromoscopic adapter for television equipment,” allowed black-and-white TVs to receive color broadcasts, significantly advancing the television industry in the mid-20th century and influencing future innovations.

While later space missions like Voyager 1 used advanced imaging technologies, González Camarena’s pioneering work contributed foundational ideas to color image transmission systems. His invention remains a symbol of Mexican ingenuity in global technological progress.

Mexican cuisine is officially recognized as a World Cultural Heritage

Mexican cuisine is celebrated worldwide for its rich flavors and diverse ingredients. Rooted in ancient indigenous traditions and influenced by Spanish colonial recipes, it blends native foods like corn, beans, and chili peppers with European cooking techniques.

UNESCO declared Mexican cuisine an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This honor highlights the deep connection between food, history, and community in Mexico, preserving traditional cooking methods and recipes passed down through generations.

Mexico City was built on a lake and is sinking about 12 cm each year

In 1325, the Aztecs founded their majestic capital, Tenochtitlan, on the sacred waters of Lake Texcoco. This unique city, built on an island with canals and causeways, became a powerful center of culture, religion, and trade in pre-Hispanic Mexico.

In 1519, Spanish conquistadors arrived and eventually destroyed Tenochtitlan. They built their colonial capital over its ruins. Over time, this settlement evolved into modern Mexico City, blending indigenous and European influences into a sprawling metropolis.

Today, Mexico City faces a serious environmental challenge: it is sinking at an alarming rate of about 12 cm per year. The excessive extraction of groundwater from the soft, lakebed soil causes the ground to subside, threatening infrastructure and residents across the city.