Mexico Facts – What Makes Mexico So Fascinating?

People often associate Mexico with mariachi bands, tequila, tacos and stunning beaches – which are all valid associations – but there’s much more to this country than meets the eye.

Mexico is an incredible Latin country boasting everything from the world’s largest pyramid to its smallest volcano! Here are 10 astonishing facts about this diverse and beautiful nation you may not have known about!

Mexico City is sinking

Mexico stands out for more than its pyramids and ancient ruins: it’s home to one of the world’s highest levels of biological diversity, housing an amazing range of flora and fauna as well as rich cultural traditions that give this country its distinctive edge.

Are you searching for an entertaining Mexico fact to share with friends? Consider this: the country’s capital city, Mexico City, is sinking at an alarming rate due to geographical factors like population growth and leaky infrastructure as well as climate change.

Mexico City may seem like it was built by an inept Aztec civilization, but its problems have been slowly building for centuries. Beginning with colonizers draining of its lake in 16th-century Mexico City by European colonists and ongoing groundwater extraction faster than replenishment caused its clay sheets to compress and crack, eventually sinking buildings while breaking water lines.

City leaders have attempted to address this problem, but have only succeeded in creating an ongoing cycle: as the city sinks further it requires more water be drawn from underground aquifers, leading to further pipe ruptures and thus further speeding up its sinking.

Repair brigades travel across the city every year plugging 40,000 water ruptures; many go unreported until people notice low water pressure; further worsened by sinkholes sinking into subway tunnels and potable water lines, creating a serious safety crisis. While work and funds are being allocated towards fixing this issue, fixing it will require considerable efforts and money from all involved.

It’s home to the world’s largest pyramid

Mexico may not get all the glory, but Mexico boasts one of the largest pyramids in the world: Quetzalcoatl pyramid in Cholula de Rivadavia is currently holding Guinness Record status for being world’s largest pyramid, standing 66 meters tall and 450 meters wide with an astounding base size that nearly doubles Pharaoh Khufu’s Great Pyramid at Giza.

This impressive temple was named for the Aztec god of wind and rain; however, its builders remain unknown. Their architects did an exceptional job of blending in seamlessly with its surroundings by making it appear like a natural hill from far away; this strategy helped the pyramid remain undetected by Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes when he stormed the city; during their massacre which claimed some 3,000 lives, they destroyed its topmost pyramid temple before replacing it with a Catholic church instead.

Archaeologists began excavating tunnels beneath the pyramid in 1931 under Ignacio Marquina’s leadership due to his previous experience at Teotihuacan’s pyramids under Manuel Gamio. Marquina and his team excavated many stairways, platforms, altars and carved skull shrines within its interior before discovering Patio Of Carved Skulls; an underground plaster-covered shrine of skulls built into a courtyard within the pyramid itself.

Though its precise origins remain a mystery, many scholars speculate that the pyramid may have been constructed to honor Quetzalcoatl, an Aztec god of wind and rain. Others think it may have even predated his arrival a thousand years or more; its six layers stacked upon each other look similar to Russian dolls; this structure likely grew over time with additions made by different civilizations over time.

It’s the world’s biggest drinker

While Heineken-producing Netherlands may be the world’s top exporter of beer, Mexico – with $4.2 billion imported in 2019 – comes close behind. Beer remains Mexico’s favorite alcoholic drink and thus it makes perfect sense that beer remains one of the world’s most consumed alcoholic drinks.

Tejate has become such an integral part of Mexican cuisine that it is considered one of the nation’s beloved culinary traditions. Made from lightly fermented sap derived from an agave plant, this ancient beverage can be found across Mexico in various forms – and may have even served as currency during ancient Aztec rule!

Pulque is another beverage associated with Mexico that has a rich history dating back to pre-Hispanic times. Due to its fermentation process, this special drink remains unique among similar beverages worldwide and helps preserve part of Mexico’s cultural identity that may otherwise quickly disappear.

Pulque may be popular, but its water can sometimes contain harmful toxins and parasites which pose serious health threats. When compounded with overexerting the city’s water system, this poses an urgent need to address immediately.

Mexico City faces a serious water issue, with many of its residents lacking access to safe drinking water sources. Mexico City’s tap water has long been notoriously polluted and linked with salmonella outbreaks as well as other serious gastrointestinal infections and salmonella infections. An inefficient sewer system makes bacteria easily reach their way into Mexico City’s drinking supply.

It’s home to the world’s smallest volcano

Cuexcomate stands only 43 feet high – or roughly the height of three-story buildings! That makes it the smallest volcano on Earth; Mauna Loa in Hawaii stands nearly twice as tall.

Cuexcomate, located in Mexico’s Puebla region, is often misinterpreted by locals as an active volcano; in fact, scientific research has established it is inactive geyser.

Volcanoes are openings in the Earth’s surface that permit lava, ash, and steam to erupt from them. Volcanoes may be active, dormant, or extinct; an active volcano has recently erupted and may do so again in the future, while dormant volcanoes have not erupted for an extended period and likely won’t erupt ever again.

Cuexcomate stands small in stature but remains one of the city’s most striking landmarks due to its unique shape and crater. Reportedly formed during an eruption from Popocatepetl Peak in 1064, locals believe its name “Cuexcomate”, meaning a bowl for saving things, came about from indigenous people using this mountain as an extra storage facility to store food or other valuables for safekeeping purposes.

No matter your opinion about Mexico, there are plenty of fascinating and fun facts about its beautiful country. From Las Coloradas’ cotton candy pink waters to its legendary gods and goddesses depicted on pyramids and in artwork, Mexico boasts a vibrant and diverse culture worthy of exploration. Boasting 68 different official languages as well as impressive culinary traditions – there is so much waiting to be discovered here.

It’s home to la Dia de los Muertos

People often think of Mexico in terms of mariachi bands, tequila, tacos and beaches – while these associations are accurate, there’s much more to this fascinating country than meets the eye.

Did you know Mexico is home to the world’s largest pyramid? Cholula in Puebla State measures 66 meters high and 400 meters across, dwarfing Giza by over 20 feet! Unfortunately, however, its presence can often go overlooked due to being concealed behind mountains and churches constructed by Spanish conquerors.

On November 2 of each year, Mexicans commemorate those they have lost with La Dia de los Muertos, or All Saints Day. This unique holiday dates back over one millennium to indigenous communities of central Mexico and incorporates both indigenous traditions and Catholic practices – it’s one of Mexico’s most significant holidays!

Reminding their loved ones who have passed is also part of this beautiful tradition; visiting gravesites of family members and creating altars with candles, flowers and food to honor them. Families also play music and dance around grave sites as part of this powerful and distinctive element of Mexican culture. This celebration of death makes Mexico truly remarkable.

Many people also observe this holiday by drinking tequila and indulging in traditional Mexican dishes like tamales and mole. As this popular beverage hails from Mexico, its consumption by Mexicans is well known worldwide – in fact, each Mexican consumes an estimated daily average of 2.2 liters!