Living in Mexico

When we were shopping recently we found a book called Living in Mexico. I thought it would be a great way to learn about the country:

Hola! Mexico is a country in North America where more than 120 million people live! Mexico has two huge deserts. In the deserts they have roadrunners, mountain lions  and cactus's that can be up to 60 feet tall! There are 2 mountain ranges that go through Mexico's east and west sides.  In the middle of the mountains is Mountain Plateau. Mexico's capital is really easy to remember it is Mexico City. Mexico City is on the top of the Plateau. Guadalajara has a festival every year for all kinds of Mexican music, called mariachi. Cancun is known for it's many beach's . Oaxaca is known for it's colorful festivals and folk art. Some people in Mexico eat fried eggs, beans and sauce with a tortilla for breakfast.  In November Mexico has a holiday called Day of the Dead where they celebrate friends and family that have died. On that day there are many parades and celebrations for the people who have died.  

Want to know where chocolate originated? Mexico! Around 4 thousand years ago chocolate was made by crushing cacao beans down and adding vanilla, honey, Chili peppers and water. That is how hot chocolate started - only rulers, very wealthy people and warriors drank hot chocolate.  

Mexico's History10,000 years ago came together to grow crops on land. 1500 BCE Olmec people started growing corn,beans and cotton. In 600 BCE the Omlecs decided to have 2 different groups. On of the groups was the Mayans. In the middle of 1325 CE and 1519 CE the Aztec's conquered groups and brought hem together. Aztecs built pyramids, temples, jewelery and art. Te Aztecs lived in huge cities together. In 1519 CE Hernan Cortes the European explorer was sent to claim Aztecs land for Spain. Sadly he succeeded an they called there land New Spain (how appropriate).Spain was extremly happy with there new land and had it for nearly 300 years. But the people who lived in New Spain wanted a country all to themselves so they fought and fought tho have there own country and finally in 1821 they got there wish. New Spain become Mexico! 

Population: 122 million
Capital: Mexico City
Language: Spanish and 60 others but Spanish is the main language.  Mexico's coat of arms is an eagle with a snake in his mouth  standing on a cactus.