This source is very good to learn more about the culture of Mexico. This source goes into depth about the culture. It breaks down each cultural element which allows for a better understanding of culture in the country of Mexico.
http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Mexico.html
http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Mexico.html
This source does a good job on giving an overview of the culture in Mexico. It highlights the main culture elements and the main cultural customs and traditions. This is good to see what is the main things of culture in Mexico.
http://www.livescience.com/38647-mexican-culture.html
http://www.livescience.com/38647-mexican-culture.html
This map reflects the idea of religion as the cultural element. This map shows that religion is a huge part of the culture in Mexico. More specifically, the belief of Catholicism. This map shows the percentages of people who identify themselves as Catholics in Mexico. According to this map, Catholicism looks to be one of the main religions in Mexico.
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(Figure 1, Health) This shows the amount of child deaths in Mexico compared to other countries in 1950.
(Figure 2, Health) Child deaths in Mexico in 2015. It is relatively low compared to other countries.
(Figure 3, Population) This is the total population of Mexico in 1950. It isn't to high compared to the other countries.
(Figure 4, Population) This is the population of Mexico in 2013. It has one of the highest populations in North America.
The amount of people in Mexico was not very high in 1950 (Figure 3). I believe that since medicine was not advanced in the 1950, this caused the death of many children which in turn kept the population very low for Mexico (Figure 1). As medicine began to become more reliable and advanced, it saved many more lives. With more people having more access to medicine in modern time, the number of child deaths began to decrease as seen in Figure 2. This in turn lead Mexico to have more people alive which made their population higher in 2013 (Figure 4). With more technology and medicine, this all prevented child deaths over time and allowed Mexico's population to rise because of it.
Religion in Mexico
One of the main religions in Mexico is Roman Catholicism. It accounts for about 89% of the population of Mexico. A man by the name Hernan Cortes was the one who brought this religion to Mexico. He was a Spanish conqueror who landed on the coast of Mexico in the year 1519 (Mexico – Religion). He traveled with a Roman Catholic clergy which is a main reason in why he was able to influence others when it came to religion. One of their goals was to convert the Indians to their religion. They were able to persuade the natives to destroy their idols and to build a shrine for the Virgin, something that Catholics idolize (The Catholic Church). A lady who is referred to as La Malinche, later baptized as Donna Marina was a native of the land who acted as an interpreter for Cortes originally (The Catholic Church). She herself converted and then tried to convert her fellow people (The Catholic Church). That was how Roman Catholicism began in Mexico.
Religion shows up in the culture of Mexico very much. Religious festivities are a part of the family life in Mexico (Mexican Family Culture). There are also thousands of cities that are named after saints. Those cities celebrate their patron saints that there city is named after annually (Mexican Family Culture). One other example of a festivity that is religious is Dia de los Muertos. This is a day in which people remember loved ones who have died. They decorate their houses and dress up in colorful costumes to honor the dead. They pray for their loved ones who have passed away and help them through their journey of the afterlife that they believe in.
There are many sacred places when it comes to the religion of Catholicism. One is the Holy Land which is the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. There are also many shrines around the world that are very sacred to Catholics. One of the more famous chapels in the world is The Sistine Chapel, in Vatican City, it is visited for its extraordinary painted ceiling (Sacred Places). Most of the sacred places are in Europe, however there is one place that is located in Mexico that is sacred to Catholics. Near Mexico City, the shrine of Guadalupe is built there along with churches. This is where Mary instructed a man to make sure that a church was built there in her honor so that people could worship her (Sacred Places).
There are some connections when it comes to government and religion. In the past they have been trying to separate themselves. There have been times where the church weighs in on legislation. One example is the Stupak Amendment. This amendment does not allow for federal funds to pay for an abortion since that is going against the churches belief (Mexico's Separation). This is a good example on how they are connected. The church and government have been fighting for separation in Mexico for over a century (Mexico’s Separation).
All in all I think religion plays a huge role in Mexico. Based on the fact that about 89% of their population shares the same religion, it’s easy to say that it plays an important role in their everyday life. Everyone has the same beliefs and they all celebrate the same holidays. I do feel however that the people are missing out on the diversity of being around different religions. I also feel that since they all have the same religion that they must not be very accepting towards other people with different religions since all they really know are catholic people. Those are just a few of my thoughts on religion in Mexico.
Mexican Family Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
Mexico - Religion. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
Mexico's Separation of Church and State. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
Sacred Places to the Catholics. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
The Catholic Church in Mexico: Triumphs and traumas. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
Religion shows up in the culture of Mexico very much. Religious festivities are a part of the family life in Mexico (Mexican Family Culture). There are also thousands of cities that are named after saints. Those cities celebrate their patron saints that there city is named after annually (Mexican Family Culture). One other example of a festivity that is religious is Dia de los Muertos. This is a day in which people remember loved ones who have died. They decorate their houses and dress up in colorful costumes to honor the dead. They pray for their loved ones who have passed away and help them through their journey of the afterlife that they believe in.
There are many sacred places when it comes to the religion of Catholicism. One is the Holy Land which is the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. There are also many shrines around the world that are very sacred to Catholics. One of the more famous chapels in the world is The Sistine Chapel, in Vatican City, it is visited for its extraordinary painted ceiling (Sacred Places). Most of the sacred places are in Europe, however there is one place that is located in Mexico that is sacred to Catholics. Near Mexico City, the shrine of Guadalupe is built there along with churches. This is where Mary instructed a man to make sure that a church was built there in her honor so that people could worship her (Sacred Places).
There are some connections when it comes to government and religion. In the past they have been trying to separate themselves. There have been times where the church weighs in on legislation. One example is the Stupak Amendment. This amendment does not allow for federal funds to pay for an abortion since that is going against the churches belief (Mexico's Separation). This is a good example on how they are connected. The church and government have been fighting for separation in Mexico for over a century (Mexico’s Separation).
All in all I think religion plays a huge role in Mexico. Based on the fact that about 89% of their population shares the same religion, it’s easy to say that it plays an important role in their everyday life. Everyone has the same beliefs and they all celebrate the same holidays. I do feel however that the people are missing out on the diversity of being around different religions. I also feel that since they all have the same religion that they must not be very accepting towards other people with different religions since all they really know are catholic people. Those are just a few of my thoughts on religion in Mexico.
Mexican Family Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
Mexico - Religion. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
Mexico's Separation of Church and State. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
Sacred Places to the Catholics. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
The Catholic Church in Mexico: Triumphs and traumas. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
This map shows the religion of Catholics around the world in the the top 25 nations. This map shows that Mexico has the second highest number of Catholics living in their country.
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This is the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. This is a very sacred place for Catholics.
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This is the celebration of Dias de los Muertos. This is where people gather to celebrate loved ones who have passed away. They light candles and pray for their dead loved ones.
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This is a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She is very sacred to the Catholic people.
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Food in Mexico
These are some of the different types of food you can expect when going to Mexico. Different types of soups, sandwiches and tacos. In just about every food you can get in Mexico, you can also expect to accompany it with some sort of salsa. From personal experience, I have never eaten food in Mexico without salsa being available to me.
Enchiladas are a very popular dish that date back to the Mayan times. It is either a corn or flour tortilla that is filled with many things ranging from cheese, meat, seafood, beans, vegetables or all of the above. Here is a recipe for chicken enchiladas. This is one of my favorite dishes that my mother makes.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breast
Salt and pepper
2 teaspoons cumin powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon Mexican Spice Blend
1 red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
5 canned whole green chiles, seeded and coarsely chopped
4 canned chipotle chiles, seeded and minced
1 (28-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour
16 corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups enchilada sauce, canned
1 cup shredded Cheddar and Jack cheeses
Garnish: chopped cilantro leaves, chopped scallions, sour cream, chopped tomatoes
Coat large saute pan with oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Brown chicken over medium heat, allow 7 minutes each side or until no longer pink. Sprinkle chicken with cumin, garlic powder and Mexican spices before turning. Remove chicken to a platter, allow to cool.
Saute onion and garlic in chicken drippings until tender. Add corn and chiles. Stir well to combine. Add canned tomatoes, saute 1 minute.
Pull chicken breasts apart by hand into shredded strips. Add shredded chicken to saute pan, combine with vegetables. Dust the mixture with flour to help set.
Microwave tortillas on high for 30 seconds. This softens them and makes them more pliable. Coat the bottom of 2 (13 by 9-inch) pans with a ladle of enchilada sauce. Using a large shallow bowl, dip each tortilla in enchilada sauce to lightly coat. Spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture in each tortilla. Fold over filling, place 8 enchiladas in each pan with seam side down. Top with remaining enchilada sauce and cheese.
Bake for 15 minutes in a preheated 350 degree F oven until cheese melts. Garnish with cilantro, scallion, sour cream and chopped tomatoes before serving. Serve with Spanish rice and beans.
Recipe courtesy of Tyler Florence
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/chicken-enchiladas-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Enchiladas are a very popular dish that date back to the Mayan times. It is either a corn or flour tortilla that is filled with many things ranging from cheese, meat, seafood, beans, vegetables or all of the above. Here is a recipe for chicken enchiladas. This is one of my favorite dishes that my mother makes.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breast
Salt and pepper
2 teaspoons cumin powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon Mexican Spice Blend
1 red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
5 canned whole green chiles, seeded and coarsely chopped
4 canned chipotle chiles, seeded and minced
1 (28-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour
16 corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups enchilada sauce, canned
1 cup shredded Cheddar and Jack cheeses
Garnish: chopped cilantro leaves, chopped scallions, sour cream, chopped tomatoes
Coat large saute pan with oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Brown chicken over medium heat, allow 7 minutes each side or until no longer pink. Sprinkle chicken with cumin, garlic powder and Mexican spices before turning. Remove chicken to a platter, allow to cool.
Saute onion and garlic in chicken drippings until tender. Add corn and chiles. Stir well to combine. Add canned tomatoes, saute 1 minute.
Pull chicken breasts apart by hand into shredded strips. Add shredded chicken to saute pan, combine with vegetables. Dust the mixture with flour to help set.
Microwave tortillas on high for 30 seconds. This softens them and makes them more pliable. Coat the bottom of 2 (13 by 9-inch) pans with a ladle of enchilada sauce. Using a large shallow bowl, dip each tortilla in enchilada sauce to lightly coat. Spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture in each tortilla. Fold over filling, place 8 enchiladas in each pan with seam side down. Top with remaining enchilada sauce and cheese.
Bake for 15 minutes in a preheated 350 degree F oven until cheese melts. Garnish with cilantro, scallion, sour cream and chopped tomatoes before serving. Serve with Spanish rice and beans.
Recipe courtesy of Tyler Florence
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/chicken-enchiladas-recipe.html?oc=linkback
There is a connection when it comes to religion and food. Most of the people are Catholics so that means when it is time to fast during Lent, every Friday until Easter Sunday, they are not allowed to eat meat. They must eat an alternative food that can replace meat on Friday. We practice that in my family here in Arizona just like they do in Mexico so when it's Friday during Lent my family usually eats a lot of tuna. That's my go to meal during Lent season.
Some ingredients that are used regularly in Mexico such as corn and wheat are usually produced in Mexico.
Mexican food is usually considered to be very spicy. They use many different peppers in their dishes. Like i said earlier, it's very rare to not have any salsa available to you when eating a Mexican dish.
Some ingredients that are used regularly in Mexico such as corn and wheat are usually produced in Mexico.
Mexican food is usually considered to be very spicy. They use many different peppers in their dishes. Like i said earlier, it's very rare to not have any salsa available to you when eating a Mexican dish.
When it comes to chocolate, it is said that Mexico gave that sweet delight to the world.
Mexican Food. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2015, from http://www.facts-about-mexico.com/mexican-food.html
Mexican Food. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2015, from http://www.facts-about-mexico.com/mexican-food.html