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Mythical Mexico
Mexico, land of the Aztecs, Maya, and Spanish conquistadors. This beautiful country is full of myths and legends, and the mysterious stone ruins that guard them. Visit the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan peninsula to see the Maya ruins of Chichen Itza, and then travel to the valleys of Oaxaca for the best food in the country. Colonial cities dot the countryside, and beautiful beaches run endlessly along both coasts. A cruise to Mexico is an unforgettable experience.
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Aztecs and Mayas
Mexico has been graced by some of the most advanced and fascinating early civilizations in the world. The Olmec began to rise as early as 1200 B.C. in the south-central region of what is now Mexico, near the Gulf of Mexico. The Olmec were known to venerate the jaguar; they left behind many artifacts with the combined characteristics of humans and cats.
Three sites have been found and collectively called San Lorenzo. It is here that the famous gigantic basalt heads were uncovered; each of these is 6-9 feet tall and weighs 20-40 tons. These heads were carved from stone that comes from 90 miles away the site, deepening the mystery of their existence. The huge heads appear to be wearing helmets, and have Negroid features.
The Olmec invented the Mesoamerican ballgame, which was played by several cultures throughout the region. Olmec actually means “rubber people” in Nhuatl, and hundreds of rubber balls have been found at Olmec-associated sites. The ballgame is played on a long narrow court, some longer than football fields. Some games went on for days, and the losing team was sacrificed; the game was also played for fun with less serious consequences.
The Olmec disappeared mysteriously around 200 B.C. and little is known about their decline. They were replaced by a culture that located its capital in Teotihuacan, “City of the Gods”, which had more than 100,000 inhabitants. These people had a developed writing system and architectural styles. Teotihuacan thrived until the 7th century, when it was plundered and burned. The perpetrators of the destruction remain a mystery.
The Zapotecs in the Oaxaca valley rose in the wake of Teotihucan, and their geographical isolation led to the distinct architectural style of Monte Alban. It was a large ceremonial center, as the Zapotecs had kings and priests for whom to build great temples.
The Yucatan peninsula was home to the storied Maya people. The Maya civilization extended through current-day Belize and Guatemala, with the cultural seat located at Tikal in Guatemala. The Maya of Mexico left behind the great ruins of Chichen Itza, which became the cultural seat after the collapse of Tikal. The Maya created the most accurate calendar in the world to date, and were known for their astrological skills. A Mexican adventure cruise will provide the opportunity to visit these mysterious ruins. Unlike the Aztecs, the Maya were not completely wiped out by conquistadors; they lived on and occupied their cities well after the arrival of the Spanish.
The mighty Aztecs rose in Mexico around the 13th century. They originated in the northern regions and migrated south to the mid and southern regions of the country. They called themselves the Mexica, which is where the country’s name comes from.
The Aztecs’ migration from the north ended when they came upon a prophetic sign: an eagle balanced upon a cactus, devouring a snake. It was there that they built their capital city of Tenochtitlan. The Aztec were known as fierce warriors and talented architects, a combination that resulted in the largest empire in Central America, surpassed only by the Incan empire Peru. Evidence of their advancements are found in their vast trading network, an apparently highly-stratified society with an imperial administration, and a sophisticated agricultural system.
The Aztecs considered themselves to be children of the sun god, Huitzilopochtli, who was also the patron god of war. They believed that he needed a diet of human blood to augment his strength, which is where the legends of Aztec blood sacrifices originate.
Quetzalcoatl, the Plumed Serpent, also played a fortuitous role in Aztec culture. Ruler of the Toltecs, he was considered to be the son of the sun god, a fair-skinned god himself. He was a progressive king who was well-respected and made many reforms, including abolishing human sacrifice. He was exiled by crafty enemies after several years of his reign, but the legendary ruler vowed to return someday no matter the amount of time that had passed.
The Aztec empire reached its height under the reign of Montezuma II, covering most of central and southern Mexico. When the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes landed on the shores of Mexico, the superstitious Montezuma believed it was the fair-skinned Quetzalcoatl coming back to his people. The Aztec emperor allowed the small Spanish company into the capital, which numbered over 300,000 in Aztec population. Cortes took the great emperor captive, and held him for 8 months.
In one of Cortes’ absences from the city, his second-in-command Pedro de Alvarado ordered the slaughter of over 3,000 Aztecs in the midst of a religious ceremony, which incited a dangerous rebellion by the famously vicious Aztecs. Upon his return, Cortes attempted to quell the situation by sending Montezuma to appease his people. The Aztecs responded by stoning their emperor to death, and mounting an attack upon the conquistadors.
Cortes retaliated with the more advanced weapons at his disposal, and as European diseases ravaged the Aztecs population, the great empire began to fall. By 1521, the Spanish had laid waste to Mexico.
Mexico: After the Conquistadors
The Spanish were quick to colonize their vast new territory. Haciendas were set up with Indian slaves to keep them in production. Mexican mines yielded unprecedented amounts of gold and silver, making Mexico the most prosperous of Spanish colonies in the New World.
The first yearnings of independence in Mexico began in 1807 when Napoleon invaded Spain. Mexico’s elite was divided into two; Liberals who wanted a democratic Mexico, and Conservatives, who wanted Mexico ruled by a monarch who would maintain the status quo. The commonality was clear: Mexico needed her independence. Thus, the Mexican War for Independence began in 1810. The upheaval and violence lasted until 1821, when Mexico finally achieved her independence.
Barely 25 years later, Mexico found itself embroiled in war with the United States when their northern neighbor annexed Texas. Dictator and general Santa Ana led the two-year conflict, which ended in Mexico’s defeat. Mexico sold the area encompassing the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico for $15 million to the U.S.
Mexico’s government underwent a series of upheavals and revolts, and the country fell into civil war from 1857-1861. The two camps created their own governments, with the Conservatives ruling from Mexico City and the Liberals from Veracruz. The Liberals were ultimately victorious, and the famous president Benito Juarez began his administration from Mexico City.
Ever turbulent, Mexico found itself again in turmoil when the French invaded in 1862. French forces were defeated at the Battle of Puebla, which is now celebrated as the Mexican independence day of Cinco de Mayo. However, the French eventually conquered Mexico and set Emperor Maximilian I on the throne. Benito Juarez kept his administration functioning during these years of occupation, and in 1867, his forces captured and executed Maximilian. Juarez remained in power until he died in 1872.
From 1876-1911, Porfirio Diaz held the post of president of Mexico, during which time the country experienced a rare period of peace and prosperity. The working classes were discontent, however, and when Diaz used blatant fraud to defeat his opponent in the 1910 election, riots broke out that signaled the beginning of the Mexican Revolution.
Revolutionary forces led by such legends as Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapato defeated the Federal Army and forced Diaz’s resignation in 1911. Unfortunately, revolutionary leaders differed significantly enough in their political beliefs that a cohesive organization of the new government proved impossible. A twenty-year struggle for control ensued, in which it is estimated that 900,000 people died.
Mexico finally came to rest when the National Mexican Party was formed in 1929; it convinced the revolutionary generals to dissolve their armies into the collective Mexican Army. It later became the PRI (Partido Revolutionario Institucional), the “stool with three legs”: workers, peasants, and bureaucrats. The PRI retained control of Mexico until 2000.
Colorful Culture of Mexico
Mexico has an incredibly rich culture, with colorful subcultures unique to each region. The Yucatan peninsula, along with the states of Quintana Roo and Chiapas, retains its pre-Colombian influence; a Mexican cruise to this region will reveal a distinctly Maya culture with its foundation on corn ad the Maya cosmovision. There are several areas that still speak their native Mayan language; it is estimated that there are approximately 1 million Maya speakers.
Visitors to Oaxaca will find a beautiful culture that is much more Aztec; Oaxaca has the largest indigenous population in the country, and over 1.5 million people speak the Aztec language Nhuatl. Oaxaca is distinctive for its crafts. Alebrijes are intricate and delicate wooden carvings of animals that are painted fantastically, from frogs to jaguars to mythical creatures. Barro negro, or the crafting of black clay, is an ancient tradition here. Oaxaquenans are also famous for their weavings, which use natural dyes and depict Aztec images. The people of Oaxaca are known for their friendliness and hospitality.
The city of Guanajuato, north of Mexico City, is a World Heritage Site. It is a maze of cobblestone streets and colonial buildings set into a hillside. It is a beautiful example of the colonial cities that dot the Mexican countryside.
Mexican culture is heavily influenced by the vaquero (cowboy) tradition. Cattle ranching was a huge industry in colonial times, and the vaquero image is a treasured piece of Mexican culture. The typical Mexican ranchera music originates from the vaquero.
Mexico has no official religion, but most of her inhabitants are Catholic, and Catholicism plays a huge role in Mexican culture. Parades and celebrations are frequent, and cathedrals and churches are scattered liberally across the country.
A cruise to Mexico may also present the opportunity to watch a performance of the salsa or merengue, or to dance yourself. It may also present the opportunity to attend a football game, which is the most popular sport in the country.
From Mountain Ranges to Endless Beaches
Mexico is the largest country in Central America. It is bordered on the north by the United States, and on its southern border by Belize and Guatemala. Mexico watches the sun rise on its coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, and sees it set over its beaches on the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of 31 states, each with its own unique culture and history. A Mexican cruise has the potential to be endless.
The north of Mexico is covered in desert, with the Sonoran desert extending down from California into Baja and the formidable Chihuahuan desert along the northern border. The Chihuahuan desert is walled on one side by the Sierra Madre Occidental, which extends more than half of the length of Mexico’s Pacific side. There is a low coastal plain between the range and the shores of the Gulf of California. The mighty Sierra Madre Oriental runs along the country’s opposite flank, and both of these ranges run into the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt that bisects Mexico’s southern midsection.
The Mexican Altiplano (“high plain”) lies between the majestic mountain ranges all the way to the southern state of Zacatecas. Visitors to Mexico will not want to miss the famous cities of Guadalajara and Mexico City that lies in the valleys of the southern altiplano.
The Sierra Madre de Oaxaca borders the valleys of Oaxaca, and runs into the Sierra Madre del Sur, which dominates the landscape of the south until comes to a stop at the almost-flat isthmus of Tehuantepec. The isthmus connects the highlands of Chiapas and the low Yucatan peninsula to Mexico.
In addition to numerous breathtaking mountain ranges, a cruise to Mexico will reveal its nearly 150 rivers that empty onto both coasts. Visitors may want to focus on the romantic Mexican Riviera on the west coast, which includes such famous cities as Ensenada, Acapulco, and Mazatlan.
Baja California is the narrow peninsula that extends from the U.S. state of California and parallels the west coast of Mexico. It is mostly desert and beaches, a warm paradise for travelers seeking to escape the cold from up north.
Mexico's Environmental Quandary
Environment
Mexico’s diverse environment is facing down challenges on all sides. The coasts along the Gulf of Mexico occasionally fight the pollution of unregulated oil exploration. Tropical rainforests in this region as well as the south have been denuded for cattle ranching and agriculture, practices that have contributed to significant soil erosion in the northern regions of Mexico as well. In response to these threats, Mexico has implemented a Biodiversity Action Plan to protect endangered species and habitats within its borders.
The most staggering environmental challenge facing Mexico comes in the form of Mexico City, de Jefe to the locals. Mexico City is one of the most populated cities on the planet, and experiences some of the worst pollution. It sits in a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, which traps pollutants from the 15 million inhabitants and 3 million vehicles. Wastewater from undeveloped shantytowns and other untreated wastes are a threat to the water supply. The Mexican government has enacted several regulations to address the situation, with varying degrees of success. Most visitors to Mexico use the city only as an arrival point before traveling to other destinations
Mexican Wildlife
Mexico’s location between so many oceans means that it is a hotspot for marine life. A cruise to Mexico may feature dolphins playing the ship’s wake, or a glimpse of migrating whales off the bow. Sea otters can be found on the Pacific side. Fur seals, sharks, and an array of fish species complete the marine community off the coasts of Mexico.
On land, mammals include the exotic coati, mythical jaguars, monkeys, wolves and bears in mountainous regions, and prairie dogs and bobcats in the lowlands.
A Mexican vacation may also reveal exotic birds such as flamingos and toucans, along with herons, kingbirds, and giant kites.
Tamales and Quesadillas
Mexico is famous for its cuisine, which of course varies by region. It is made up pf the per-Colombian staples of corn, beans, squash, chili powder, tropical fruits, and avocado. Visitors to the Yucatan will find corn tortillas and beans as staples, as well as chicken-based dishes that characterize the Maya diet.
A vacation in Oaxaca provides quite possibly the best food in the country. Quesillo is a type of salty cheese that is now exported all over the world. Oaxaca is also famous for chapulines, which are barbequed grasshoppers.
A cruise to Mexico will feature such mouth-watering favorites as tamales and quesadillas, mole sauces, soups, carne asada and chorizo. Mexico is also famous for its chocolate, which has a cinnamon twist and is excellent hot.
All of this will most likely be accompanied by good Mexican tequila or mezcal, which is produced in abundance from the agave plants that grow so well in the region.
Weather in Mexico
Mexico covers a vast area, and so it’s weather is as variable as its landscape. The Tropic of Cancer bisects the country at the latitude of Mazatlan, which effectively divides its climate. Inland areas north of the Tropic experience hot summers and cold winters that often leave the mountain ranges capped in snow. Travelers heading to the north of Mexico on the altiplano should expect drier weather.
The northern beaches of Mexico experience mild temperatures in the winter, although winter storms can bring very cold nights. Summer days are hot and always sunny.
The Mexican Riviera from Mazatlan to Manzanillo has famously beautiful beach weather, for travelers seeking a winter beach vacation. Highs are in the 80s even in winter months, and lows rarely dip below mid-60s. Summer is actually the rainy season along this part of the Pacific coast. The best hot beach weather is found along the southern coast, which is also where the best surf beaches are found.
The east coast is wetter than its western counterpart; in typical Caribbean fashion, the humidity is constant and the temperatures are hot. A cruise to Mexico may visit some of the most famous beaches, like Cancun and Playa del Carmen, in this steamy environment. The rest of the Yucatan peninsula also has a hot and humid summer, and a fairly warm winter as well.
Travelers will want to tailor their visits to the beautiful colonial cities of interior Mexico to miss the freezing winters; Oaxaca is a better choice in the winter, as it experiences mild temperatures year-around.
Mexico's Current Politics
After 70 years of political hegemony, the PRI began to decline due to numerous commitments of blatant fraud. They lost their first state governorship in the 1980s, and slowly lost the majority in Congress. In 2000, Vicente Fox of the center-right PAN (National Action Party) was elected as 69th President of Mexico.
The political system of Mexico is based on the 1917 Constitution, drafted during the Revolution. It is representative, democratic, and republican, with three levels: federal, state, and municipal government.
The three major parties in Mexico are the aforementioned PRI and PAN, accompanied by the center-left PRD, Party of Democratic Revolution. In 2006, Felipe Calderon of PAN very narrowly defeated Manuel Lopez Obrador of the PRD. Obrador briefly set up his own government after his supporters named him the Legitimate President, establishing the Cabinet of Denunciation to counter moves made by the Calderon government. Calderon is internationally recognized as the President of Mexico.