With a Native American heritage and a distinct Spanish flavour,
Mexico is vibrant, colourful and unique. Its varied terrain ranges
from cactus-studded deserts to white sandy beaches and blue waters,
tropical rainforest and jungle-clad hills to steep rocky canyons
and narrow gorges, and from snow-capped volcano peaks to bustling
cities.Since the height of Mayan and Aztec civilisations, Mexico has
suffered the destructive force of the Conquistadors, European
colonial rule, civil and territorial wars, rebellions,
dictatorships, recessions and earthquakes. Yet its people remain
warm and friendly, much of the countryside remains unspoilt by
development, and its cities display a unique style of architecture.
The extraordinary history is reflected in the ancient Mayan temples
strewn across the jungles and ruins of Aztec civilisations, rural
indigenous villages, Spanish colonial cities and silver mining
towns, and traditional Mexican ports.Buildings display a unique combination of colonial and pagan
architecture, blending together Art Nouveau, Baroque, Art Deco and
Native American design into the structure of their churches and
public structures. The country's culture displays a similar blend
of the traditional and modern, where pagan meets Christian in a
series of festivals, or fiestas throughout the year.Besides a combination of unique culture and fascinating cities,
Mexico also boasts several hundred miles of coastline extending
down through both the Pacific and the Caribbean, which has branded
the country as a popular summer retreat destination.
Beach resort
cities such as Acapulco, Cancun and those of the Baja California
peninsula are accepted vacation havens. The countryside is also
rich in archaeological treasures with pyramids, ruins of ancient
cities and great stone carvings of ancient gods standing as
testament to a country once ruled by the Aztecs and Mayans.
