Wonders of Mexico

About Mexico

Mexico is a country in North America, lying between the United States of America to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast. The Republic of Mexico is vast, comprising nearly two million square miles of coastline, desert, rain forest, mountains, and fertile plains. Its extensive coastlines include the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.There are two major peninsulas in Mexico that are almost countries themselves. In the west is the poetically barren Baja Peninsula, which seals in the biological riches of the Sea of Cortes. The two main mountain ranges, the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental, hug the west and east, finally merging into the volcanically active central highlands and the capital, Mexico City the most populous city in the world.Mexico is highly dependent on exports to the U.S., which represent more than a quarter of the country's GDP (gross domestic product). The result is that the Mexican economy is strongly linked to the U.S. business cycle.The population of the area around Mexico City is nearly 20 million, which would make it the largest concentration of population in the Western Hemisphere. About 76% of the people live in urban areas. Cities bordering on the United States, such as Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez and cities in the interior such as Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Puebla have undergone sharp rises in population in recent years.Mexico has been graced with an unusually temperate climate year round. Varies from desert like regions on the northwest part of the country and temperate in the northeaster part, but note that much of the northern Mexican territory gets rather cold during the winter with average day time highs from 8 to 12C, overnight lows average around -5C and snow is sometimes frequent in certain northern places like the Sierra Madre of Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and northern Tamaulipas but can also occur at higher altitudes in the temperate forests in the central part of Mexico.Mexican summer is also the rainy season, although the rain rarely lasts more than a few hours, and typically arrives in the late afternoon. Extremes are present only in the North and in Baja, both of which have deserts where the temperature leaps above 100F. Also, northern Mexico gets very hot during the summer with sudden violent storms in the afternoon, with heavy rain and hail, also an isolated tornado can occur with these storms but rarely, and the temperatures during the day can quickly exceed 39C.In the Caribbean Sea meets the Yucatan Peninsula, coral reefs come alive, with sea creatures, great and small. The Pacific coast attracts elephant seals and spectacular grey whales, which choose Mexico to breed and give birth, year after year. In the Plaza de las Tres Culturas celebrate the three major cultures that have shaped Mexico: there are Aztec ruins, the 17th-century colonial church of San Diego and several late 20th-century buildings. Even the dead are alive here, at least once a year; on the Day of the Dead, the living bring gifts to their dearly departed and spend the night in their company, remembering and celebrating how things used to be.Nor is the desert a barrier to life, it is home to agaves, the mother of all tequilas. The blue plant has a lot to answer for in Acapulco and Cancun, where everybody come ashore after a day in the surf to flirt in bars and nightclubs.Mexico is the most populous Spanish speaking country in the world and the second most populous country in Latin America after Portuguese speaking Brazil. They say that Mexico is a country no one ever leaves. Mexico is ranked 7th major destination for foreigner visitors, according to WTO. Every year, millions of tourists pass through, and Mexicans jovially warn that a part of them will remain behind forever.The generosity of the Mexican people is unsurpassed. The people are vivacious lovers of free time and socialising, and work will never have the importance that friends and family do. Knowing a few simple sentences in Spanish will win hearts. Its unique and traditional Mexican food can often be very spicy, it recommend if you are not used to peppers, always ask if your food includes it.Most visitors are vacationing North Americans who wind up on the brilliant beaches of Cancun, Acapulco, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. The beaches, of course, are among the world's best. And the generosity of the Mexican people is unsurpassed. Knowing a few simple sentences in Spanish will win hearts.

Tajín

El Tajín which means City of thunder, hurricane or lighting in Totanac language is located in what nowadays is the municipality of Poza Rica in Veracruz, Mexico. Despite of not being completely excavated, this amazing archaeological site has almost 150 buildings, and just 20 of them have being restored.Consider also, one of many enigmatic places, El Tajín is still under scientific studies which keep revealing more unusual explanations for unusual buildings; discovering more and more mysteries of the Totanacs culture whose god was called Tajín.This mysterious city had many uses, including a commercial interchange city, as same as both a political and spiritual center. According to the just excavated part, it has an extension of 1 kilometre square, and there is located many temple-pyramids, palaces and courts.One of the most famous buildings in this site is the Pyramid of the Niches which 60 feet high and 6 terraces which are well forming 365 niches painted blue on the frames and red in the insides, so this suggest, like many other sites in Mexico, to the Scientifics that these structures resemble calendars and time, or some kind of measurement device. Besides, the Minor Plaza or Plaza Menor in Spanish, there are around of 17 Ball Courts building where has been found human sacrifices and it is believed that in some how they are related to the ball games that Totonacs people used to play here, depicting ritualistic games.For these reasons and many more, this place has become exciting due to the new mysteries revealed in here, discovering unique and unusual buildings.

Xel Há Park

The natural site of Xel Há, or Xelhá written in Spanish, is a Maya term which means spring (xel) and water (ha’) referring to the place where the water rises. It is located on the Caribbean coast, in the Mexican State of Quintana Roo, within the Riviera Maya, about 122 kilometres to the south of Cancún, 240 kilometres to the north of Chetumal, and about 13 kilometres to the north of the Archaeological Site of Tulum, passing through the Cancún-Tulum road.The turquoise lagoon of smooth running currents and exuberant jungle is the wonderful place close to the sea. This aquatic paradise unique in the world houses more than 300 different species of Flora and Fauna, which are able to see either by walking, little trains, or bicycles.The cove is a natural aquarium where inhabit hundreds of marine species, several tropical fishes, and plentiful flora. Among their typical fauna founded in Xel Há, it is very recognizable 100 species of birds and 350 species of plants.There is a place, located in the north of the park, where is able to swim with dolphins. As same as, The Turtles Reserve, that from April to November annually comes to nest around 20,000 baby turtles which are set free; it is also under Research in order to learn more about marine life finding out the ways to contribute with the ecological maintenance of this gorgeous area. Here is also able to see those 3 manatees that found refuge in this natural sanctuary.Across the entrance of the lagoon there is a shark barrier allowing the public to swim and snorkel in the lagoon. The limestone underwater has been eroded into multitudinous small caves and innumerous grottos. Some of the principal activities offered by the park are snorkelling, scuba diving, dolphins swimming, etc. but, there are also overland activities to enjoy with the family, like the excursion of the Sendero de la Conciencia which talks about how to take care the environment; to cross over the Laminate Bridge with 80m of height to enjoy of a marvellous view of the nature; the Reforestation Area into the jungle called Chacahs’ Garden where many celebrities have collaborated planting a tree; and many more.

Copper Canyon

The Copper Canyon, in Spanish Barranca del Cobre, is located all over the Sierra Madre Occidental Range in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico; nowadays, they are in what is north-western Mexico. It is one of the youngest geological formations, and casually, they are also the largest in the North American continent, alike the Grand Canyon of United States.The landscape is a formation of many rivers, which born in the highest pine forests at 10,000 miles with gorgeous step-walled deep narrow valley s into the volcanic rocks of Sierra Madre Mountain Range, over 5,000 feet with giant cactus and tropical trees.Due to the many watered thunder storms, the canyon country is always the perfect combination of colours, among greens, reds and yellows; mixed with the dense oaks in spring, and during autumn filled with wildflowers.The trips to the canyon are on board of the historic Chihuahua al Pacífico Railroad; also know as Chepe, which was originally designed to connect the Pacific Ocean with the central Mexican desert territory and Chihuahua. Built in almost 90 years, it always has had an international vision and until now it is an engineering masterpiece. Nowadays, the train starts its way from the Pacific Ocean up into the splendorous Copper Canyon, crossing 39 bridges and 86 tunnels.Besides, the Chepe makes possible the entry for tourists to the Copper Canyon passing through the area long inhabited by the Tarahumara Indians, who are small and shy natives, famous for their running ability. There is also some 50,000 Raramuri who lives in caves and other primitive dwellings.

Uxmal

The Archaeological site of Uxmal, Óoxmáal in Yucatec Maya, is located 78 kilometres south of Mérida, Yucatán; and 15 kilometres southeast of the town of Muna; at 78 feet above sea level; and travelling by car it is about 1.5 hours from Mérida.Despite of the continuous studying of the archaeological site to consolidate and restore the buildings, this popular tourist destination has not specific dates of occupation and population. However, the estimates of its foundation are about 700A.D. getting to have 25,000 inhabitants; and its period of construction is between 700 and 1100A.D. where in most of the building are unveiled symbolic motifs and sculptures of its god Chaac, the god of the rain.When the process of restoration finished, Uxmal was in better condition than many other Maya sites. This fact was possible thanks to its well and unusual construction by the Xiu, using well cut stones and setting them into a core of concrete.Uxmul is characterized by the Maya architecture, where is seen the elegance and beauty of the buildings very similar to and compare with Palenque. In both archaeological sites predominates the Pucc style of Maya. Thanks to this good state of preservation it is possible for the tourists to have a better idea of how the entire center was in ancient times.Some remarkable buildings include The Governor's Palace atop a huge platform with longest facades; the fine and unusual Pyramid of the Magician, which layers are oval and placed over older ones, a very typical way of construction; The Nunnery Quadrangle, called by the Spaniards built with several fine quadrangles and carved facades both on the inside and outside faces; The Ballcourt, the traditional building for playing ballgame made in 901A.D. by the ruler Chan Chak K'ak'nal Ajaw.There are also many more buildings, varying in size and preservation, which add a mysterious significance to Uxmal; such as quadrangles, monuments, and temple-pyramids called like House of the Turtles, South Temple, House of the Birds, North Long Building, House of the Doves, and Grand Pyramid.Uxmal writing, like many Maya cultures, was the hieroglyphic inscriptions. They were also found in group on a stone stele; picturing older rulers of Uxmal and showing signs of have been broken and repaired; possibly caused by some war or battle.

Monte Albán

Monte Albán is one of the biggest pre-Columbian archaeological sites in the south of the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. Its location is over some low mountains that are rising above the Valley of Oaxaca, between Tlacolula, Etla, and Zimatlán/Ocotlán valleys. Currently, it is locate about 9 kilometres west of now is Oaxaca City.The ceremonial center of Monte Albán is situated on the top of a lonely mountain, in the middle of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. Apparently, the strategic location, where the political, religious and army elite resided, might allow a better defence of the city in case there would be army attacks; but the population was located on the mountainsides.As same as many other Mesoamerican metropolis, this Archaeological site was one of those cities with a multiethnic population. During its development, the city kept strong relationships with some other important cultures in Mesoamerica, specially the Teotihuacán Culture. Despite the city was abandoned for the elite and part of its population, Monte Albán was reutilized by the Mixtec during the post-classic period.The archaeological site is not mentioned in the Spaniards chronicles, so it is very probable that its existence was known until the Colonial Period, beginning the 19th century. It was in the middle of the 20th century that the Mexican Alfonso Caso discovered the Tumba 7, where was the biggest Mesoamerican deposit of gold work ever found until now.The Valley of Oaxaca is characterized by a warm climate with moderated rains; however, it is the Atoyac River which guarantees the water source for the agriculture, which in Monte Albán times was the principal economic activity. However, the mountain morphology of Monte Albán was adapted in order to satisfy the city constructions and its population; for example, the Main Plaza turned to be a flatten platform over were constructed the buildings of the city; as same as the mountainsides, where the inhabitants constructed their homes with little water reservoirs, necessary for the agriculture during the drought days.Nowadays, the Archaeological site Monte Albán is open to the public every single day from 8:00am to 5:00pm. In the site it is possible to visit almost all the restored buildings.

Mexico Downtown

The Historical Center of Mexico, known also as El Centro or Downtown Mexico, currently includes about 1,436 historically important buildings constructed between the 16th and 20th centuries and they are extended over 9 square kilometres and 668 blocks. It is divided in two zones, in order to preserve them, which are the Zone A that comprehends the pre-Hispanic, Viceroy and Independence periods and the Zone B that comprehends the 19th century period.Predominantly, its historical relevance over many periods, El Centro owns many public plazas, buildings, palaces, temples, museums and markets; all of them points of reference survivors of the time and catalogued with artistic and historical values. El Centro and its old part of the town also receive the name of La Casa de los Palacios, The House of the Palaces.Besides, whole this area is focused on the Main Plaza, known as Zócalo, which is the largest plaza in Latin America and the second largest in the world, and being able to hold up around 100,000 people.

Palenque

Palenque is located in the Mexican State of Chiapas, really near to the Usumacinta River. Although Palenque is smaller than many other Maya sites, its fine architecture, roof comb, sculpture and bas-relief attracts more tourists. Consider as one of the most captivating places of Mexico, the ancient city is full of mysterious; in addition its stone temples looking out over the jungle surrounded by mountains give Palenque that unforgettable experience for travellers.Some of the most important structures of Palenque are The Palace, which has a wild artificial terrace and is able to connect many adjacent buildings; The Temple of the Inscriptions, in which is recorded approximately 180 years of the city’s history; The Temple of the Cross group, Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Foliated Cross, which are graceful temples that illustrate two figures that are a representation of ritual objects and simulate to a central icon; and many more.The way of transportation to Palenque would be sometimes difficult, but once the travellers are there, the enthusiasm of the viewing is well worth. Also, there is the opportunity to rent a car for the most adventurous, driving from San Cristobal to Palenque for five hours, however, do not neglect be aware for potholes and obstructions, as same as, do not forget to keep your passport and travel documents with you for the military roadblocks.

Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan is the most visited archeological complex of Mexico. It is located around 30 miles (48 Km) northeast Mexico City in the municipality of San Juan de Teotihuacan. Within this archeological complex are some of the largest pyramidal structures of America. The original name of the city was lost in the time as well as the name of the civilization that constructed the city. The current name “Teotihuacan” was given by the Aztecs and it has several interpretations, being the most accepted "place of the gods" or "place where one becomes a god".The city is composed by many structures; burn there are five main elements: the Avenue of the Dead, the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Ciudadela and the Feathered Serpent Pyramid.The Avenue of the Dead is the main avenue of the city; it leads from the Moon Square to the Ciudadela, from north to south for more than 2.5 Km, dividing the city into two zones. The avenue is flanked by wonderful ceremonial buildings such as the Pyramid of Sun and Pyramid of Moon.The Ciudadela (Citadel, named thus by Spanish who believed that it was a fort) is a great square (about 160 000 square meters) surrounded by several temples. It believes, that the Ciudadela was the religious and political center of Teotihuacan. The Ciudadela contains the Feathered Serpent Pyramid, a stepped pyramid which is one of the most impressive structures of the complex. It is dedicated to the Feathered Serpent or Quetzalcoatl one of the most important gods of the Mesoamerican culture.The largest and most impressive structure of the Teotihuacan complex is definitely the great Pyramid of the Sun. This great structure has a base of 215 by 215 meters and it is 63 meters height. It is at the east of the Avenue of Dead in the northern part of Teotihuacan. It was originally composed by four stepped platforms a terraced platform and a superimposed temple; unfortunately the upper-most portion of the structure was totally destroyed. The excavation and reconstruction of this monument began at the beginning of the XX century by Leopoldo BatresThe Pyramid of the Moon is a beautiful building smaller than the Pyramid of the sun, located at the northern extreme of the Avenue of the dead. This Pyramid dates from 200 AD. This pyramid has a platform at top, which was used to do ceremonies in honor to Chalchiutlicue, goddess of the water and the moon.

Cacahuamilpa Caves

The Cacahuamilpa Caves National Park or Grutas de Cacahuamilpa as is named in Spanish; comes from the etymologic Cacahuamilpa word of the Náhuatl language, which means peanuts sowing. It is situated inside of the physiographic province of Sierra Madre South, in the north zone of Guerrero State, Mexico.Also, it can be situated 52 kilometres from Taxco city, and 220 kilometres from Acapulco port; very close to the states of Igual and Morelos at 66 kilometres and 81 kilometres, respectively. By car, there are also two ways to get there, the Cuernavaca-Grutas and the Toluca-Taxco roads.Cacahuamilpa caves are considered one of the most amazing caves in the World, cover 1,600 hectares and 1,380 metres long holding inside endless strange figures such as faces, facial expressions, animals, places, etc. which are cause of admiration and wonder among the visitants, particularly of those scientists who are dedicated to the Speleology. The caves are distributed in 80 both artificially and naturally full illuminated rooms, at least; also, their heights ranged between 30 metres to 70 metres.The formations of these natural caves belong to the ancient traces of the sea made by the sediments that the water dragged. This is the principal reason why these rocks are so soluble allowing the pass of water, and through its route creates fissures at the beginning, to form later subterranean rivers in which bed deviation form the caves.At this location there is a warm semi-dry climate; however, during the rains the forest becomes lush, while during the dry season the landscape turns a wood with no leafs. The low latitude-rainforest vegetation include many trees such as Bursera bipinnata, Bursera copallifera and Bursera jorullensis; as same as Crescentia Cujete and Crescentia Alata, used in the cooking utensils production.Furthermore, among some of the distinguished animals, there are the cacomistles, badgers, racoons, rattlesnakes, iguanas and green iguanas, new world vultures, pumas, small tigers, rabbits, armadillos, otters, golden eagles, lynxes, etc. The National Park has also Limestone Mountains passed by subterranean rivers of San Jerónimo and Chontalcoatlán, both converging in the Amacuzac River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean.This spectacular natural formation are open to the public with daily visits starting at 10 am, the tour is 2 hours walking along 2 kilometres.

Chichen Itza

The famous Mayan pyramids of Chichen Itza (chee-chehn eet-sah) in Maya literally means: "Mouth of the well of the Itza", the name Chichen Itza is a Mayan word: CHI (mouth), CHEN (well) and ITZA (of the Itza tribe), it is located a 75 miles east of Merida, the Capital of the State of Yucatan, Mexico. This archaeological site is rated among the most important of the Maya culture and covers an area of approximately six square miles.The architectural characteristics of Chichen Itza and that have a direct relationship with the Mayan Toltec style are: "El juego de la Pelota", "El Castillo", "El Grupo de las Mil Columnas", "El tzompantli", El Edificio de las Aguilas", "El templo de los Guerrerros", and "El Mercado". All of these buildings have the same decoration motives found in Tula. The most frequent representations are warriors and Quetzalcoatl.The main attraction is the central pyramid, a square-based, stepped pyramid that is approximately 75 feet tall, El Castillo de la Serpiente Emplumada, which means "Castle of the Plumed Serpent," and is pictured at the top. The plumed serpent is a popular deity in various Mesoamerican cultures. "El Castillo" is surely the place where the ceremony of the descent of Kukulkan was held. The pyramid has special astronomical layout so that a game of light and shadow is formed. On March 21st the body of the serpent metaphorically descends from the temple on top of the pyramid and arrives at the heads at the foot of the staircase.Just beyond El Castillo you will find a large ball court where Mayan men played a game called pok ta pok. Anthropologists believe that the object of the game was to hurl a ball through a ring that was mounted on a wall, seven meters above the ground. The largest Ball Game in Mesoamerica is 168 meters in length and 70 meters in width.The Temple of Chac Mool, upon whose walls and interior pillars there are richly colored carvings of plumed serpents, warriors, and priests. The upper building only partially reflects its true grandeur. There are three sculpted masks with extremely long noses on the outer walls and at the corners. On the inner walls of the vaults there were murals with scenes of war and daily life. The altar tables and benches may have served as seats and thrones for dignitaries.In the "Templo de los Guerreros" there is a temple on the top part where the entrance columns are typically Toltec. Another one of the buildings that have a Toltec seal without is the "Muro de los Craneos". These buildings were destined to be the mausoleums of the tying up the years. Every 52 years the ancient Mayans and other cultures would tie up a sheaf of years to end a cycle. Temple of the Carved Panels, the name of this building comes from the relieves carved on the north and south walls of the colonnade, depicting scenes of numerous people, plants, and animals, both real and imaginary, which are dominated by two warriors. The building is made up of a temple erected on a slab foundation with a colonnade in front of it. The offerings discovered during exploration of the fire - related rituals.All areas can be seen comfortably in one day. Also you should enjoy the wonderful Light and Sound Show that is held every evening. At the entrance to Chichen Itza, there is an informative museum, a dining room, clean restrooms, a few gift shops and vendor stands.

Calakmul

The Archaeological site of Calakmul is located very deeply in the jungles of Petén Basin, over 1,800,000 acre of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in the State of Campeche, Mexico; into the limits of the municipalities of Champotón and Hopelchén; and 30 kilometres from the Guatemalan border.This preponderant Maya site was the major urban center of the Classic Period, with more than 500 archaeological pieces, so that, it is consider the biggest valuable texts deposit of dynastic Maya because of there are many steles surrounding the Main Plaza.Over 6,750 ancient Calakmul structures, the largest one is the Great Pyramid of 55 metres high and 4 tombs inside, being the tallest Pyramid of the whole Maya Pyramids, and as many other similar constructions, to reach its current size, 2 square kilometres, it was increased by building upon other existing temples; and the whole site covered with residential structures is about 20 square kilometres.Being also the biggest Maya City of Mexico, next to Palenque in Mexico and Tikal in Guatemala, Calakmul was part of this powerful triangle. It is also one of the richest places in structures including 117 steles, the largest number in Mexico, which represent its rules and their wives. However, due to they are sculpted in soft limestone, most of them have eroded making harder, and in some cases, impossible to interpret them.There were also discovered many detailed murals in Calakmul, which in the opposite of other cultures, these murals do not represent the elite activities, in the other hand, the scenes detailed are from the people during the food preparation and eating like maize drink, tamales, etc. The murals also have glyphs describing daily events, and the most prominent is a lady, nowadays known as Señora Piedra 9. Among other important materials, there are many pieces of ceramic, which allows to the anthropologists to identify and know better the thoughts of the people who lived in the archaeological site.Calakmul represent the ecological line of Yucatan Peninsula, located in the middle of tropical forests with a warm and sub-humid climate and rains during the summer, while during the winter the temperature descend sometimes until 32ºF. This combination has allowed the creation of rich fauna, including jaguars, turkey vultures, xoco-pheasant, toucan, three types of eagles, tapirs, peraries, anteaters, armadillos, parrots, 400 species of butterflies, 147 types of vertebrates, and rich flora with the famous orchids, and about 1600 varieties of plants.This amazing Archaeological Site is open to the public during the whole week, from 8am to 5pm.

Parícutin Volcano

Parícutin is a cinder cone volcano in the Mexican state of Michoacán, close to a lava-covered village of the same name. It is part of the Michoacán-Guanajuato Volcanic Field which covers much of west central Mexico.Dioniso Pulido, a Tarascan farmer, along with his wife and their son witnessed the initial eruption of ash and stones first-hand as they plowed the field, that began as a fissure in his cornfield. Much of the volcano's growth occurred during its first year, while it was still in the explosive pyroclastic phase. Nearby villages Paricutín (after which the volcano was named) and San Juan Parangaricutiro were both buried in lava and ash; the residents relocated to vacant land nearby.After one year, the volcano had grown 336 meters tall, for the next eight years it would continue erupting, but the activity would slowly decline. In 1952 the eruption ended and Parícutin went quiet, attaining a final height of 424 meters above the cornfield from which it was born. Like most cinder cones, it is a monogenetic volcano which means that it will never erupt again.Parícutin is the youngest of more than 1400 volcanic vents in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and North America. Three people died as a result of lighting strikes caused by the eruptions, but no deaths were attributed to the lava or asphyxiation.During the active phase of Parícutin volcano, shots were included in the film Captain from Castile by the 20th Century Fox’s, released in 1947.Actually two different elevation are attributed to Paricutín: 3170 meters by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program and SummitPost.org and 2774 meters by Peakbagger.com and Bartleby.com along with GPS measurements on Google Earth.The most recent volcano formed on the Western Hemisphere, from its birth of the eruption between 1943 and 1952, it has represented a dramatic period in the lives of Parícutin people, who losing crops, livestock and suffered substantial property damage during the natural disaster.

Tulum

Tulum, which is written as Tulu'um in Modern Maya and translated as wall or fortification, was the principal port and walled city for Cobá, the large ruined city of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Located in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, it is on 39 feet cliffs extended all over the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea and nowadays it is consider one of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites being really popular site for tourists.The architecture of Tulum is really typical to most of the Maya sites on the east coast, which is recognized by a step surrounding the base of the building and sitting on a low substructure. Inside the rooms, there are usually one or two small windows with an altar at the back wall. Generally, the doorways are narrow with columns used as support when the building is big enough, with two sets of molding near the top walls. According to this type of architecture, Tulum is compare with the Chichen Itza architecture but in smaller scale.Due to Tulum was a walled city, it needed to be protected, therefore on the landward side there is a big wall averaged about 4-5 metres long and on the other side by the steep sea cliffs, furthermore, this wall is big enough around 8 metres thick and 400 metres long. In order to improve their defense, there are small structures that are watch towers located on the southwest and northwest corners. Also, the wall enclosing the site was slightly shorter, about 170 metres on both sides; and around there are five gateways, with two on each the north and south side, and one on the west. And, according to the studies near the northern side there is a cenote, a type of sinkhole, which would have provided the city with fresh water. Hence, all this construction has taken a huge amount of energy and time which explains how important was the defense to Mayan people and converting this site in one of the most fortified sites. Likewise, there is a kind of landing beach that would be useful for trading canoes, making of this site a peculiar trading port and the reason why Maya founded Tulum here. Besides, here in Tulum, both coastal and land routes converge showing contacts between areas all over Central Mexico and Central America, and as a proof, there are copper artefacts, ceramics, incense burners, gold objects, as same as salt and textiles were found in Tulum that would be transported by sea to rivers through the Río Motagua to Guatemala, and the Río Usumacincta/Pasión to the Gulf of Mexico.Tulum, as an archaeological site relatively compact comparing with other sites of Maya, is one of the best-preserved Maya sites becoming the third most visited and a popular destination for tourists in Mexico with daily tour buses. It is a very popular archaeological site because is near to the most popular beach resort, Cancun, and its pictorial view of the Caribbean coastline.

Xochialco

The Archaeological Site of Xochicalco is located in the municipalities of Temixco and Miacatlán in the Mexican State of Morelos, 38 kilometres southwest of Cuernavaca and 76miles from Mexico City. Asides of its affinities with both the Maya area and the Toluca Valley, nowadays there are still some residents of the Cuentepec Village that speak Nahuátl.Apparently and according to the architecture of the site, it is speculated that the settlers of Xochicalco might be artists from other parts of Middle America. Specially, there are some interesting carved reliefs on the sides of the buildings, as the Temple of the Quetzalcoatl, which shows the Teotihuacán and Maya influences.The center of the ceremonial area is on a levelled hill; it is surrounded by residential and most unexcavated structures which cover the slopes of long terraces. There is also the Central Plaza as the most important civic and religious space of Xochicalco; the Malinche or Ballgame court surrounded by twenty round altars and one square altar used as the ritual calendar of 260 days; the Main Plaza used as a ceremonial and political space with a complete restriction of passing because it houses the most important structures of the site such as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, Temple of the Steles, and the Houses of the principal kings of the Xochicalco.There is also an Observatory, an astronomical site, a cave in where the habitants of Xochicalco were dedicated to study the Sun’s movement. Here, during 105 days, from April 30 to August 15, the sun falls into the place through the mouth of the chimney. But, from May 14 to July 29 during the movement of the sun through the Tropic of Cancer, it is at its zenith and astronomical noon creating its image on the floor of the cave; for these reasons, the scientific studies demonstrated that this place was also used for religious ceremonies. Besides, here is also attractive to see how the solar energy acts as X-Ray when a hand is located under the light, which effect allows seeing the flesh and bones of the fingers.The archaeological site of Xochicalco is open to the tourists all week from 10am to 5pm, but the access to the Observatory is only allowed after noon. There are two ways to go to Xochicalco; one is coming from Cuernavaca through the federal road number 95 until Alpuyeca small town, once there the visitors must follow the deviation road to Macatlan, 8 kilometres to the right; and the second way is following the Sol road Cuernavaca-Acapulco until the Apuyeca Hut, from here the visitors must follow the road described in the first way.

Tenochtitlán

Tenochtitlán, the ancient capital of the Aztec Empire, is also known as Temixtitán or Temistitlán. As a powerful city, it had to conquer the surrounding altepetls or Water Mountains with about 500,000 settle man during its peak until 1521, when the Spanish conquers, commanded by Hernán Cortés, got to subjugate it.The city was found as a part of Lacustrine System of the Mexican Basin, into an artificially made islet in the Texcoco Lake with hydraulic work and artificial lands called chinampas, gardens in rectangular plots divided by canals. Basically, Tenochtitlán was ruled by a tlatoani, who was a post held for life and its social structure was classified by social classes; the nobles were the most privileged including the army people, traders and priests; while the low class were the artisans, low-range army, common people, carriers and slaves.During its peak, Tenochtitlán covered about 13 square kilometres at the west of the shallow Lake Texcoco. By the time when the Spanish arrived, they comprised Tenochtitlán and Tlatelolco in what is now Mexico City; but initially, Tenochtitlán was connected by causeways leading north, south and west of the city, and interlaced by canals used either on foot or via canoe.The Dike of Nezahualcoyotl, the most important building, was constructed by the ruler Moctezuma I and designed by Nezahualcoyotl himself. This piece of engineering is estimated in between 12 and 16 kilometres of length, used to keep the spring fresh water in the waters around the city.Through two double aqueducts of about 4kilometres long each, the city of Chapultepec was provided with fresh water used mainly for cleaning and washing, because most of the populations liked to take a bath twice a day, using the root of copalxocotl as soap and the root of maguey as washing soap; furthermore, high-class and pregnant woman delighted to take a bath in temazcalli, or sauna bath, which is still used in some Mesoamerican cultures. Besides, for drinking, the city populations preferred the water from the mountain springs.Geographically, Tenochtitlán was divided in four zones, each divided on 20 districts or calpullis, and each was intersected by streets. The most important streets were three; which according to Bernal Díaz del Castillo, were wide enough for ten horses. Furthermore, the calpullis had a specialty in arts and crafts, being able to compete with some other calpullis; the calpullis were separated by transportation channels and wood bridges which, every night, were removed for security.Additionally, each district had an own tiyanquiztli or marketplace, and also a principal market in Tlatelolco, of which when Cortéz saw it, he described as a twice of size building of the city of Sevilla in Spain, with almost 60,000 people trading and buying daily.Tenochtitlán had about 15 public schools, buildings and temples; and the most important into a walled square, the Ceremonial Center. It included also the Main Temple, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Ball Game Court, the Rack of Skulls or Tzompantli, The Temple of the Sun, The Gladiatorial Sacrifice Platforms, and minor temples. In the outside, there were the Palace of Moctezuma with 100 rooms with its own bath, constructed for ambassadors and lords of either conquered people or allies. In conclusion, the city was distributed in a fabulous symmetry approved by the city planner.Despite of the destruction of the Spanish conquer Cortés all over the city, nowadays is able to see some of the ruins founded in the 1970’s during the construction of the Mexican metro-line. This construction was part of the Main Temple or Templo Mayor.On October 12, 1987 the construction of the Museum of the Main Temple was inaugurated and opened to the public, just three blocks from the Zócalo o Plaza de la Constitución. Here, the ruins are visible walking through the runways surrounding the archaeological complex; however, some parts are covered from the sun in order to protect the mural paintings over some walls.The way to visit the museum is taking the Line 2 in the Mexican Metro Line at the station, and it is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm for tourists; and Sundays is open with free entrance for Mexican people and residents.

Chapultepec Castle

The Chapultepec Castle, or Castillo de Chapultepec in Spanish, rises on the top of the Chapultepec Hill, where Chapultepec means the Grasshopper’s Hill in Náhuatl language. It is located in Mexico City, D.F. at a height of 2,325 metres above sea level and used for different purposes from Military Academy, Presidential House, Imperial Residence, and Observatory to currently, a Museum.This magnificent and historical construction includes structures built against the slope of the hill itself, as same as walkways, gardens, exterior staircases integrated into the topography; all of them spread over 10,000 square metres.The Castle access starts off at the foot of the hill, through a ramp that leads all the way up to the exterior gates. Most of its open areas, used in the past as military manoeuvres, are composed by many courtyards and gardens. Here, is also found the Citadel, where emerges the tower of the Tall Knight.Furthermore, the insides of the Chapultepec Castle are luxury decorated by noteworthy paintings on the walls, and more outstanding in the foyers and halls eulogizing the wide and open areas that are symbol of the 19th and early 20th century buildings.