Mexico+period+three

SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS: === · One celebration Mexicans celebrate is on the 5th of May known as “cinco de mayo.” On Cinco de Mayo they have fiestas and festivals, eat special foods, and listen to special music. Some of the foods they eat on this day are Menudo soup, plantain chips, elotes tatemadoes, sopes. Although foods vary between the families and the regions of Mexico, combining native Aztec foodstuffs, with a rich variety of items brought by Spanish conquistadors and settlers. Traditionally Mexican foods include guacamole, chilaquiles, enchiladas and mole poblano. The food will be colorfully presented with many vegetables and salsa. === Flags wave from practically every house and building. Lighted decorations are set up in every city, the most spectacular being those of the //Zócalo//, main plaza//,// in Mexico City. Literarily hundreds of stands are set up several days before and offer the traditional **//antojitos //** , most aptly described as a variety of finger foods, Mexican candies, and punch. Punch. **//ponche //** , is a drink made of fruits that are in season: **//guayabas //** , sugarcane, raisins and apples, and such a delicious <span style="color: black; font-family: 'cambria','serif';">aroma!
 * //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Mexico City //<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> is the Federal District, //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">capital of Mexico //<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union.
 * //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">As of 2010 the population of Mexico is 113,423,050 //
 * //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The best estimated area of Mexico is //<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">1,972,550 Square kilometers.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">The most important holiday celebrated in Mexico is “el grito de independencia” which is celebrated on September 16th. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'cambria','serif';">Streets, houses, buildings and cars are decorated everywhere in the country. On every street corner there are vendors selling flags, balloons, //sombreros// and //rehiletes -//shuttlecock, all with the green, white and red, our //National Colors//.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'cambria','serif';">HOW GEOGRAPHY, CULTURE, AND HISTORY AFFECTS FOOD:

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">TYPICAL FOODS:
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'cambria','serif';">In northern Mexico the region is mainly dessert, which does not support farming, however the cattle industry thrives, causing the beef industry to be very important. Dairy is also very important for the production of flavorful cheese. In the coastal regions of Mexico seafood and tropical fruits dominate the cuisine. Near the Sierras and Bahio mountain ranges agriculture is very important, consists primarily of corn, beans, and peppers. Many types of vegetables, fruits, and grains.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'cambria','serif';">Mexican food was derived from the Mayan Indians.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'cambria','serif';">Spanish foods had the most influence on Mexican cuisine, they introduces new live stock such as sheep, pigs, and cows.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'cambria','serif';">The early natives of Mexico did not have ovens so they heated food over open fire.
 * Spanish influenced Mexican food by adding milk, cheese, rice, wheat, cinnamon, oranges, and peaches.


 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Tortillas
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Beans
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Salsa
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Chilies
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Guacamole
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Tequila
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Enchiladas
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Quesadillas
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Mole Sauce
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Tacos

Flag of Mexico
 * [[image:nutritionandculinaryarts2/Mexico_map.jpg]]Mexico is located south of the unites states off the coast of california. **