Curiosities of Mexico that you should know

Mexico has existed for several centuries, it is a country whose culture is growing in popularity, it is also very rich in gastronomy and history. However, there are some highlights of this country that perhaps very few people know about. Therefore, we want to talk, next, about some curiosities of Mexico that are worth knowing.

1. The Mexican Barrier Reef

Through the Caribbean coast, we can find the well-known Mesoamerican Reef System. This is a barrier full of coral reefs, which extends for about 1000 km and reaches countries such as Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and Mexico. It is the second largest barrier reef on the planet, being surpassed only by Australia’s.

Anyone who is in the Rivera Maya and who wants to discover the content of the seabed can take a diving excursion. By doing so, it is possible to enjoy a beautiful underwater diversity that makes up the area of ​​the Caribbean Sea; You can even swim with whale sharks, which are a species found in these waters between May and September.

2. The enigmatic culture of Mexico

One of the best known activities in the country is the veneration of Santa Muerte, which is a custom that comes from the pre-Hispanic era. His figure is that of the goddess Morte Mictecacihuatl. It highlights the fact that, due to the different historical stages through which it has passed, both the figure and the beliefs that revolve around it, were modified, at the same time as their meanings.

In view of the fact that the worship of this deity has spread to such a degree, many religions such as the Catholic, Anglican or Presbyterian, have completely rejected such activity. Tradition indicates that if Santa Muerte is not responded to when a miracle is performed, she can take what is most loved. Hence, many fear it or use it as an amulet.

3. The most historic park in Mexico City

In the capital, we can find the well-known Chapultepec urban park, which covers approximately 678 hectares. This park has some signs of the Mesoamerican pre-classic period, which would be a number of thousands of years prior.

Within its boundaries, there is the National Museum of Anthropology, a Mesoamerican castle and even the National Auditorium. In turn, in some of its surroundings, several of the battles between the United States and Mexico were fought. This park is also brimming with many legends, such as that of the door to the underworld or the well in which Moctezuma enjoyed healing baths.

4. Mexico City is known as the oldest city in all of America

It is said that Mexico City was founded in 1325. In this case, many consider it to be the oldest city that exists in all of America. However, it must be taken into account that there is another city in Peru, which is Caral, which came to coincide with the Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures.

5. It has the longest subway train in all of Latin America

The total number of train lines in Mexico City is 12, it has 195 stations, and approximately 226 kilometers in length. Such characteristics make it the longest metro network in Latin America. Second, we can find the Santiago subway train, in Chile; however, the largest in the world is that of Seoul, in South Korea.

6. The second most visited Catholic sanctuary in the world

All over the world, millions of people decide to visit the basilica located in Vatican City. This epicenter of Christianity has become the most popular and visited Catholic sanctuary. Now, the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico has managed to establish itself as the second most popular and most visited shrine on the planet. Every year, it can host more than 18 million visitors.

7. The legend of the Mexican flag

The flag of Mexico has three vertical stripes, which have come to have different kinds of interpretations. There are those who consider that green symbolizes hope, white represents unity and red, the blood that was shed by the heroes of the nation.

Therefore, what has become clear is the meaning of the eagle and the cactus of the Mexica empire. Basically, it tells of the way in which Tenochtitlán, which is the current city of Mexico, was founded. Legend has it that the inhabitants of Aztlán traveled a long way to find an eagle, which represents the reincarnation of the god Huitzilopochtli, eating a snake that was in a cactus.

8. One of the largest stadiums in the world

One of the sports stadiums that has managed to leave its mark through history and internationally, is located in Mexico. It is nothing less than the Azteca Stadium, which was built entre the years of 1962 and 1966. When visiting it, we can be in front of one of the largest stadiums, next to the Yuba Bharati Krirangan (India) and Reungrado Primero de Mayo (North Korea).

9. Home of titanic volcanoes

Within the state of Puebla, we can find the Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park, which is a sacred place according to the customs of the town. In this area, there are the impressive Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl volcanoes, which exceed 5000 meters in altitude. It is said that both are the representation of the Princess Iztaccíhuatl and the warrior Popocatépetl, and that the two will remain together until the end of time.

As we can see, there are many things we can learn about the main curiosities of Mexico. In addition to these, we can meet many others when visiting this country so rich in culture, gastronomy and many other aspects.