Mexico
Mexico
- Capital
- Mexico City
- Population
- 128,932,753
- Region
- Americas
- Languages
- Spanish
Mexico is home to the world’s smallest volcano, Cuexcomate, which stands only 43 feet tall and features a spiral staircase for visitors to descend into its crater. In the state of Michoacán, the Parícutin volcano is also unique as the only volcano in history whose entire life cycle, from its sudden birth in a cornfield in 1943 to its extinction in 1952, was witnessed and documented by modern science. Additionally, the country hosts the Great Pyramid of Cholula, which holds the record for the largest pyramid base in the world, far exceeding the footprint of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Currency
The official currency is the Mexican peso, identified by the ISO code MXN. Interestingly, the peso was the first currency in the world to use the '$' symbol, even before the United States dollar. In the late 18th century, the Spanish dollar or 'pieces of eight' served as a global standard, laying the groundwork for many modern currencies.
Flag symbolism
The green stripe on the hoist side represents hope and the independence movement from Spain. The central white stripe symbolizes purity and the unity of the Mexican people. The red stripe honors the blood of national heroes who fought for the country's sovereignty. In the center, the national coat of arms is prominently displayed, breaking the tricolor pattern to distinguish it from the similar Italian merchant flag.
Emblem history
The central emblem depicts an eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus devouring a rattlesnake, a deep-rooted symbol from Aztec mythology. According to legend, the Mexica people were told by the god Huitzilopochtli to build their city, Tenochtitlan, where they witnessed this specific divine omen. The cactus grows from a rock emerging from a lake, representing the original island setting of the capital. Encircling the bottom of the seal are branches of oak and laurel, signifying victory and the strength of the republic.