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May 1, 600
600 AD - Rise of the Toltecs begains
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Apr 1, 1500
1500 BC - First major Mesoamerican civilization - the Olmecs arrive in Mexico
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Feb 1, 1517
First European - Francis Hernandez arrives in Mexico
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Aug 13, 1521
Cortez defeats the Aztecs. This victory marks the fall of the mighty Aztecs
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Mexico declares is independence
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US declares war on Mexico
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Formal peace treaty between US and Mexico is declared
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Under pressure from the US, France withdraws its troops from Mexico
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Mexican Revolution begins
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The Liberal Mexican Constitution is created
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Cardenas nationalizes the country's oil industry
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Mexico City hosts the Olympic Games
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Huge oils reserves are discovered in the Bay of Campeche
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Earthhquake hits Mexico City and kills nearly 10,000 people
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Mexico signs the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
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Vicente Fox becomes president, ending more than 70 years of PRI rule
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Economy - GDP $1.4 trillion; Annual GDP Growth - 5.4%
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People - Population 113, 724, 226, annual population growth 1.102%, Language - Spanish
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Ethnic Groups - Indian - Spanish 60%, Indian 30%, Caucasian - 9%, other 1%
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Mexican cuisine is tasty, diverse and hard to resist and is meant to be savored
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Climate: Tropical to desert
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Natural hazards - Tsunamis on Pacific Coast; Volcanoes & Earthquakes in Center & South Mexico; Hurricans on Pacifica and Caribbean coasts
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Natural Resources - Petroluem; silver; copper; gold; lead; zinc; natural gas; timber
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Geography - 761,000 sq miles, coastal low lands, central high plateus and mountains
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Religions - Roman Catholic 76.5%, Protestant 6.3%
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Current issues - Hazardous waste disposal; natural freshwater; industry pollution of rivers; widespread erosion; water & air pollution; devastationof agricultural land
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Government - Federal Republic; Branches - President, Bicameral, Suprement Court
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Industries - Food & beverages; tobacco; chemicals; iron & steel; petroluem; mining; textiles; clothing; motor vehicle; tourism
