Sunday 25 September 2011

Random Trivia for Traveling to Mexico


Are you a traveling trivia buff? Or just a traveler? Either way, we have a collection of interesting little known facts about Mexico that will tickle your trivia fancies. Use what you learn to start a conversation, or bore someone. Teach the kids a few fun facts while waiting for the flight. Test them later! They would love that. Let’s get started.

Did you know the national flower of Mexico is the dahlia? It’s true. It was found there by European botanists, but had been used by the Aztecs for medicinal means for centuries. Incidentally, no one has ever been able to cultivate a blue dahlia. Lots of movies have been made with the title Blue Dahlia, but there is no actual dahlia in a blue colour.

The oldest university in North America is the National University of Mexico and was founded by King Charles V of Spain in 1551. Take that Harvard!

If you happen to be traveling to the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz or on the Yucatan Peninsula, be careful when ordering tamales. In those regions they are sometimes made to be very large, over a foot long and quite thick.

Just north of Veracruz is the state of Tamaulipas, which is home to the Zacahuil tamale. It is generally three feet long and can weight over one hundred pounds. Unless you are feeding a small army, don’t order the Zacahuil.

Those red leafy plants everyone likes to have in their homes during the holidays? They originated in Mexico. The red poinsettia was named after the first US ambassador to Mexico during the 1820′s.

The actual name of Mexico is not Mexico. It is the United Mexican States. Not surprisingly they have a constitution modeled after that of the US, but the Mexican flag is very much their own.

Mexico City is sinking, even faster than Venice! The city is built over the ancient ruins of the largest Aztec city, Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs built their most important city on a small island in the middle of a lake, as a means of defence. Unfortunately, through wars and population growth the city was destroyed and eventually built over. Now the water underneath Mexico City is being pumped out in order supply the population of the city. Engineers estimate the city sinks half a foot annually. Eek!

To end things we will remind everyone that Mexico is responsible for bringing the world such wonders as chocolate, tequila, maize (corn) and chillies. Let us all give thanks to this wonderful nation whose existence has enriched our lives so much.

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1 comment:

  1. Spend your luxury holidays in Mexico. You'll surely love this wonderful place. It's a great place to enjoy.

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