Mexico in Perspective - Orientation Guide and Spanish (Mexican) Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Security, Guadalajara, Ciudad Juarez, Indios, Indigenismo, Mestizos, Mestizaje

This is a professionally-formatted, free flowing ebook reproduction of unique, up-to-date guides produced by the Department of Defense that provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Mexico, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.

CHAPTER 1: PROFILE * Geography * Area * Climate * Geographical Divisions and Topographical Features * Rivers and Lakes * Major Cities * Mexico City * Guadalajara * Puebla * Ciudad Juarez * Monterrey * History * Government * Media * Traditional Jobs and Economy * Ethnic Groups * Mestizo * Nahua * Maya * Zapotec * Mixtec * Tarahumara * CHAPTER 2: RELIGION * Overview of Major Religions * Roman Catholicism * Protestantism * Role of Religion in Government * Religion in Daily Life * Religious Conventions and Gender Roles * Religious Events and Holidays * Dia de la Candelaria * Semana Santa * Dias de los Muertos * Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe * Las Posadas * Buildings of Worship * Behavior in Places of Worship * CHAPTER 3: TRADITIONS * Formulaic Codes of Politeness * Male/Female Interaction * Hospitality and Gift Giving * Eating Habits/Types of Food * Dress Codes * Nonreligious Celebrations * Mexican Independence * Cinco de Mayo * Dos and Don'ts * CHAPTER 4: URBAN LIFE * Urbanization Issues * Healthcare * Education and Schools * Restaurants * Marketplace and Street Vendors * Urban Traffic and Transportation * Traffic Conditions * Bus Transportation * Taxis * Peseros (Colectivos) * Street Crime and Solicitations * Petty Crimes * Kidnapping * Taxi Crime * Sexual Assault * Organized Crime * CHAPTER 5: RURAL LIFE * Land Distribution/Ownership * Rural Economy * Rural Transportation Issues * Healthcare * Rural Education * Village Life * Border Crossings and Checkpoints * Landmines * CHAPTER 6: FAMILY LIFE * Family Structure * Male/Female Interactions within the Family * Status of Elders, Adolescents, and Children * Elders * Adolescents * Children * Married Life, Birth, and Divorce * Married Life * Birth * Divorce * Family Social Events * Marriage * Funerals * Quinceanera * Naming Conventions * CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHY * Physical Terrain and Topographic Features * Climate * Water Resources * Major Cities * Mexico City (Distrito Federal) * Guadalajara * Monterrey * Puebla * Leon * Merida * Border Towns * Coastal Cities * Environmental Concerns * Natural Hazards * CHAPTER 2: HISTORY * Ancient Civilizations * Early Settlers * Preclassic Period (2000 B.C.E.-200 C.E.) * Classic Period (200-900 C.E.) * Postclassic Period (900-1520 C.E.) * Spanish Conquest and Colonization * Cortes and Moctezuma * Crown and Cross * Colonial Economy and Society * Resistance * Independence * Grito de Dolores, the Cry of Independence * First Mexican Empire * Many Mexicos * The Age of Santa Anna * Mexican-American War * La Reforma * Benito Juarez and the Reform Laws * War of Reform * French Intervention * The Porfiriato * Revolution * Aftermath of Revolution * One-Party Democracy * The Party Rises * To the Left * To the Right * Falling Down * Multiparty Democracy * Recent History * CHAPTER 3: ECONOMY * Agriculture * Industry * Energy * Oil and Natural Gas * Trade * Transportation * Telecommunications * Tourism * Banking and Finance * Banking and Currency * Finance and Investment * Standard of Living * Employment Trends * Migration * Public vs. Private Sector * Outlook * CHAPTER 4: SOCIETY * Ethnic Groups and Languages * Indigenous Peoples (Indios) and Indigenismo * Mestizos and Mestizaje * Languages * Religion * Catholicism * Other Religions * Cuisine * Traditional Dress * Gender Issues * Arts * Precolumbian Traditions * Colonial Architecture and Arts * National Traditions * Popular Culture * Sports and Recreation