What is the origin of the name Mexico?
The name Mexico originates from the Nahuatl word Mexica, referring to the heartland of the Aztec Empire in the Valley of Mexico. The very origin of the toponym remains a subject of historical debate.
Common questions about Mexico
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire begin and end?
The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire began in 1519 when Hernán Cortés founded Veracruz. The conquest concluded with the capture of Tenochtitlan in 1521 and the establishment of New Spain.
Who declared the Cry of Dolores and when did it occur?
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a secular priest, declared against bad government in Dolores, Guanajuato, on the 16th of September 1810. This event known as the Cry of Dolores marks the beginning of Mexico's War of Independence.
What were the results of the Mexican Revolution regarding the Constitution of 1917?
The Mexican Revolution killed 900,000 out of Mexico's 15 million population and resulted in the winners meeting at a constitutional convention to draft the Constitution of 1917. This constitution empowered the government to expropriate resources and gave rights to labor.
Who became the first woman to lead Mexico and when was she sworn in?
Claudia Sheinbaum, AMLO's successor, won the 2024 presidential election in a landslide and became the first woman to lead Mexico. She was sworn in on the 1st of October 2024.
What is Mexico's ranking in global biodiversity and which species groups does it lead?
Mexico ranks fourth in the world in biodiversity and is one of the 17 megadiverse countries. It ranks first in biodiversity in reptiles with 707 known species and second in mammals with 438 species.