There are certain facts about Mexico that are clear. It's a magical country rich in history, amazing food and scenic landscapes. No wonder it has become one of the top tourist destinations over the years. Despite all of its popularity and beloved spirit, there are plenty of facts about Mexico that remain a mystery. You don't want to miss these things you never knew about Mexico. It'll show you Mexico in a new prideful light.
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Image via Corbis
Mother tongues still rule
Most people would assume that just Spanish is spoken in Mexico, but that's not the case. There are 68 indigenous languages spoken in the country. It's pretty amazing that centuries later the mother tongues still rule.
Tamales were reserved for special occasions
Aztecs and Mayans used tamales as a portable food to feed armies, hunters and travelers. At one point, they were restricted to just special occasions. No wonder they're so tasty!
Mexico is home to the largest pyramid
Egypt is home to the largest pyramid known as the Great Pyramid of Khufu, but Mexico owns this title when looking at New World pyramids. The Great Pyramid of Cholula in the town of Puebla towers at 1,300 feet in height.
Largest concentration of Americans living outside the U.S.
Americans love south of the border so much that Mexico is home to the largest concentration of Americans living outside of the U.S. That's 600,000 Americans to be exact!
Cocoa seeds were like a dollar in your pocket!
The Aztecs adored cocoa seeds so much that they once served as currency. They believed that the ingredient was a gift by the God of wisdom and was highly cherished as a popular drink. Its aphrodisiac powers definitely didn't hurt.
Mexico City is a dream for museum lovers
No matter your interest, there's a museum for you to visit in Mexico City. The city is home to 160 museums and the best part is that most of them are free on Sundays.
McDonald's buys Mexico's sesame seeds
Seventy five percent of those sesame seeds in your favorite McDonald's burger bun are grown and imported from Mexico and devoured worldwide. Who knew?!
The Mexican axolotl is an endangered species
This cute little guy is a special type of salamander found in Mexico's Lake Xochimilco. Due to environmental changes and new species, there are only a little more than 1,000 Mexican axolotl living today.
Mexico is the second largest producer of horse meat
Horse meat may not sound too appetizing to us, but it's largely consumed in Asia, South America and Europe. China is known as the world's largest producer of horse meat, but Mexico comes in second. It imports about 70,000 tons of it a year.
Mexico's official name is...
You thought Mexico's official name was Mexico? Wrong! The country's actual name is United Mexican States. I'm sure that will come up as a trivia question at some point in your life!
