Mexico has long been a region of trials and tribulations, and these have blossomed forth in the form of republics, disputes, revolutions and reversions. Until the Spanish discovered the region in the 16th century, it had been the dominion of the Maya and Aztec, plus some other cultures, but this changed abruptly with the arrival of the Spanish. Conquistadors arrived after 1519, and starting with the Yucatan area, proceeded to conquer and rule the country, creating a colony of Spain for several centuries.

But the story was far from over. An interesting time in Mexico occurred, when a monarchy that was established by Napoleon III, (nephew of Bonaparte) collapsed within the space of only three years, after his troops invaded in the 19th century and installed his friends to the throne. In order to understand why these events took place, it’s important to establish a rough sense of what had occurred in New Spain over the previous three centuries.

The conquest of the Aztec empire by Cortes in 1521 was only the beginning; taking over the rest of the country took another century to complete. Friars began converting the indigenous populations and helped to establish a feudal system that best benefited Spain, in which the locals were seen as nothing but a labor force. Under colonial law, Mexican natives were forbidden from education, had no access to administrative office, and were only able to grow crops which would benefit the European nation.

In 1810, the locals had had enough. A peasant uprising escalated into a full-blown War of Independence, lasting eleven years, which resulted in Spain surrendering their colonial claims to the land. Augustine de Iturbide was the ruler of the First Mexican Empire, and he had helped in stopping the conflict.. However, the regime collapsed after only eight months due to infighting between two major factions: the liberals, who favored democracy, and the conservatives, who wanted a monarch to rule.

This struggle would be a major aspect in Mexico’s politics over the next several decades. After declaring the land to be a Republic, the nation found itself at war with the United States several times, losing the northern states (what are now Texas and California, among others). The Reform Wars of the mid 19th century were instrumental in hampering a second federalist government: an attempt, by the liberals, to to strip the Catholic Church of a lot of its power, and to remove centralist authority, resulted in a brutal civil war.

It was an unstable period of time, where fourteen different state heads reigned over the course of seventeen years, as part of the Second Republic. The war between the liberals and conservatives ended with the election of Benito Juarez as president in 1861, but the infrastructure and economy of Mexico were utterly crippled. It was around this time that Spain, Great Britain, and France began to pressure the government over the immense amount of debt that they were owed. The conservadores saw a chance to implement their desired monarchy, and when European fleets (including Napoleon III) arrived in 1862, there were treasonous people waiting to help them take over.

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When considering the technology used by ancient cultures, it’s tempting to take the value of gold, silver, steel and iron at face value, with out considering the worth of other substances. For the ancient people of South and Central America, one of the most notable items in terms of usefulness and societal hierarchy and functioning, was in fact the stone obsidian.

Obsidian is a black mineraloid that is formed when volcanic lava rapidly cools, producing glass rather than igneous stone. Due to its structure, which is similar to crystals, it is easily shaped into sharp flints and edges. Metallurgy hadn’t been developed at this point in Mesoamerica, so the working properties of obsidian made it very useful. Found at practically every archaeology site in Mexico, it mainly was sourced from Sierra Madre de Chiapas where volcanoes were located.

A great variety of uses were found for obsidian by the old civilizations. Easily honed into very sharp points that could be used as knives and other cutting objects, it was used from early times. These utensils have been found in the remains of rabbits, mollusks, and rodents, indicating that they were used for slaughter and harvest of the meat.

Ritual uses for obsidian were common. More advanced carving techniques allowed for the material to be made into miniature effigies, earrings, animal figurines, vases, and masks. There were a number of death rituals which were associated with the use of the volcanic glass, and it was also related to specific Maya gods during their empire’s reign.

Obsidian was used in ritual blood-letting and according to some researchers, the ancient civilizations considered the material to be the blood of the earth; its use in their religious services making it especially symbolic. Buried with highly placed members of society, it was a treasured item that was also used to indicate the status of an individual.

Each volcano has a unique chemical composition, and the obsidian which come from it can be traced back to the source. Archaeological evidence shows that volcanic glass ended up spread all over the country, signifying that it was heavily traded between various groups over long periods of time. The Teotihuacan culture may have traded the material at a significant loss, choosing to transport it over very large distances in return for the ability to turn it into elite status items. The concept of using the stone as a currency never seemed to take hold in Mesoamerica; nonetheless, it was undeniably held in a position of great importance and was integral to the development of the area’s societies.

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Believe it or not, Mexico is a nation with a wide variety of cultural groups, and the language diversity of the various regional groups make up a total for the country that numbers over 60. It is not just the Mayans and the Aztec that made their mark within the country but also these smaller indigenous groups. For example, the Raramuri, who are also known as the Tarahumara (a group native to the Copper Canyon area of Chihuahua state) are considered unique in their ability to run great distances without breaks.

Historically, the Raramuri lived in relative seclusion in comparison to the more widespread indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica. Spanish mines had been established in Chihuahua by the 17th century, and many of the people were rounded up to work in them. In a brave move in 1648, the tribe declared war on the colonizers of their area, the Jesuit missionaries. A small group splintered off as a result of this conflict, winning back much of the land where the missions were based and reclaiming it as their own.

Today it is estimated that there are between 35,000 and 70,000 Raramuri living in Chihuahua, many of whom exist in a very traditional lifestyle, migrating from the cool high mountains in the Copper Canyon to the lower valleys as the seasons change. Their language is in the Uto-Aztecan group of native tongues, and they practice a combination of Roman Catholicism mixed in with indigenous beliefs. The Tarahumara are known for brewing a corn-based alcoholic beverage in clay jars, using both it and peyote in their religious rituals.

Some Raramuri have the seemingly unique ability to run up to 120 miles continuously, without stopping from fatigue, and while having no lasting impact on their health. The culture’s name for themselves means ‘runners on foot’, and they can travel over extremely rough canyon ground while barefoot. Relay competitions are often popular, and the Tarahumara men will race in relay-style drills where they also kick wooden balls along the ground; these exhibitions can last for a few hours up to a few days with no breaks.

American writer Christopher McDougall published a book in 2009 entitled ‘Born to Run’, in which he chronicles his efforts to find and interview the Raramuri. Curious about why the tribe members could run so quickly, and for such a long way without ill effects, he worked to discover their secrets. His conclusion pointed to failings in the design of modern running shoes, and eschewed them in favor of the thin sandals, or huaraches, worn by the Tarahumara.

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When the Europeans arrived in Mesoamerica they were confronted with the highly developed architecture, art and written language of the Maya culture. They were the only culture in the region to have a well ingrained written language that was very advanced. They also inhabited the region for a very long time, and had a long history in which to develop their culture. The Preclassic Period is not so commonly known as their later history – a history that is more frequently written about.

The Classic period of the Maya took place between 300 and 900 AD, and the sudden collapse of that incarnation of the civilization is one of the most tantalizing mysteries in archaeology. The Preclassic era takes place from the time of the earliest evidence of settlement until about 250 AD. By 2000 BC there were Maya speakers present in the south of Mexico (although no one is exactly sure why or how they got there) and the people had begun the transition to an agricultural village life rather than being nomadic hunter-gatherers. 1000 years later, these small groups of huts had transformed into the beginnings of a society, including trade of desirable goods and traces of irrigation canals.

The first Maya city-state was likely Kaminaljuyu, in what is now modern day Guatemala. By 900 BC it had a complex government structure that was able to exude power and influence over other smaller cities in the area. The spot was also the primary source for obsidian, which was an extremely valuable resource. Evidence of economic relations between this group and the older Olmec civilization, which was peaking in power and well established here, has been unearthed.

The Middle Preclassic, from 1000 to 400 BC, was a time of great conceptual growth. Not yet showing a writing system, carvings and murals that showed warriors, gods and rulers were depicted. Maize was an integral component of the Maya diet, and similar to the Olmec, they seemed to have worshiped the jaguar.

From 400 to 250 BC, several more large cities were built, including El Mirador and San Bartolo. For unknown reasons even to this day, the sites were left to ruin when they were abandoned,. Surprisingly, the Maya never died out, although their next larger empire eventually fell too, even as their customs and ideologies remained intact. There are communities that are active today in Mexico who trace their roots back to this culture. There are several theories as to why this first Preclassic period ended, but none are truly provable due to simple lack of evidence. The later history of this influential group is better documented, but would not have existed without this first round of cultural rise and fall.

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Most people, whether they have traveled to Mexico or not are familiar with the amazing pyramids that can be found there with their unique layered structure and level pinnacles. The Pyramid of the Magician is an amazing feat of engineering and construction and its huge scale is bewildering for those who visit it. It is the city of Uxmal’s most massive structure.

The pyramid, also called El Advino, is the centerpiece of this ancient Maya city, and was likely built between 700 and 1000 AD. The complex of Uxmal was home to at least 25,000 citizens at its zenith. The center building is located on the eastern side of the city, so that its western-facing stairway is facing the setting sun. Considered now to be the height of late Mayan architecture, UNESCO has labelled it a World Heritage location.

The Pyramid of the Magician is approximately 115 feet high, though this measurement is disputed; by many estimates it reaches over 130 feet in height. The base measures 227 feet long by 162 feet wide, and is unique from other structures of the time period due to its rounded sides, steep slope, and the fact that its base is elliptical in shape rather than rectangular or square. The name comes from a Maya folk legend which tells of a trickster god named Itzamna who supposedly built the entire structure overnight.

It took three centuries to actually complete the pyramid, which was done in multiple phases. The oldest structure at the base of the pyramid dates to approximately 500 AD, and decorated with the masks of the rain god, Chaac. Fascinatingly, the structure is actually multiple temples nestled within each other, with 5 excavated so far. The final one, at the very top, dates to the ninth century. The Chenes design features are prevalent in the later parts of the structure while the Puuc design elements make up the older sections.

Some of the visible decorations on El Advino include multiple busts of Chaac, who was a god of the Chenes people. Incredibly, his jaws form the doorway, as a huge carving of him is at the entryway on the west side of Temple IV. Smooth limestone, wood crests, and wide inclined friezes make up the Puuc contributions.

The Pyramid of the Magician was abandoned after 1000 AD, and was looted during the Spanish Conquest. Restoration efforts have been continuously carried out since the mid 19th century, and continue to this day, especially since UNESCO declared Uxmal to be a World Heritage Site in 1996. Tourists are now forbidden from climbing the mighty El Advino, but its majesty can still be admired.

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Most people love to travel. Most of us would travel all the time if we had enough money. In fact, many surveys show that people, if they received a very large sum of money, would travel for many months. Just the idea of going somewhere new and experiencing the amazing thing that are there is enough to give somebody a pretty good daydream. However, traveling costs money, and most people don’t have a lot of extra cash lying around. Traveling is also a hassle, as you’ve got to only bring so many bags, and understand all the crazy security rules for traveling.

This is exactly why so many people love going on a road trip. You don’t have to worry about how much to bring, you can go at your own pace, and you can stop whenever you want. However, if you don’t plan things out right, it could easily turn into a disaster that nobody will ever forget. That’s why this article is filled with helpful tips to make your next road trip an enjoyable experience.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to have things to do in the car. Sitting in a car for several hours a day can get pretty boring. That’s why you need as many activities as you can think of to keep your passengers busy. Especially if you’ve got small kids, you’ll need a whole host of ideas to keep them from getting bored, and likely driving you crazy.

One idea is to get them some new toys before you leave. If they bring toys they’ve already played with, then they’ll get bored quickly. But when you’ve got new toys, they’ll be much more likely to enjoy themselves for a longer period of time. Another trick you can do is not tell them what the toy is, and then spring it on them about an hour into the trip. This can build up excitement for your road trip.

Since they have gotten so cheap recently, portable DVD players are perfect for road trips. They are cheap enough so that you can buy one for each kid. Just make sure they have headphone jacks so they don’t bother you. Take them to the DVD store, the video store, or even the library and let them load up on their favorite DVDs for the trip.

Since kids are going to want to eat, you’ve got to feed them. But if you bring a huge grocery bag filled with goodies and let them have at it, it will create a huge mess. An alternative is to get plenty of small zip lock bags, and fill them with a couple snacks each. That way, you can give them small portions without worrying about any messes.

Of course, if you give them food, you are also going to have to give them something to drink. This can be dangerous, as if they drink too much, they are going to have to stop and go to the bathroom every twenty minutes. Get some small cans of juice, or small 8 Oz bottles of water, and this should be enough.

These tips will help you to have a fantastic road trip. Just keep driving, enjoy the time with your family, and have fun.

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Simple Ideas For A Rewarding Family Road Trip is a post from: Malaga Airport Car Rental

People love to travel. That is one indisputable fact about human nature. We have been traveling all throughout human history. That’s why we started out in Africa and ended up in places like Nova Scotia and Norther Scotland. However, traveling is expensive, and it takes a lot of time. Most of us only get a couple weeks of per year, and most of us don’t have huge stacks of cash at home that we don’t know what to do with. That’s why it’s important to save as much money as possible on your next vacation. You’ll enjoy yourself more, and you won’t stress out so much. In this article, you are going to learn some handy tips for saving money while traveling.

One idea is to travel during the off season. The economic laws of supply and demand state that while demand is low, prices drop, and when demand is high, prices increase. So it makes sense that if you travel when nobody else is traveling, you’ll pay cheaper rates. Also, if you go places that nobody else wants to go to, you’ll pay cheaper rates as well.

Another idea is to be flexible with your departure date. This means being open to leaving on a Tuesday morning at five O’clock, rather than Friday afternoon. Being flexible will allow you to get cheaper tickets.

If you fly often, or use any kind of credit card often, there are likely plenty of opportunities to earn miles or reward points. These can add up over time, and can even get you a free flight for your next vacation if you plan far enough ahead.

If you’ve got some friends and family scattered across the country, consider getting in touch with them. They’ll let you crash on their couch, and this can save you quite a bit of money on your hotel bills. Just make sure to take them out to dinner or something.

If you really want to save some cash, consider camping out instead of staying at a hotel. This will help you to meet some really interesting people, and you’ll really get a feel for your target location. If you don’t have the proper camping equipment, you can probably rent it fairly cheaply at your local sporting goods store.

Another way to save money is to eat at grocery stores. They have plenty of ready to eat meals, so you can easily load up and have lunch or dinner in a local park. This is another way to really blend in with the locals and save money at the same time.

These are some great tips that can easily save you some money on your next trip. Just plan ahead, and you’ll be fine.

One of the most popular places to travel to these days is to New York to watch some Broadway shows. If you’re interested in some affordable Broadway tickets NYC, please visit the Broadway tickets NYC website today.

How To Easily Save Boatloads Of Money On Your Next Vacation is a post from: Malaga Airport Car Rental

One of the great destinations in Italy that many tourists do not even contemplate visiting is Sicily. It is an overlooked jewel as a travel destination because it is full of so much diverse history and culture from the various groups that have ruled the island. Sicily has been ruled by the Greeks, Romans, Pheonicians, Saracens, Arabs, Normans, Spaniards, French, etc. Each of these groups have left their own unique mark on the island, and it is apparent when you visit. In fact, some of the best Greek ruins in the world are located in Sicily.

A great way to see Sicily is to start with Palermo as a hub-city, and then from there, you can easily do some day trips including:

Monreale – about a half-hour from central Palermo lies the sleepy little Sicilian town of Monreale, home to an amazingly beautiful 12th century medieval cathedral of Byzantine character, Norman characteristics and Arab symmetry. Many buses leave daily from Palermo to Monreale.

Cefalu’ – a picturesque fishing village that is now turning into a hot-spot for tourists that is filled with great clubs, restaurants, and of course a world-renown beach. This makes an easy 1-hour drive or train ride from Palermo.

Segesta – excellent Greek archaeological ruins, and temples, one of the best sites in the Mediterranean. Located about an hour and a half west of Palermo. It is best to drive or to take a bus.

Erice – a Medieval mountaintop town complete with a fortress and castles overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. This is about a 2-hour ride from Palermo, best by car or bus.

San Vito Lo Capo – a delightful coastal town, about 2 hours west of Palermo, that has a great sandy beach.

Agrigento – a must see for archaeological buffs is the Valley of the Temples. A collection of Doric temples dating back 2,000 years form a beautiful valley right near the sea. This is about a 90-minute drive from Palermo which takes you through some beautiful Sicilian countryside, including the small town of Corleone.

Mount Etna – This is about a 3-hour drive from Palermo, a little bit much for a day-trip, but still can be accomplished if you leave early. The largest active volcano in Europe is a beautiful sight that rises almost 10,000 feet above sea-level. It is best to drive from Palermo, or take a train to Catania and spend the night. And then from Catania you can drive or take a tour bus.

There you have it, some great day trips from Palermo where you can use the capital city as a hub and explore the great culture and beauty of Sicily.

Popular Day Trips from Palermo Sicily is a post from: Malaga Airport Car Rental

Early Mexican history conjures up images of chocolate with chili peppers, Mesoamerican pyramids and the leader Montezuma. Historical figures of great importance plus many unique innovations also belong to these regional civilizations. There were notable writers and poets such as Nezahualcoyotl, and many unique writing formats, some of which are still highly regarded today.

Nezahualcoyotl was the ruler of Texcoco, a city-state in the plateau region of Mexico. He was also a warrior, a philosopher, and a poet, and his work and legacy are now legendary. Born in 1402, he was the son of the then-ruler of the city, Ixtilxochitl I; though he was the heir to the throne, the city was conquered by the invading Tepanec tribe, forcing the royal family to flee into exile.

The adjacent city of Azapotzalco was the birthplace of the Tepanec people.; after several years in hiding, Nezahualcoyotl joined an allies’ military and led a siege against Texcoco’s new rulers. A coalition was formed, with the help of information gained through implanted spies, and Pre-Hispanic armies endeavored and succeeded in reconquering the region.. This son of a deposed king was once again home, and was crowned ruler in 1431.

The army did not only re-take Texcoco, but also wiped out Azapotzalco, eliminating the Tepanec as a significant power. The Aztec Triple Alliance came together under Nezahualcoyotl’s smart coalition plan to consolidate the power of three city-states.. He was well-known as a sage and wise king, who encouraged philosophers, musicians, and artists to make themselves at home and debate with him over important issues of the day.

The era of Nezahualcoyotl’s rule came to be known as the Golden age of Texcoco. It was a place where artistry, law, and scholarly pursuits were celebrated, and the city became known as the intellectual center of the Triple Alliance. It had a massive library that was renowned throughout the area, but was unfortunately destroyed during the Spanish conquest. Athens of the Western World was how the kingdom came to be known..

The tradition of passing down stories and other writings has made Nezahualcoyotl famous, as his poetry has been preserved in the Classical Nahuatl language over the decades.. Texcoco’s building and engineering projects were influenced by him and his clever design ability.. For instance, he is credited with building a dike which separated the fresh water of a local lake from the undrinkable brackish liquid; the system remained in use for over one hundred years following his death.

When Nezahualcoyotl died in 1472, he was survived by 110 children; one of them, his son Nezahuapilli, took the throne and continue to rule. His descendants have collected his poetry for public consumption. A statue of the king stands in the city which bears his name, near the capital of Mexico.

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Nezahualcoyotl – The Aztec Warrior Poet is a post from: Malaga Airport Car Rental

One can find Licenciado Adolfo Lopez Mateos International Airport listed as easily one of the top ten airports in Mexico, and this is to be expected as almost one and a half million people made use of the airport in the last year. Found in relatively close proximity to Mexico International, it is noted for it’s unusual feature of having ample space for flight take offs. Located in Toluca, it’s a mere 30 miles away and provides great back up services to the region’s main center.

A long runway is especially necessary in high elevations where air density is quite low, such as at Mexico City International. Aircraft in sweltering climates and working in mountainous regions require additional considerations in order to obtain lift off.. Additional cooling of airplane engines is frequently required to allow them to combat the air density problem that can create a loss of power during takeoff.. However, when conditions are at an extreme level Mateos International is often used to divert large heavy flights from Mexico International. Many travelers enjoy the option of traveling through airports that have a smaller volume of traffic, and Mateos International fits the bill..

Mateos International is named after Mexico’s 48th President Adolfo Lopez Mateos. He was a popular man, most notably for creating the National Commission for Free Textbooks and implementing the groundwork for what are now world class museums, such as the Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of Anthropology. Adolfo Lopez Mateos has been instrumental in defining the importance of many archaeological artifacts, and in showcasing the fascinating history of Mexico through his endeavors.. He was definitely an integral figure on Mexico’s rise from a developing country to a first world country.

There are just four passenger airlines that fly in and out of Mateos International on a regular basis. United Express, Interjet, Volaris and Spirit Airlines to name a few.. As far as cargo goes, Fedex is the main carrier for the location.. Cut rate fare airlines are a boon to Mateos International as they can effectively compete with the higher cost airlines of other airports.. Mexico city has a welcome alternative in Mateos International, as it is a more inexpensive airport..

As state capitals go, Toluca is a large city and ranks as the eighth largest in Mexico.. Notably, as a run-off airport for Mexico City, Mateos International is poised to become one of the busiest in Mexico. There is already a plan afoot to increase commercial traffic, with funding from private and public sources streaming in. As the popularity of Mateos International Airport takes hold make sure to take note.. There are surely many changes to come!

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