In 1519, the native civilizations of Mexico were invaded by Spain which was followed by the setting of a three-century colonial rule in Mexico. In 1810, Agustín de Iturbide took over as the first emperor of the new First Mexican Empire. In 1824, United Mexican States was created with Guadalupe Victoria as the first President. The twentieth century saw the beginning of the Mexican revolution.

Mexico’s political history played a major role in shaping its culture. Arts and crafts are practiced extensively in and around Mexico and some of their very unusual crafts are called alebrijes. Another important aspect of culture one witnesses in Mexico is the Mexican traditional lifestyle.

Mexico is bounded by the United States in the north; North Pacific Ocean in the southern and the western region and by the Gulf of Mexico in the west. Mexico’s dominant geographic feature is the great highland central plateau which extends to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The Chiapas highland is located on the southern side of the plateau. The lowlands of Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatán lie in the northern and the eastern side of the highland.