Population – 106.4 million, Area – 758,449 sq miles (1,959,248 sq km), Currency – Mexican Peso (MXN; symbol M$) = 100 centavos, Flight times – Flight times to and from US-Cities to Mexico's capital vary from 2-6 hours, depending on how far north you are traveling from. Flight times to Cancun are 4-8 hours; Flight times to Puerto Vallarta and Baja (e.g. La Paz, Los Cabos) 1-4 hours, Cities – Mexico City (capital), Guadalajara, Monterrey, Acapulco, Cancún, Time Zone – Mexico uses three time zones; most of the country uses Central Standard Time; the states of Chihuahua, Nayarit, Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California Sur use Mountain Standard Time and Baja California Norte uses Pacific Standard Time, Weather – Dry season (from late November to early June) and the rainy season (from June to November), Languages – Spanish is the official language (spoken by more than 90%), English is widely spoken, 8% speak indigenous languages, of which Nátinate is most common, Religion – 89% Roman Catholic, 5% Protestant and 6% other denominations, Electricity - 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American two-pin (flat) plugs are usual.

Mexico is a land with a vibrant, colorful and unique nature with varied terrain ranging from cactus-studded deserts to the white sandy beaches and blue waters, tropical rainforest and jungle-clad hills to steep rocky canyons and narrow gorges, and from snow-capped volcano peaks to bustling cities. Located in the Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the US and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the US

Since the height of Mayan and Aztec civilizations, Mexico has suffered the destructive force of the conquerors, the European colonial rule, civil and territorial wars, rebellions, dictatorships, recessions and earthquakes. The countryside remains un-spoilt by development, and its cities display a unique style of architecture. The extraordinary history is reflected in the ancient Mayan temples spread across the jungles and ruins of Aztec civilizations, rural indigenous villages, Spanish colonial cities and silver mining towns, and traditional Mexican ports.

Buildings display a unique combination of colonial and pagan architecture, blending together Art Nouveau, Baroque, Art Deco and Native American design into the structure of their churches and public structures. The country's culture displays a similar blend of the traditional and modern, where pagan meets Christian in a series of festivals, or fiestas throughout the year.

Language in Mexico

Spanish is the official language. As many as 100 Native American languages are still spoken in Mexico, but no single alternative language prevails. Eighty percent of those Mexicans who speak an indigenous language also speak Spanish. The most important of the Native American languages is Nahuatl. It is the primary language of more than a million Mexicans and is spoken by nearly one-fourth of all Native Americans in the country

Mexico's Capital City, often referred to as just "Mexico" by people living in the country, and is one of the world's most populated areas with an estimated 22 million inhabitants living inside an area of 750 square kilometers.

Mexico City is situated over 2,250 meters (7,400 feet) above sea level and watched over by two mighty volcanoes. It is one of the oldest cities in the world. Originally a “floating city”, served by a large and complex network of canals when it was the epicenter of the Aztec empire; today, the nation’s capital is one of the world’s most populous mega-cities on our planet.

A restored ruin of the most important temple of that ancient city, Templo Mayor, can be seen today in the archaeology park next door to the Cathedral in the heart of the historical center: the rest of the architecture in the old city downtown has a distinctly Spanish feel about it.

Mexico City is the center of government, business and culture in Mexico. Over one-fifth of Mexico's population works lives and plays here. The city never seems to sleep and the omnipresent energy is one of the big attractions of this metropolis.

Monterrey, Mexico's modern-day commercial and industrial powerhouse is also third largest city, is set in the spectacular Sierra Madre mountain region of north-west Mexico. With a population of almost three million residents many of Mexico's biggest companies are headquartered here; it is also a huge area for maquliadoras, factories where goods are assembled, often from foreign components, to be exported once again for sale in the USA, Europe and Asia.

Guadalajara is Mexico's second largest city situated in the state of Jalisco. Guadalajara is an important city colorful and vibrant, with 5 million inhabitants; it is also one of Mexico's colonial treasures.

Guadalajara is often described as the "most Mexican of all Mexico's cities", partly because the culture here is traditionally Mexican. It has all the amenities you would want from a large city in Mexico: Colonial center, great art and culture, good shopping, great restaurants serving a huge variety and choice of delicious food, excellent choice of accommodation options, and a vibrant nightlife - without the pollution, severe traffic headaches and other associated side-effects of Mexico City.

The phenomenon of Medical Tourism is rapidly spreading around the globe and for many people in the US; Mexico has long been their destination of choice for medical care thanks to the high standard and low cost of the treatments available there.

The Mexican border with the USA is one of the world's first and busiest Medical Tourism destinations. Tijuana, in the Baja California Peninsula, offers some of the best medical facilities in the Americas, with high tech eye-surgeries and some of Mexico's top quality hospitals. The border areas are where a traveler is most likely to encounter English-speaking care, but if Spanish isn't an issue Mexico also offers a number of other possibilities, including some highly respected hospitals in Mexico City.

Medical and Dental Tourists from the United States, Canada & Western Europe vacation in Mexico to saving money on treatments which otherwise is difficult to obtain or too expensive. Reasons mainly are unbearably long waiting periods for government health services, prohibitively high cost of procedures or lack of Insurance coverage.

Laser eye surgery, dermatology, cardiology, cosmetic surgery, breast augmentation, and cosmetic dentistry including crowns, dentures and implants are just some of the many specialty treatments available to the medical tourist in Los Cabos, Mexico. Staff members have often completed training in the USA and many continue to update their training with US organizations. The Hospital Angeles group, the largest in Mexico, has an impressive facility in Tijuana, with over half its staff members US or UK Medical Board certified.

Cosmetic plastic surgery and treatments ranging from Botox shots to breast augmentations and liposuction can be up to 70% less in Cabo San Lucas than in Los Angeles California. Patients often elect to stay at the hotel to recuperate and relax. The low cost, personal service and ambience can't be touched by renowned hospitals such as Huntington Park Memorial in Pasadena California.

Mexico has long been a destination also for those wishing to save on prescription medications. Like Canada, many medications that are high priced in the United States can be acquired in Mexico for a fraction of the price. Mexico's hospitals are similarly ranked to those in the U.S. according to the World Health Organization. A majority of Mexican hospitals are clean and modern with a large amount of private rooms. Physicians in Mexico are often known for their level of personal care and interaction with their patients, and will be happy to talk with you about any of your concerns about your treatment.

In Mexico one can have medical and dental treatments and then enjoy relaxing on sandy semi-tropical beaches and swim in warm, crystal clear waters full of colorful tropical fish. One can fish big game such as Marlin or Dorado, golf on one of many designer championship courses, snorkel and scuba dive a coral reef, ride horses, ATV's, rent boats, and jeeps to explore traditional Mexican villages and backcountry desert roads.

While hospital accreditation on the American model has been slow to gain momentum in Mexico, standards in testing and laboratory monitoring have been harmonized across the Canadian, US and Mexican area. Mexico's "Entidad Mexicana de Acceditación" is a full member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation guaranteeing verifiable standards within accredited institutions. Even with the slow uptake of accreditation across Mexico, some private groups are jumping ahead of the curve. Both the Hospital Angeles group and Hospital Chistus Muguerza are in the process of completing Joint Commission International accreditation programmes.

Mexico presents an ideal location for dental and cosmetic surgeries. A steady flow of US citizens passes through the border to one of the highest densities of dental practices on earth. Lower costs and a large number of US qualified practitioners make for a hard to turn down saving over the prices north of the border. Cosmetic surgeons can also offer lower costs than their northern counterparts with some practices offering recuperation accommodation away from the bustle of busy urban centers.

If you are considering traveling for medical treatment, Mexico offers a chance to obtain high quality treatment at a fraction of the cost involved in the getting the same treatment in the US, and yet it is only a short hop away for most Americans.

Mariachis from Guadalajara are the traditional Mexican musicians with their black velvet dress, and unmistakable large Mariachi hats. Mariachis play melodies and sing traditional Mexican folk songs, usually in plazas, at parties, restaurants, weddings, birthday celebrations etc.

Another great Mexican product and one of Mexico's most successful exports - Tequila - also began life in Guadalajara. Tequila is made from the Blue Maguey plant and, not surprisingly, Guadalajara is still one of the main Tequila producing areas in Mexico today

Guadalajara also gave Mexico its famous wide-rimmed hat (the famous Mexican Sombrero), introduced the Mexican Hat Dance, and pioneered Charreadas - today more commonly known as the Rodeo. Many of the key images associated with Mexico were bequeathed to the nation by one city - Guadalajara.

Mexican Family Values

The family is at the centre of the social structure.

Outside of the major cosmopolitan cities, families are still generally large. The extended family is as important as the nuclear family since it provides a sense of stability. Mexicans consider it their duty and responsibility to help family members both financially and physically. Families are extremely traditional, with the father as the head, the authority figure and the decision-maker.

Hierarchical Society

Mexican society and business are highly stratified and vertically structured. Mexicans emphasize hierarchical relationships. People respect authority and look to those above them for guidance and decision-making. Rank is important, and those above you in rank must always be treated with respect. This makes it important to know which person is in charge, and leads to an authoritarian approach to decision-making and problem- solving.

Mexicans are very aware of how each individual fits into each hierarchy--be it family, friends or business. It would be disrespectful to break the chain of hierarchy.

'Machismo'

Machismo literally means 'masculinity'. There are different outward behaviors to display machismo. For example, making remarks to women is a stereotypical sign of machismo and should not be seen as harassment. Mexican males generally believe that nothing must be allowed to tarnish their image as a man.

Besides a combination of unique culture and fascinating cities, Mexico also boasts several hundred miles of coastline extending down through both the Pacific and the Caribbean, which has branded the country as a popular summer retreat destination. Beach resort cities such as Acapulco, Cancun and those of the Baja California peninsula are accepted vacation havens. The countryside is also rich in archaeological treasures with pyramids, ruins of ancient cities and great stone carvings of ancient gods standing as testament to a country once ruled by the Aztecs and Mayans.

Flying into the city, it’s hard not to become overwhelmed by the sheer size and scale of the metropolis passes by underneath you. The city goes on for as far as the eye may see: if you fly in at night, it’s like gliding over an enormous ocean of lights.

Mexico City has a feast of experiences waiting for you to enjoy and savor. From a world-famous archaeology park to a world-class zoo and everything in-between - you'll find it in Mexico City.

The choice of restaurants here is immense: whatever food you like or want to experience - you can in Mexico City. The City has a feast of experiences waiting for you to enjoy and savor, from a world-famous archaeology park to a world-class zoo and everything in-between.

The city's main square, Plaza Makro, is one of the largest in the world. There are several museums in Monterrey, including the famous museum of contemporary art. Monterrey is also home to the country's top University - Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey

The Cathedral and buildings centered the main plaza, are an excellent example of modern colonial architecture blending in with the old world. Within an hour of Monterrey, you'll find some stunning ecological attractions too, including caves, waterfalls and, of course, the majestic and famous Sierra Madre mountain range which flanks this important Mexican city.