Facts about Independence Day

The official name of Mexico is Estados Únidos Mexicanos (United Mexican States). Independence Day Facts

Mexico is the 11th most populated country in the world with around 120 million people. Independence Day Facts

The Chihuahua is the world’s smallest dog and is named after the Mexican state. Independence Day Facts

Caesar salad comes from Mexico. It was invented by Caesar Cardini in his restaurant in Tijuana in 1924. Independence Day Facts

Mexico City has the highest elevation and is oldest city in North America. It is also one of the largest cities in the world. Independence Day Facts

Mexico City is the most traffic-congested city worldwide. Independence Day Facts

Mexico introduced chocolate, corn, and chilies to the world. Independence Day Facts

Mexico is the most populated Spanish-speaking country in the world. Independence Day Facts

8 out of the 50 U.S. states exist on the land that used to belong to Mexico. Prior to 1822; Mexico, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and California were all Spanish colonies. Independence Day Facts

Mexico's 34th president ruled the country for one hour. Independence Day Facts

There is only one gun shop in Mexico. Independence Day Facts

There is an atomic bomb museum in Mexico that is open for 12 hours a year. It's the location where the first atomic bomb was detonated and it is open between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the first Saturday in April and the first Saturday in October. Admission is free. Independence Day Facts

Although the Giza pyramid of Egypt is the tallest pyramid in the world, Mexico's pyramid, Cholula, is the widest. It occupies 4.3 million cubic yards compared to Giza’s pyramid, which occupies 3.4 million. When it was first discovered by the Spanish, it was covered in plants and they assumed it was a hill and built a church on top of it. Independence Day Facts

Mexico has 68 official languages. Independence Day Facts

The National University of Mexico was founded in 1551 by Charles V of Spain and is the oldest university in North America. Independence Day Facts

The first great Mexican civilisation were the Olmec, who lived between 1500-400 B.C. Independence Day Facts

Anthony Quinn was the first Mexican actor to win an Oscar. Independence Day Facts

The national dog is not the Chihuahua, it is the xoloitzcuintli or Mexican Hairless Dog. Independence Day Facts

Mayans used to throw hornet nests at their enemies. They were called Hornet Bombs. Independence Day Facts

Mexican drug cartels make $152 million annually by growing and selling avocados. Independence Day Facts

The Aztecs played a ritual ball game called tlachtli. The losing team would be sacrificed. Independence Day Facts

In certain parts of Mexico, artists can pay taxes with their paintings. Independence Day Facts

On the Tuesday before Lent, the town of San Juan de la Vega celebrates their saint (John the Baptist) by strapping explosives to sledgehammers and then slamming them into the ground. Independence Day Facts