Fascinating Facts About Mexico
By Alejandro Guevara Onofre
DID YOU KNOW...
Mexico is famous for its singers.A number of Mexican singers have gained
worldwide fame.They include Paulina Rubio, Thalia, Luis Miguel,Emmnauel, Ana
Gabriel, Alejandra Gúzman, Isabel Vargas Lizano,Gloria Trevi, José José and
Armando Manzanero.
DID YOU KNOW...
The Mexican painter Frida Kahlo was "re-discovered" by the historian and writer
Haydeen Herrera. In 1983, in the United States, Haydeen Herrera published a book
called "Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo". Like Eva Duarte de Perón (ex-First
Lady of Argentina), Frida Kahlo is one of the most famous women in the world
since 1983.
DID YOU KNOW...
Between 1940 and 1958, Mexico became the centre of the international film
industry. Great stars of the golden era of the cinematography of Mexico included
Jorge Negrete, who was famous as a gentleman, and the actress Dolores del Río.
The great actor, Pedro Infante, also started his career in the golden era of the
cinema of Mexico. The most popular film of 1942, "El Peñon de las Animas",
starring María Félix and Jorge Negrete, was one of the most successful films in
Mexico and Latin America. However, films critics often choose the 1975 film
"Letters from Marusia", as the best film ever.
DID YOU KNOW...
Dolores del Río was a Mexican motion-picture actress.Her great beauty made her a
world-famous sex symbol.She was born in Durango,Mexico.
DID YOU KNOW...
Certainly, Mexico is one of the world's exotic countries. It is known for its
heritage of the amazing pyramids built by Aztecs and Mayas. The Latin American
country is famous for its traditions, culture ecology and beaches. There are
excellent beaches for relaxing, swimming and sailing. The Cancun beach is one of
the most popular travel destinations of the Mexican Caribbean.
DID YOU KNOW...
The 1990 Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to Octavio Paz, a novelist and
essayist. He was the fifth Latin-American to receive the prize.Octavio Paz was
the literary patriarch of Mexico.
DID YOU KNOW...
The Acapulco Convention Center is one of the main concert and performance
centers in the world.
DID YOU KNOW...
Gael García Bernal is probably the most popular Latin-American actor since 1959.
He has been called "The Latin James Dean". However, he does not see himself as a
"sex symbol".Gael said to the media in Beverly Hills, California, "There
thousands of "Latin James Deans".There are always going to be new "Marlon
Brandos" and new "James Deans". That´s why the statement no longer has any
importance. Besides, I feel that James Dean´s movies are totally different from
mine. And, Well, to begin with, I don´t have enough money to buy a Porsche..."
Gael García Bernal was born on November 30, 1978, in Guadalajara, Jalisco
(Mexico), the son of Jose Angel and Patricia Bernal de García. He once said: "I
spent a lot of time with my parents. They did not have anyone at home to take
care of me, so I had to go everywhere with them. I traveled a lot in Mexico and
also to Cuba. I was a lot of fun".
His movie credits include: "Love`s a Bitch" (2000), "The Crime of Father Amaro"
(2002), "And your Mother Too" (2001), "I´m with Lucy" (2002), "Dot the I"
(2003), "Dreaming of Julia" (2003), "Bad Education" (2004), "The Motorcycle
Diaries" (2004), "The King" ( 2005), "Babel" (2006), and "The Science of Sleep"
(2006).
In addition to Spanish, Gael speaks English, French and Italian.
DID YOU KNOW...
Mexico is a study in contrasts.Bustling modern places with all the latest
amenities are surrounded by mountains and rainforest.
DID YOU KNOW...
The Mexican people have many idols: María Félix (actress), Frida Kahlo
(painter), Mario Moreno( best known as "Cantinflas"), Rufino Tamayo (painter),
Diego Rivera (painter), Agustin Lara (composer), Carlos Fuentes (writer), Thalia
(singer), Juan Gabriel (composer and singer), José Clemente Orozco (painter),
Juan Rulfo (writer), José Vasconcelos (writer), Kathy Jurado (actress),
Guadalupe Jones Garay (Miss Universe 1991),Jorge Negrete (actor), Pedro Infante
(actor) and Lucía Méndez (actress).
DID YOU KNOW...
On November 26, 1985, Rodolfo Neri Vela. was the second Latin- American
astronaut to fly in space. He was ready for his first space mission in 1985
aboard the space shuttle Atlantis. Rodolfo was born on February 19, 1952, in
Chilpancingo, Mexico.
DID YOU KNOW...
María Félix was an actress who starred in popular Mexican films such as "El
Peñon de las Animas", "La China Poblana", "Doña Barbara" and "La
Generala".Undoubtebly the most beautiful actress in the history. María de los
Ángeles Félix Güereña, always called "La doña" or María Félix, was born on April
8, 1914, in Alamos, Sonora (Mexico). She died on April 8,2000, in Mexico City.
Certainly, she was an international celebrity.
She was long considered one of the most beautiful women in the 20th century,
arguably, one of the best actresses in Latin America, Spain, Italy and France.If
she had spoken English very well, María Félix will be remembered as the best
actress of the world.
Different from María Montez and Rita Moreno, María Félix did not accept small
roles in Hollywood. She once said: "I was not born to carry a basket".Like Pele
(Brazilian ex-footballer player) and Carlos Gardel (Argentinian singer), María
Félix is a symbol in Latin America.
DID YOU KNOW...
Mexico has had many famous athletes in the past century: Raul González (track
and field), Joaquín Capilla (diving), Carlos Girón (diving), Hugo Sánchez
(soccer),José Youshimatz (cycling), Bernardo Segura (track and field),Héctor
López (boxing), Juan Paredes (boxing) ,Humberto Mariles (equestrian), Felipe
Muñoz (swimming), Raúl Ramírez (tennis), Rafael Osuna Herrera (tennis), Ernesto
Canto (track and field), Arturo Barrios (track and field),Daniel Bautista (track
and field) and Olegario Vázquez (shooting).
DID YOU KNOW...
Elsa Benítez is a supermodel from Mexico. She was born on December 8, 1977, in
Hermosillo, Sonora (Mexico). Ironically, she looks like European supermodel.
Like Alek Wek (Sudan) and Fernanda Tavares (Brazil), she works in the United
States and Europe. Elsa Benítez was the cover girl for Sports Illustrated´s
Swimsuit Issue 2001.
DID YOU KNOW...
Dafne Molina Lona was among the few Mexican entering the finals of any
international beauty pageant.She almost won the Miss World pageant in 2005.She
was a national celebrity when she returned to China after the competition.She
was in the hands of Lupita Jones, who is the President of Nuestra Belleza (or
Miss Mexico).Dafne was born in Mexico City.
ALEJANDRO GUEVARA ONOFRE:
Alejandro Guevara Onofre: He is a freelance writer. Alejandro is of Italian,
African and Peruvian ancestry.He´ve studied political science and journalism. He
has published more than seventy-five research paper in English, and more than
twenty in Spanish, concerning the world issues, olympic sports, countries, and
tourism. His next essay is called "The Dictator and Alicia Alonso". He is an
expert on foreign affairs. Furthermore, Alejandro is the first author who has
published a world-book encyclopedia in Latina America.
He admires Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter), Hillary Clinton (ex-First Lady of the
USA), and Jimmy Carter (former President of the USA). His favorite film is
"Gorillas in the Mist". Some of his favorite books are "The Return of Eva Peron
and the Killings in Trinidad" (by V.S.Naipaul), "Las Mujeres de los Dictadores"
(by Juan Gasparini) and "Murder of a Gentle Land" (by John Barron and Anthony
Paul). His personal motto is "The future is for those people who believe in the
beauty of their dreams" by Eleanor Roosevelt.