WWCPJ: Mexico !

Apologies for the delay but this spotlight entry is finally out! As you all know, in line with the Worldwide Cosplayer Photo Journey Project, I will write a spotlight article on the participator's country. I've worked really really long on this entry so I hope you guys will like it=)

    

   

Mexico, (pronounced ⁱ /ˈmɛksɪkoʊ/; Spanish: México [ˈmexiko] ( listen)), officially known as the United Mexican States, is a federalconstitutional republic in North America.  Covering almost 2 million square kilometres (over 760,000 sq mi), Mexico is the fifth-largest country in the Americas by total area and the 14th largest independent nation in the world. With an estimated population of 111 million,  it is the 11th most populous country and the most populous Hispanophone country on Earth. Mexico is a federation comprising thirty-one states and a Federal District, the capital city.

Mexico boasts a long tradition in the arts, renowned cuisine, and culture, and it ranks fifth in the world and first in the Americas on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites with 31. The national flower of Mexico is Dahlia.

  

 

 

^{Mexico has a very long and interesting history where many pre-Columbian Mesoamercian civilisation such as: the Olmec, the Teotihuacan, the Maya, the Zapotec, the Mixtec, the Toltec and the Aztec thrived in. Campfire remains in the Valley of Mexico have been radiocarbon-dated to 21,000 BCE, and a few chips of stone tools have been found near the hearths, indicating the presence of humans at that time. Like woah, that’s like MANY MANY MANY years ago o.o}

Archaeological sites of Chichén-Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World

 
Mexico is also a country with a rich political history which I will skip for now as I want to avoid any political debate ^^;  I’m not much of a history student so I think its best I don't write things I know nothing of.
 


FOOD
Mexican cuisine is known for its varied flavors, colorful decoration, variety of spices and ingredients, many of which are native to the country.  

  

The staples of Mexican cuisine are typically corn and beans. After corn, rice is the most common grain in Mexican cuisine. Corn, traditionally Mexico's staple grain, is eaten fresh, on the cob, and as a component of a number of dishes. Most corn, however, is used to make masa, a dough for tamales, tortillas, gorditas, and many other corn-based foods. Squash and peppers also play important roles in Mexican cuisine.

LOL I’m very amused by how the text in the corn cartoon fits the text so well xD

    

The most important and frequently used spices in Mexican cuisine are chili powder, cumin, oregano,cilantro, epazote, cinnamon, and cocoa. Chipotle, a smoke-dried jalapeño chili, is also common in Mexican cuisine. Many Mexican dishes also contain garlic and onions.
 
 

The word "chocolate" originates in Mexico's Aztec cuisine, derived from the Nahuatl word xocolatl. Chocolate was first drunk rather than eaten. It was used as currency and for religious rituals. In the past, the Maya civilization grew cacao trees and used the cacao seeds it produced to make a frothy, bitter drink.The drink, called xocoatl, and was often flavored with vanilla, chili pepper, and achiote (also known as annatto). Chocolate was also an important luxury good throughout pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and cacao beans were often used as currency. Today chocolate is used in a wide array of Mexican foods, from savory dishes such as chicken mole to traditional Mexican style hot chocolate and champurrados, both of which are prepared with a molinillo.
 
 
TERRAIN & CLIMATE


 
Mexico is located at about 23° N and 102° W in the southern portion of North America. Almost all of Mexico lies in the North American Plate, with small parts of the Baja California peninsula on the Pacific and Cocos Plates.
It is on a mountainous terrain with 4 mountain range within it.

  

The Tropic of Cancer effectively divides the country into temperate and tropical zones. Land north of the twenty-fourth parallel experiences cooler temperatures during the winter months. South of the twenty-fourth parallel, temperatures are fairly constant year round and vary solely as a function of elevation. This gives Mexico one of the world's most diverse weather systems. Now, I never knew a country could do that D:
Many large cities in Mexico are located in the Valley of Mexico or in adjacent valleys with altitudes generally above 2,000 m (6,562 ft). This gives them a year-round temperate climate with yearly temperature averages (from 16 to 18 °C or 60.8 to 64.4 °F) and cool nighttime temperatures throughout the year. Seriously, what wouldn’t we sweaty Singaporeans give to experience that!
And because of its diverse climate, I guess mexicans or travellers there also seem to have a bigger variety of lifestyle to choose from. The winter view looks so beautiful T_T Why doesn’t Singapore snow???!!!!

 

Photos of Teotihuacan,

Due to its long history and Mesoamerica history, many gorgeous and astounding archaeological remains can be found in Mexico.

 Calakmul

The long and rich history of the indigenous tribe/civilisation can be a little blood shrivelling to read. But the drastic cultural difference of the tribe from our modern conception, I admit, is immensely captivating and alluring to read. I’ve already watched 4 different documentaries of it xD

 

Sonora (Spanish pronunciation: [soˈnoɾa]) is a state in northwestern Mexico with an area of 182,052 square kilometers (70,291 sq mi). Sonora is the second largest state in land-mass in Mexico with 184.934 square kilometers.
Year round sunshine, moderate temperatures, beautiful beaches and relatively inexpensive cost of travel make Sonora, Mexico, the Mexican state located to the south of Arizona, an ideal destination.
 

Cosplays!

And of course I’m not gonna miss out this part. Much thanks to of course, Hiroky, for providing me with so much Mexican Cosplay websites to browse through. I’m sure what I have here barely scratches even the tip of the iceberg but hope you guys enjoy it anyway^_^ Click the names and link back to the original creator if you like their photos!

ExpoTNT is the official convention where Mexico’s WCS representatives are selected. It is usually held at Mexico City, which is the capital of Mexico.

 

Awesome cosplay at the World Cosplay Summit 2008

The Mexican Team also won the special “Brother” Award in 2007!
MUch thanks to Hiroky for highlighting this, WCS’s official website is such an as* to browse its hard to dig any information -_-

http://www.patycosplay.com/
According to Hiroky, Paty is a mexican cosplayer that not only cosplays but also does a lot of cosplay event coverage too. Of course as you can see, she’s good at both ^_^. Visit her website for more event reports and pictures, Paty has an awesomely long list of Event Coverage articles at this page. And wow, Mexico has A LOT of events O_O!

Some lovely photos from Paty =)

  

And the photo pimps continues xD

Photo By el_mas_lucas

Does another knows what character is that extreme right doing? It looks like some American comic but feel free to correct me =)!

Photo By manganimex1

 
Photo By verzerk

Love the way the photographer edit the colours. They look so muted yet strong

 
Photo By antonio_jimenez

The costume looks uncomftable but she looks like a figurine in the 2nd picture!

 
Photo By Cosplay photographer 

Photo By El_Masta

  Photos By Elias con acento en la "i"

Photo By DrKowalsky

Cosplay Links:
http://thecosplayworld.com
http://www.idolcosplay.com
http://www.concomics.com/
http://hirokycosplay.blogspot.com/ (Hiroky’s Cosplay Blog)
http://hirokychan.com/
http://cosplaysonora.blogspot.com/ ( Official Cosplay site for Sonora, Hiroky is part of the organising team too ^_^! )
http://world-cosplay-summit.deviantart.com/gallery/24999369
http://www.kosupure.com.mx/

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*Exhales deeply* I never knew Mexico had such a long, deep, intriguing and fascinating history! All the mysteries of the lost civilisations, their alarmingly advanced architectural skills and knowledge in astrology  and of course, their allegiance to their gods.

All these made Mexico looks so amazing to me and I look forward to one day be able to see those breath taking architectures myself. In fact, I’ve watched like 4 different documentaries already =X



I’m also ashamed of my ignorance about the country. I always thought Mexico was a middle sized country with a tropical climate (WTH made me think that way?! Its obviously not within the tropical region! *Palms forehead* ) , everyone either wears a big round hat or a colourful poncho while munching on a Taco

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Oh yes, and play the Ukulele all day all night.……*Long Pause* ………………………..Oh come on guys, comment and tell me I’m not alone on this silly stereotyping >.

On the bright side, this proves that Cosplay can be educational too :D  

Ah, I digressed yet again. I’m sorry I focused so much on the history, heritage and cultural side of Mexico than its Cosplay community. But the land of the Mexicans just seemed to offer so much for me to talk about, its hard not to veer the attention away xD.

Hope you guys enjoyed the entry and remember to leave me a comment! I feed on them xD
 
Bibilography Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico
http://www.visitmexico.com/wb/Visitmexico/Visi_Destinos_Turisticos?show=destinies
http://www.lamole.com.mx/ (Mexico City, the capital)
http://www.gotosonora.com/ (Sonora, Hiroky’s state)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonora
http://www.thenogaleschamber.com/Portal/VisitingMexico/SonoraDestinations/tabid/106/Default.aspx (Sonora travel site)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_the_Americas#Mexico_.2831.29