How much do you know about Mexico? A trivia for curious travelers

Mexico is one of those countries you never finish getting to know: it has jungles and deserts, pyramids and colonial cities, dozens of languages and a cuisine that is part of humanity’s heritage. How much do you know about it? Answer these ten questions and find out whether you are a curious traveler or a true expert.

The questions

1. On what day is Mexico’s Independence celebrated?
a) May 5 · b) September 16 · c) November 20 · d) December 12

2. How many federal entities does Mexico have?
a) 28 · b) 30 · c) 32 · d) 36

3. Which of these foods is NOT native to Mexico and Mesoamerica?
a) Corn · b) Cacao · c) Vanilla · d) Coffee

4. How many Indigenous languages are officially recognized in Mexico?
a) 12 · b) 30 · c) 68 · d) 150

5. Which ancient city was Mexico City built on?
a) Teotihuacan · b) Tenochtitlan · c) Tula · d) Monte Alban

6. What is the highest mountain in Mexico?
a) Popocatepetl · b) Iztaccihuatl · c) Pico de Orizaba · d) Nevado de Toluca

7. Where is the largest pyramid in the world by volume?
a) Chichen Itza · b) Teotihuacan · c) Cholula · d) Palenque

8. Which state does mariachi come from?
a) Jalisco · b) Oaxaca · c) Veracruz · d) Yucatan

9. Which Mexican tradition is part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity?
a) Las posadas · b) The Day of the Dead · c) The piñata · d) Candlemas Day

10. What is the name of the Mexican hairless dog?
a) Chihuahua · b) Xoloitzcuintle · c) Calupoh · d) Chinook

The answers

1. b) September 16. In the early hours of that day in 1810, the War of Independence began with the Cry of Dolores. May 5 commemorates the Battle of Puebla.
2. c) 32. There are 31 states plus Mexico City. We go through them in the states of Mexico.
3. d) Coffee. Coffee came from Africa. Corn, cacao and vanilla, on the other hand, are gifts from Mesoamerica to the world.
4. c) 68. We tell you all about them in the Indigenous languages of Mexico.
5. b) Tenochtitlan. The Mexica capital stood on a lake, and its remains keep appearing in the city center.
6. c) Pico de Orizaba. Also called Citlaltepetl, it rises above 5,600 meters and is the country’s highest mountain.
7. c) Cholula. The Great Pyramid of Cholula, in Puebla, is the largest in the world by volume, although today it looks like a hill with a church on top.
8. a) Jalisco. Mariachi was born in western Mexico and today it is heard all over the world.
9. b) The Day of the Dead. UNESCO recognized it as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Discover how it is celebrated in our article on the Day of the Dead.
10. b) Xoloitzcuintle. It is a breed of pre-Hispanic origin, closely linked to beliefs about the journey of souls.

Your result

• 9 to 10 correct: you are a true Mexico expert.
• 6 to 8 correct: curious traveler, you are on the right track.
• 0 to 5 correct: Mexico has a lot to teach you. Start with the traditions of Mexico and the country’s World Heritage Sites.