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Mystery of the Monuments

Maya ruins include the magnificent city-complexes of CHICHEN ITZA and Uxmal, in the jungle of the Yucatan peninsula; PALENQUE, in CHIAPAS, is another. Maya beginnings go back to 2000 BC, but their golden age was AD 250-900. They were sophisticated mathematicians and astronomers, with an accurate calendar calculated back more than 3000 years, which took leap years into account. An observatory survives in Chichen Itza; in a carved crypt at Palenque was found the skeleton of a 7th-century ruler covered with jade jewellery - necklaces, bracelets and rings. The Mayas' hieroglyphic writing is, unfortunately, still only partly understood.

MONTE ALBAN, in OAXACA, was the capital of the Zapotec culture. Its huge main square, measuring 600 by 400 m (1970 by 1310 ft) was formed by leveling an entire hilltop. Pyramids, terraces, sculptures, tombs and staircases are dramatic evidence of how the place looked at the height of Zapotec power, in the 9th century A.D. Mexico's ancient cities once blazed with colour - vast murals, vividly decorated statues, the feathered capes and plumed headdresses of rulers, priests and warriors. Some of that colour survives in peeling frescoes, on pottery and on the fierce images of the gods they worshipped - faded now but bright enough to show why the modern Mexican still loves a bold stroke of the paintbrush, and where Rivera and his fellow artists found much of their brilliant inspiration.

MEXICO AT A GLANCE

Area 1 972 547 km2 (761 600 sq miles)

Population 81 650 000

Capital Mexico City

Government Federal republic

Currency Peso = 100 centavos

Languages Spanish, Indian languages

Religion Christian (Roman Catholic)

Climate Tropical and temperate according to altitude. Average temperature in Mexico City ranges from 6-19°C (43-66°F) in January to l2-26°C (54-79°F) in May

Main primary products Maize, sorghum, wheat, barley, rice, cotton, sugar, coffee, beans, fruits, cattle; uranium, copper, iron, coal, lead, zinc, silver, gold, oil and natural gas, aluminium, phosphates

Major industries Oil and natural gas production and refining, agriculture, mining, iron and steel, aluminium refining, vehicles, cement, machinery, textiles, pottery

Main exports Oil and gas, nonferrous ores, machinery and industrial goods, coffee, chemicals, cotton, fruit and vegetables, shrimps

Annual income per head (US$) 2090

Population growth (per thous/yr) 25

Life expectancy (yrs.) Male 64 Female 68