danger

How dangerous is Mexico?

On average, it is about five times more dangerous than the ; But that is an average, and as you should all know by now, averages are not particularly robust to US has an average intentional homicide rate of approximately (per 100,000 people).  Mexico's rate is about ; That is indeed a LOT ; But it doesn't tell the whole ; Remember, that if 8 people in a town make $10,000 a year and two make $100,000 a year, the average income for the town is almost $30,000 - and clearly not representative of the situation in that ; The same is true ; In 2010, the last year I could find complete statistics for all US states and territories, there was quite a bit of Hampshire - 1Vermont - - - - ;South Carolina - - - - - of Columbia - Rico - can see there is quite…
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ancient cultures

More Ancient Cultures

When people think about ancient civilizations they usually conjure up images of ancient Greece or ; But there were civilizations in South America, like the Mayans (2000 BCE - 1500 CE), the Olmec (1500 BCE - 400 BCE) and others who had calendars, writing, arts and built temples and ball courts and astrological ; They were an advanced people that we don't hear much about, except for end of the world are a few significant South American archeological finds from the last couple of 5,000 year old temple from ;Tak'alik Ab'aj is a major archealogical site in southwest Guatemala, not too far from the Mexican ; It has both Mayan and Olmec influences and is one of the largest archeological sites in Central America and was probably occupied from 1000 BCE to about 1500 ; It has (as far as I can tell): 9 terracesa water system of channels bringing…
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kemps

The Herrera film

In 1880 Samuel Garman reported a new species of sea turtle he called Thalassochelys kempii (now called Lepidochelys kempii).  A fisherman from Florida named Richard M. Kemp had brought Garman two specimens of a turtle known as the "bastard" turtle because it was thought by locals to be a cross between a loggerhead and green sea ; Garman decided that "in consideration of the great interest Mr. Kemp takes in matters pertaining to natural history, it is most appropriate that the species he has been the means of bringing into notice should bear his name" and thus gave this newly described species the common name of "Kemp's Gulf Turtle".  The current generally accepted English common name is "Kemp's ridley"; and it is "tortuga lora" in Garman, from ;Kemp noted to Garman that "The Bastard Turtle are ; We know that they come on the beach to lay in the months…
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Son Jarocho

The state of Veracruz has a centuries old rich multi-cultural history with European influence going back to the first Spanish explorations of the Central America.  Founded in 1519 by Cortez as "Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz" ( the rich village of the true cross), the city of Veracruz was the major Spanish port in Central America for centuries and it was through this city that nearly all Atlantic commerce flowed.  Because of this, Veracruz has strong Caribbean, European, and African influences that combine with its indigenous traditions to create a unique culture.  This amalgam is easily seen in the music of Veracruz, son jarocho.  It is characterized by the arpa jarocho (a style of harp particular to the region), the jarana (a small instrument that, to me, appears to be a cross between a mandolin, ukelele and banjo - it  has 8 strings in 5 courses and has an…
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ancient cultures

Ancient Cultures

      Veracruz is home to an impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site. El Tajín was a flourishing city by 600 CE and was home to approximately 50 different ; The city is believed to span at least 2,500 acres, only about 50% of which has been ; There have been residences, governmental offices, seventeen ball courts, and many other buildings unearthed representing a sprawling city of nearly 100,000 residents at its ; The most well known of the buildings is the Pyramid of the Niches, pictured ;     They pyramid has 365 niches, thought to represent the solar ; It isn't clear exactly who built the pyramid but the Totonac and Huasteca people are thought to be the most ; The Totonac people are well known for their association with the Danza de los Voladores, an ancient ritual that was once widespread in ; Famed Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera, depicted the Voladores…
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