The height of Mayan civilization may have ended some 1600 years ago, but this enigmatic empire seem to be making a come-back. This coming Friday, December 8th, movie theaters across North America will release Mel Gibson’s much-anticipated feature, Apocalypto, filmed in Mexico, bringing the late, great Mayan civilization to life on the big screen.

For centuries, the world has been mystified and intrigued by this unique culture. Considered one of the greatest civilizations of all time, and regarded as the most outstanding intellects of ancient Mexico, the Mayans were a cutting edge society, incredibly enlightened for their time. Not only were the Mayans an incredibly advanced civilization much like the Greeks, but their legacy also remains today in areas that spread from Central Mexico to Honduras, similarly to the Greeks legacy which has transgressed the tests of time.

Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto is entirely in the Yucatec Maya language and the cast consists of local indigenous Mayan actors. Filmed in Veracruz, Mexico, the movie depicts ancient Mayan life and also connotes to the Mayan prophecy, “Fin de los Tiempos”, in which they prophesized that the world would end its 5,200-year fourth and current cycle on the winter solstice of December 21, 2012. Cycles play a huge role in the Mayan culture and a great amount of their time was spent studying astronomical rotations and synchronicity to human events.

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Mexico’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site highlights the plant and culture behind the tequila spirit

MEXICO CITY, July 18, 2006 — The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recently named the agave landscape and ancient industrial facilities in the town of Tequila a World Heritage Site. Ranked first in the Americas and eighth worldwide in this regard, Mexico now has 26 sites recognized for their historical, cultural and natural importance.

The region designated a World Heritage Site is located between the foothills of the Tequila Volcano and the deep valley of the Rio Grande River in Jalisco State. This area not only grows the fields of blue agave that produce the tequila spirit, but also houses the large distilleries where the agave “pineapple” is fermented and distilled.

Mexico’s newest World Heritage Site comprises the urban settlements of Tequila, Arenal, and Amatitan, including the region’s fields, distilleries, factories (both active and not), tabernas (distilleries that were illegal under Spanish rule), the towns and Teuchitlan archaeological sites. The property includes numerous haciendas, some of which date back to the 18th century.

The architecture of both the factories and haciendas is characterized by brick and adobe construction, plastered walls with ochre lime-wash, stone arches, quoins and window dressings, and formal, neo-classical or baroque ornamentation.

Tequila’s World Heritage Site also comprises archaeological sites left by the Teuchitlan culture. This culture influenced the Tequila region from 200 to 900 A.D. through the creation of terraces for agriculture, housing, temples, ceremonial mounds and ball courts.

Uniquely Mexican, Tequila is renowned worldwide
The cultural influence of blue agave is felt both in Mexico and abroad, and is the reason why UNESCO has named the landscape and industrial facilities in Tequila a World Heritage Site. Used to produce tequila since the 16th century, the impact of blue agave in Mexico has such deep roots that today its culture considered part of the national identity.

Many visitors who travel to Mexico tour several leading distilleries to learn about tequila’s history and production. To experience the agave-inspired cultural, visitors can travel to Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco State and Mexico’s second-largest city. From there, they can ride the Tequila Express, a four-car train ferrying passengers northwest 55 miles to the town of Tequila and back the same day. Passengers learn how tequila is made, and are served all the tequila drinks they desire. For more information on the tours, visit www.tequilaexpress.com.mx.

To read a complete backgrounders on tequila and Mexico’s other UNESCO World Heritage Sites, visit www.visitmexicopress.com.

About the Mexico Tourism Board
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico’s tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico’s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

GET IN THE RING WITH NACHO LIBRE
Filmed in Oaxaca, Jack Black’s new movie about a Mexican “luchador” provides a glimpse of popular culture south of the border

MEXICO CITY, June 16, 2006 — Hollywood funny man Jack Black’s new movie, Nacho Libre, which portrays the wild world of Mexican wrestling, was shot on location in Mexico’s Pacific coastal state of Oaxaca. As audiences enjoy the comedic adventures of Nacho, the main character, they will also learn about Mexican popular culture and take in the breathtaking views of Oaxaca.

Nacho Libre’s storyline revolves around lucha libre, as Mexican wrestling is called. Black plays a monastery cook who, seeking to provide better-quality food for the children in the monastery-run orphanage, defies rules and becomes a luchador, or wrestler.

In Mexico, lucha libre is a community event that transcends generations. Old women, children and strong men unite to cheer on their favorite luchador, whose identity is always hidden by a mask and character-driven costume. The luchadors are divided into two camps: the técnicos (good guys) and rudos (bad guys), adding drama and moral lessons to the acrobatic flips that entertain the loyal followers.

On the scene in Oaxaca
Movie goers love Jack Black, and Jack Black loves Oaxaca. “Oaxaca is gorgeous. It has ancient pyramids, amazing architecture, and a rich flavor that adds to the whole experience. I don’t think there’s ever been a comedy with as many beautiful backdrops before as we have in this film,” Black is quoted as saying on the movie’s Web site, www.nacholibre.com.

It’s no wonder that Oaxaca struck such a chord with the film’s star. The state’s diverse landscape and beautiful beaches, colonial charm and strong indigenous culture have made it Mexico’s next hot spot. Oaxaca even won Travel + Leisure’s 2005 World’s Best Awards as the best travel destination city in Latin America

Oaxaca (pronounced “Wah-HA-Ca”) scenery ranges from the mountain ranges of Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre del Sur to lush central valleys. Among its most famous beach destinations are the cities of Huatulco and Puerto Escondido, whose jade-green waters provide a haven for both surfers and lovers of secluded beaches.

Oaxaca City is the state’s capital and is one of the largest cities in Mexico’s southern region. Its colonial charm has remained intact and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Among the many handicrafts found in Oaxaca, barro negro (black clay pottery) is one of the most popular, representing a tradition that dates back to prehispanic times and spans generations. Another popular handicraft in Oaxaca is the colorful alebrije, creatively hand-carved or paper mache figures, usually depicting monsters and hand-painted.

The regional cuisine is also an important aspect of Oaxacan life, as the state is famous for its mole (a sauce made containing over 20 different spices) and the native types of chiles.

Learn lucha libre from the pros!
If, after watching Nacho Libre, your mind goes back to the masks, tights and back flips rather than the Oaxacan scenery, why not incorporate a lucha libre lesson into your next vacation to Mexico?

The art of wrestling is continuously taught at the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (Council of World Wrestling) in Mexico City by experienced wrestlers. For approximately US$30 per month, you can learn from the best, develop your own character, and experience Mexican popular culture like few others have. For more information, call 011-5255-5588-1569 or visit www.cmll.com.

About the Mexico Tourism Board
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico’s tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico’s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.