FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2024-188

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (October 4, 2024) – In this edition of Fun with Maps we celebrate the Republic of Mexico and its constitution.   

South of the Border

Mexico became a republic 200 years ago today, on October 4, 1824, with the enactment of its first constitution.

The area has been inhabited by humans for about ten thousand years.  The early folks managed to cultivate maize/corn, tomato and beans.  Subsequently they turned from hunter gatherers to sedentary farmers about five thousand years ago.  An interesting base 20 numeric system was developed – I guess, adding toes to base 10 fingers.

The two most notable early civilizations are the Mayans and the Aztecs.  The former built magnificent temples plus believed in human sacrifices and the latter ruled a vast empire from Mexico to Chile.

All was changed in 1521 with the Spanish conquest.

Mexico became a regional power by the late 1700s ruling a territory from much of central America to today’s California and Texas.  But then Mexico lost Texas to separation and much of today’s US southwest by being on the losing side of the Mexican-American war.

Today Mexico has about 130 million inhabitants and has the 12th largest global economy, as measured by GDP.

Colton created this map of Mexico in 1854.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.