People
Frida Kahlo
Coyoacán, Mexico City, Mexico
Born and long based at the Casa Azul in Coyoacán, she is known for vivid self-portraits that draw on Mexican folk art, identity and personal pain.
Lived: 1907–1954 · Known for: Painter
Mexico: leaders, famous people, culture and history
15 places on the atlas covering people, history, architecture, culture, festivals, folklore and crafts. Highlights include Frida Kahlo, Templo Mayor, Chichén Itzá and Tacos al pastor.
See Mexico on the map Etiquette guide
What is on the atlas
- People Frida Kahlo, Salma Hayek, Cantinflas and Saúl Álvarez
- History Templo Mayor and Teotihuacan
- Architecture Chichén Itzá
- Culture Tacos al pastor
- Festivals Day of the Dead and Guelaguetza
- Folklore La Llorona and Mariachi
- Crafts Talavera pottery, Alebrijes and Barro negro pottery
Who leads Mexico?
| President (head of state and government) | Claudia Sheinbaum |
|---|
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check Mexico’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from Mexico
- Frida Kahlo painter
- Diego Rivera muralist
- Benito Juarez president and reformer
- Octavio Paz Nobel-winning poet
- Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz poet and scholar
- Emiliano Zapata revolutionary leader
- Pancho Villa revolutionary general
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
Etiquette tips for Mexico
- Greeting A handshake or, among friends, a hug or cheek kiss. Greet everyone when entering a room.
- Dining A host may offer food repeatedly. Compliment the meal. Lunch is the main meal.
- Time Social gatherings start later than stated; business meetings are more on time.
People in Mexico
People
Salma Hayek
Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico
She began in Mexican television, moved to Hollywood, and was nominated for an Academy Award for playing the artist Frida Kahlo.
Born: 1966 · Known for: Actress and producer
People
Cantinflas
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico's best-loved comedian of the golden age of cinema, he was admired for his fast, rambling wordplay, and Charlie Chaplin called him the best comedian alive.
Lived: 1911–1993 · Known for: Comic actor
People
Saúl Álvarez
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Known as Canelo, he became the undisputed super middleweight champion and one of the biggest names in modern boxing.
Born: 1990 · Known for: Boxer
History in Mexico
History
Templo Mayor
Mexico City, Mexico
The ruins of the main temple of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan lie in the middle of modern Mexico City.
Period: 14th–16th century
History
Teotihuacan
State of Mexico, Mexico
One of the largest cities in the ancient Americas, laid out along the Avenue of the Dead with the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon.
Period: c. 100 BCE – 550 CE
Architecture in Mexico
Architecture
Chichén Itzá
Yucatán, Mexico
The pyramid called El Castillo is aligned so that a serpent-shaped shadow appears on its stairway during the equinoxes.
Built: c. 600–1200 CE · Style: Maya and Toltec
Culture in Mexico
Culture
Tacos al pastor
Mexico City, Mexico
Tacos al pastor developed in Mexico City from Lebanese immigrants' shawarma traditions, adapted with local chillies and pineapple.
Tradition: Spit-roasted pork on corn tortillas
Festivals in Mexico
Festivals
Day of the Dead
Oaxaca, Mexico
Families build altars with photographs, marigolds, food and candles to welcome the spirits of the dead. It is a joyful remembrance rather than a sad occasion.
Usually: 1–2 November · Theme: Remembering loved ones · Months: November
Festivals
Guelaguetza
Oaxaca, Mexico
Delegations from Oaxaca's regions perform traditional dances in colourful dress and share local products with the audience.
Usually: July · Theme: Regional dance showcase · Months: July
Folklore in Mexico
Folklore
La Llorona
Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico
The Weeping Woman is said to wander near waterways at night, mourning her lost children. Versions of the story are told across Latin America and the US Southwest.
Kind: Legend
Folklore
Mariachi
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Bands of violins, trumpets and guitars in charro outfits from western Mexico. The tradition is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Kind: Folk music ensemble
Crafts in Mexico
Crafts
Talavera pottery
Puebla, Mexico
Puebla's tin-glazed pottery, painted in bold blues and other colours, is recognised on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Craft: Glazed ceramics
Crafts
Alebrijes
San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca, Mexico
Villagers in Oaxaca carve copal wood into fantastical animals and paint them in vivid patterns.
Craft: Carved and painted wooden figures
Crafts
Barro negro pottery
San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca, Mexico
Potters shape clay by hand, polish it with a quartz stone and fire it in a smoky kiln, giving it a shiny black finish.
Craft: Black burnished pottery
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead Mexico today, a short selection of well-known people from Mexico, and the 15 places pinned for Mexico on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see Mexico on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the people page, history page, architecture page, culture page, festivals page, folklore page and crafts page.
Questions about Mexico
Who is the leader of Mexico?
As of July 2026: President (head of state and government): Claudia Sheinbaum. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from Mexico?
Well-known people connected with Mexico include Frida Kahlo (painter), Diego Rivera (muralist), Benito Juarez (president and reformer), Octavio Paz (Nobel-winning poet) and Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (poet and scholar).
Which famous people from Mexico are pinned on the atlas?
People pinned for Mexico include Frida Kahlo, Salma Hayek, Cantinflas and Saúl Álvarez. Open the map to read a short summary of each.
What festivals are celebrated in Mexico?
Festivals on the atlas for Mexico include Day of the Dead and Guelaguetza. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What are famous landmarks and buildings in Mexico?
Notable buildings and sites in Mexico on the atlas include Chichén Itzá. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What are important historical places in Mexico?
Historical places in Mexico on the atlas include Templo Mayor and Teotihuacan. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What traditional crafts is Mexico known for?
Traditional crafts from Mexico on the atlas include Talavera pottery, Alebrijes and Barro negro pottery. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What food and customs is Mexico known for?
Food and customs from Mexico on the atlas include Tacos al pastor. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What folklore and music does Mexico have?
Folklore and music from Mexico on the atlas include La Llorona and Mariachi. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore Mexico on the map?
Choose See Mexico on the map above, or search for Mexico on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.
What etiquette should visitors know in Mexico?
Greeting: A handshake or, among friends, a hug or cheek kiss. Greet everyone when entering a room. Dining: A host may offer food repeatedly. Compliment the meal. Lunch is the main meal. These are general customs, not legal advice.