Who were the original native people of Mexico?

When most people think about the Indigenous people of Mexico, they think of the Aztecs and Mayans. But the Aztec Empire only ruled over eight of the current 32 states of Mexico and the Mayans inhabited only five states of present-day Mexico.

What indigenous people lived in Mexico before the Spanish arrived?

Many matured into advanced pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations such as the: Olmec, Izapa, Teotihuacan, Maya, Zapotec, Mixtec, Huastec, Purépecha, Totonac, Toltec, and Aztec, which flourished for nearly 4,000 years before the first contact with Europeans.

Were there any native people in Mexico at the time of exploration?

The first written records of the region were made by the Spanish conquistadors, who encountered Native American pueblos when they explored the area in the 16th century. Ethnically, New Mexico’s [population consists of a mixture of Native Americans, Hispanics, and Anglos.

Where do Mexican natives come from?

“Today, the majority of Mexicans are admixed and can trace their ancestry back not only to indigenous groups but also to Europe and Africa,” the researchers wrote.

Who occupied Mexico before the Spanish?

The Aztec Empire was the last great civilization prior to the arrival of the Spanish. They came into power in 1325 and ruled until 1521. In 1521, Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztecs and Mexico became a Spanish colony. For 300 years Spain ruled the land until the early 1800s.

What percentage of Mexico is of Spanish descent?

According to CIA World Factbook, whites make up 10\% of Mexico’s population. The Encyclopædia Britannica states those of predominantly European descent make up closer to one-sixth (≈17\%) of the Mexican population.

Were there Mexican Apache tribes?

They’re known as Apaches, and they don’t just live in the United States. They have homes and communities in the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Sonora, northern Durango, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas. That, although in Mexico, Apaches do not officially exist.

Who ruled Mexico before the Aztecs?

Mexico was the home to many great civilizations including the Olmec, the Maya, the Zapotec, and the Aztec. For over 3000 years before the Europeans arrived these civilizations flourished. The Olmec civilization lasted from 1400 to 400 BC followed by the rise of the Maya culture.