The States of Mexico: A Reference Guide to History and Culture - Hardcover

"This well-produced and generally authoritative guide to the history and culture of the states of the Mexican republic is best seen as a series of brief introductory essays. . . . Students and travelers looking for a brief background in English are the natural audience for this book. Public libraries and undergraduate collections would probably want to consider buying it was well." - ARBAonline

"Los Estados Unidos Mexicano, explains Standish (Hispanic studies, East Carolina U.), is made up of 31 states and the Distrito Federal. He profiles each state and district in terms of its characteristics, cultural groups and languages, history, economics, arts, social customs, noteworthy places, and cuisine. He says that in some places, the indigenous peoples are highly integrated into the mainstream culture, and their traditional practices have become hybridized with Hispanic ones, but in many places people preserve their own customs and languages--over 60 spoken--in relative isolation. A chronology and a few monochrome photographs are included." - Reference & Research Book News

..".After an introductory survey history, Standish covers each of the 31 Mexican states plus the Distrito Federal (Mexico City). Each chapter contains sections covering 'State Characteristics' (physical, administrative, and demographic), 'Cultural Groups and Languages, ' 'History, ' 'Economy, ' 'Arts, ' 'Social Customs, ' 'Noteworthy Places, ' and 'Cuisine, ' including several recipes. The writing is accessible and should be easy for high-school students to read. A glossary, a selected print bibliography of English-language titles, and an index complete the work. ...Whereas Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Mexican States (2d ed., 2007) is designed for a middleschool audience and up, older students should find The States of Mexico useful, and it is recommended for high-school and undergraduate collections as well as larger public libraries." - Booklist

"It is brief enough to provide a point of departure and well written enough to encourage further exploration. Summing Up: Recommended. Libraries with large reference collections serving lower-level undergraduates or general readers." - Choice

..".a detailed but consistent geographical survey that will serve audiences in high school, public and undergraduate libraries." - Lawrence Looks at Books

This is a one-stop resource for the most important information on the history, culture, places of interest, cuisine, and more of each of the 32 states of Mexico. Mexico comprises 32 diverse states, and this reference book is the first to succinctly profile each. Each chapter is devoted to one of the states and provides a contemporary snapshot of the most important information to know about the state, with essay sections on its characteristics, flora and fauna, cultural groups and languages, history, economy, social customs, arts, noteworthy places, and cuisine with representative recipes. Familiar and noteworthy names in Mexican culture are highlighted in the applicable sections. The format is perfect for students studying Spanish, and travellers and general readers wanting a different angle from that provided in guidebooks and more authoritativeness than they can offer. This book covers everything from the pulsating metropolis of Mexico City to the jungle isolation found in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Considering the huge political, social, and economic focus on Mexico and the number of Mexican immigrants worldwide, it would be beneficial for everyone to know more about Mexico and the homeland of these new immigrants. A map and photo accompany each chapter, and the volume contains a chronology, glossary, and selected bibliography.