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The Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex and research organization, is devoted to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. With this broad mission, the Smithsonian has become a global center of research for a wide range of disciplines, including history, science and the arts. Given this focus, it is not surprising that Mexico, with its rich heritage and incredible natural diversity, would be the subject of Smithsonian research. Below you will find a small taste of some of the many initiatives at the Smithsonian studying the unique Mexican people and land.
The Smithsonian Latino Center celebrates Latino culture, spirit, and achievement in America by facilitating the development of exhibitions, research, collections, and educational programs at the Smithsonian and its affiliated organizations. Established in 1997, the center is a pan-institutional unit that works with the entire network of Smithsonian museums, research centers, the National Zoo, and more than 140 affiliates nationwide, to foster understanding and appreciation of contributions made by Latinos to history, society and culture.
• To explore upcoming Latino events at Smithsonian institutions, click here.
• To explore Latino collections at the Smithsonian and affiliated museum, click here.
On March 19th, the Latino Center, in partnership with Ohio University Vital Lab and Second Life's Linden Labs, unveiled the Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum (LVM), an avatar-based 3D virtual learning environment. Through the LVM, users will be able to virtually explore Smithsonian Latino Center's world-class collections, superb scholarship, exciting programs and exhibitions.
• To explore the Smithsonian Latino center virtually through Second Life, click here.
The Maya are one of the most vibrant and storied indigenous peoples of Mexico. However, despite their rich heritage, the Maya have faced centuries of repression and injustice. In "Unmasking the Maya", the Smithsonian Department of Anthropology follows the story of the Sna Jtz'ibajom, a traveling cooperative celebrating Maya traditions while unmasking bitter realities of the modern Maya world.
The Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program (GVP), an initiative of the National Museum of Natural History's Department of Mineral Sciences, is devoted to a better understanding of the Earth's active volcanoes and their eruptions during the last 10,000 years. The GVP's Volcanoes of the World program provides an interactive map of active volcanoes across the globe. Click here to learn more about and see photos of Mexico's 43 active volcanoes!
When thinking of Mexican people, one does not usually think of persons of African descent. However, Mexico has a strong African legacy, imparted by the descendants of thousands of Africans brought as slaves by the Spanish as well as those escaping slavery in the United States. In "Africa's Legacy in Mexico", four Smithsonian essayists explore the unique influence of African culture on modern-day Mexico. Click here to read the essays and explore photos from the exhibit.
Mexico, with its expansive territory and unique geography, is a country of major biodiversity – it is home to between 10% and 12% of all living organisms on the planet, including a plethora of flowering plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, butterflies and bees. Smithsonian's Centres for Plant Diversity, a project of the Museum of Natural History's Botany Department, describes the features of Mexico's geology and climate that make it so conducive for plants and wildlife. Click here to read about Mexico's biodiversity and what's being done to conserve it.
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