| The ethnic and regional diversity, as well as the | | | | Hernández and Emilio Carballido have also |
| socioeconomic divisions within the population make | | | | made significant contributions. |
| Mexico a truly culturally heterogeneous country. | | | | It would not be wrong to say that the most widely |
| Among rural people, there are strong regional affinities | | | | recognized Mexican art form is the mural, and the |
| and allegiances, often referred to as patria chica | | | | Mexican Muralist School counted among its members, |
| ("small homeland") that helps to perpetuate cultural | | | | the most powerful figures of the genre. The murals |
| diversity. The large number of extant Indian languages | | | | created by Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, |
| and customs, especially in the south, also accentuate | | | | depicting aspects of the Mexican Revolution, the |
| cultural differences. In an attempt to unite the nation | | | | nation's modernization, and class struggle, have |
| culturally by identifying a uniquely Mexican culture, the | | | | become legendary, and, among others, Rufino Tamayo |
| government has vigorously supported indigenous folk | | | | and Juan Soriano have achieved distinct stature. |
| arts and crafts as well as the European-inspired | | | | Perhaps, the most popular of Mexico's folk artists is |
| classical arts. In fact, since the 1930s, indigenismo, or | | | | José Clemente Orozco, whose animated |
| pride in the Indian heritage, has been a major unifying | | | | plaster-of-Paris skeleton characters are both satirical |
| theme of the country. | | | | and lifelike. |
| Many Mexican writers and artists have received | | | | Mexican popular music, especially ranchero and |
| worldwide acclaim for their creativity and | | | | mariachi music, has attracted a wide following |
| innovativeness. Within their work, both folk and classical | | | | throughout the Spanish-speaking world, and Mexico |
| tradition has been quite strong. | | | | City has become one of the major recording centers |
| The country's best-known writers have gained their | | | | for the Americas. The country's motion pictures and |
| reputations by dealing with questions of universal | | | | television industries are among the largest in Latin |
| significance, as did Samuel Ramos, whose philosophical | | | | America, producing films and programs that circulate |
| speculations on man and culture in Mexico influenced | | | | throughout the region. Bullfighting is the country's |
| post-1945 writers in several genres. The prolific critic | | | | national sport, and the Plaza México in Mexico |
| and cultural analyst Octavio Paz is considered to be | | | | City is one of the perfect venues for this spectacle. |
| the foremost poet of Latin America. The novels of | | | | Soccer is still the most popular participatory sport, but |
| Carlos Fuentes are honored throughout the world, | | | | baseball has attracted increasing numbers of |
| Gustavo Sainz is a leader in Spanish-language | | | | spectators and players at both the professional and |
| literature, and Juan José Arreola's fantasies are | | | | amateur level. Mexico has also produced a number of |
| universally admired. Among dramatists, Rodolfo Usigli | | | | world champions in the lighter weight classes in |
| has been extremely influential, while Luisa Josefina | | | | professional boxing. |