ABSTRACT
The history of the peninsula, Campeche has often deliberately insulated itself from it as well as from the rest of Mexico, at the same time jealous of more successful regions and guarding the very lack of progress that has served to maintain traditions. The radical change represented by the landfill, modernization in the city of Campeche has been gradual and relatively unobtrusive overall. Tradition is under assault by the plastic folding Christmas tree, which is rapidly replacing the native poinsettia, and by Santa Claus, who brings an increasing number of Campeche children expensive presents on Noche Buena, overshadowing the simple toys brought later by the Three Kings. The main effects have been a gradual but cumulative retrenchment and recession as state intervention in peasant agriculture has focused on the few productive sectors while high interest rates. The government pricing and subsidy policies, and the soaring cost of agricultural inputs have combined to create de facto deficit production.
