Mexican units of measurement

A number of units of measurement were used in Mexico to measure length, mass, area, capacity, etc. The Metric system was optional from 1857, and has been compulsory since 1896.[1][2]

System before metric system

The Units of the system (from Spanish, Castillian) were legally defined during the transition period of the metric system.[1]

Length

A number of units were used. One vara was equal to 0.838m (32.99 inches) as it was legally defined.[1] Some other units and legal equivalents are given below:

1 linea = 1/432 vara

1 pulgada = 1/86 vara

1 pie = 1/3 vara

1 milla = 5000/3 vara[3]

1 legua = 5000 vara.[1][3]

Mass

A number of units were used. One libra was equal to 0.460 246 34 kg as it was legally defined.[1] Some other units and legal equivalents are given below:

1 tomin = 1/768 libra

1 adarme = 1/256 libra

1 ochava = 1/128 libra

1 onza = 1/16 libra

1 arroba = 25 libra

1 quintal = 100 libra

1 terco = 160 libra[1]

Area

A number of units were used. One fanega was equal to 35662.8 m2 as it was legally defined.[1] Some other units and legal equivalents are given below:

1 caballeria = 12 fanega

1 labor = 18 fanega

1 sitio = 492.28 fanega.[1][3]

Capacity

Two systems, dry and liquid, were used.

Dry

Several units were used. One cuartillo was equal to 1.891 8 l as it was legally defined.[1][3] Some other units and legal equivalents are given below:

1 almud = 4 cuartillo

1 fanega = 48 cuartillo

1 carga = 96 cuartillo.[1][3]

Liquid

Several units were used. Some units and legal equivalents are given below:

1 cuartillo (for wine) = 0.456 264 l

1 cuartillo (for oil) = 0.506 162 l

1 jarra = 18 cuartillos.[1][3] One frasco was equal to 2 1/2 quarts, and baril was equal to 20 gallons, with local variations.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Washburn, E.W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. 1. New York: McGraw-Hil Book Company, Inc. p. 9. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  2. ↑ Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. pp. 164–165. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
  4. ↑ Clarke, F.W. (1891). Weights Measures and Money of All Nations. New York: D. Appleton & Company. p. 51.
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