The indigenous people of Mexico, often called Indians or Native Americans. Just as the New World was named after Amerigo Vespucci, the indigenous inhabitants were named "Indians." In Mexico today, there is a marked tendency to refer to Native Americans as indígenas. After the Mexican Revolution, past indigenous civilizations were glorified, and the numerous contributions of indigenous peoples were valorized, often for the first time. Artists, writers, and intellectuals embraced the inigenous heritage of Mexico, but the state of indigenous peoples is only now being addressed. The 500th anniversary of the encounter between Old World and New has done much to raise awareness of indigenous issues and concerns.