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 Mexico
is the fifth largest country in the Western Hemisphere and is rich in
natural resources such as petroleum and natural gas. Mexico's efforts
to develop and modernize its economy—one of the 15 largest in the world—have
been slowed by the nation's rugged terrain, limited farmland, a rapidly
growing population, and a series of economic crises. The nation's capital,
Mexico City, is one of the largest cities in the world. In Latin
America, only Brazil has a larger population
than Mexico.
The people of Mexico reflect the country's rich history. The
Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century soon
led to widespread intermarriage and racial mixing between Spaniards
and Native Americans. As late as the early 19th century, Native Americans
accounted for nearly two-thirds of the population in the region. During
that century, however, the racial composition of the country began to
change from one that featured distinct European (Spanish) and indigenous
populations, to one made up largely of mestizos—people of mixed Spanish
and Native American descent. By the end of the 19th century, mestizos,
who were discriminated against during three centuries of Spanish colonization,
had become the largest population group in Mexico. Mestizos now account
for about 60 percent of Mexicans.
Full country name: Estados Unidos Méxicanos
Population: 100,350,000 (growth rate 1.53%)
Area: 1,958,200 sq km (758,866 sq mi)
Capital city: Mexico City (22 million people)
People: Approximately 60% mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian
descent) and 30% Amerindian (indígena - including Nahua, Maya,
Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Totonacs, and Tarascos or Purépecha)
Language: Spanish and 59 indigenous languages
Religion: 90% Roman Catholic, 6% Protestant
Government: Federal republic
Head of state: Felipe Calderon
GDP: US$915 billion
GDP per head: US$9100
Annual growth: 7%
Inflation: 9%
Major industries: Food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron
and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer
durables, tourism
Major trading partners: USA, Canada, Japan, Germany
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