Mexico
Mexico is a large country in the southern part of North America. It covers about 1,972,550 square kilometers (761,606 square miles), making it the 13th largest country in the world.
Land and Water Features
Mexico has coastlines on the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of California, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. These last two are part of the Atlantic Ocean. Mexico also has about 6,000 square kilometers (2,317 square miles) of islands.
Most of Mexico's central and northern areas are at high altitudes. The highest mountains are in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, which crosses Mexico from east to west. These include Pico de Orizaba (5,700 meters or 18,700 feet), Popocatépetl (5,462 meters or 17,920 feet), and Iztaccihuatl (5,286 meters or 17,343 feet).
Two large mountain ranges, the Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre Occidental, run from north to south. A third range, the Sierra Madre del Sur, runs from Michoacán to Oaxaca. Mexico also has many volcanoes.
Regions and Rivers
Mexico has nine main regions, including Baja California, the Mexican Plateau, and the Yucatán Peninsula. The Yucatán Peninsula is home to the Chicxulub crater, which scientists believe was caused by the impact that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Even though Mexico is large, much of its land is not good for farming due to dry conditions or difficult terrain. About 54.9% of the land is used for agriculture. Mexico has several rivers, with the longest being the Rio Grande, which forms part of the border with the United States. The Usumacinta River forms part of the southern border with Guatemala.
Mexico's Climate Zones
Mexico's climate varies a lot because of its size and mountains. The Tropic of Cancer divides the country into two main climate zones: temperate (cooler winters) to the north and tropical (constant temperatures year-round) to the south.
Many parts of northern Mexico are dry with little rain. However, tropical lowlands in the south can get more than 2,000 millimeters (79 inches) of rain each year. Cities in the north like Monterrey can reach temperatures of 40°C (104°F) or more in summer. In the Sonoran Desert, temperatures can even go above 50°C (122°F).
Mexico has 7 major climate types. Most of the country has a temperate to dry climate. Coastal areas south of the Tropic of Cancer have warm, humid climates with average temperatures between 24°C and 28°C (75°F and 82°F) all year. Both Mexican coasts can experience strong hurricanes during summer and fall.
Amazing Biodiversity in Mexico
Mexico is one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries, meaning it has a huge variety of life. It ranks fourth globally in biodiversity, being home to 10–12% of all species on Earth!
Rich Animal and Plant Life
Mexico has the most reptile species in the world (707 known species). It ranks second for mammals (438 species) and fourth for amphibians (290 species). It also has 26,000 different plant species. Overall, Mexico is considered the second country in the world for ecosystems and fourth for total species.
About 2,500 species are protected by Mexican laws. Sadly, Mexico has faced issues with Deforestation and soil erosion, especially in rural areas. However, environmental protection laws have improved in major cities.
Protected Areas and Native Foods
Mexico has 170,000 square kilometers (65,637 square miles) of "Protected Natural Areas." These include 34 biosphere reserves, 67 national parks, and other protected zones.
Many plants that are now grown worldwide actually came from Mexico. Some native Mexican foods include maize (corn), tomato, beans, squash, chocolate, vanilla, avocado, guava, and many types of chiles like habanero and jalapeño. Many of these names come from the Nahuatl language.
How Mexico is Governed
Mexico is a constitutional federal democracy. This means it has a written constitution and a government where people vote for their leaders.
The President and Congress
The president is elected every 6 years and leads the country. The president is the head of state and government, and also the commander-in-chief of the military. The president chooses the Cabinet and can reject new laws.
Mexico's federal legislature is called the Congress of the Union. It has two parts: the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. The Congress makes federal laws, declares war, sets taxes, approves the national budget, and agrees to international treaties.
The Chamber of Deputies has 500 members. The Senate has 128 members. Both are elected through a mix of direct voting and proportional representation.
The Judicial System
The highest court in Mexico is the Supreme Court of Justice. It has eleven judges chosen by the president and approved by the Senate. The Supreme Court interprets laws and handles federal cases. Other courts also help make sure laws are followed fairly.
Mexico's States and Capital
Mexico is divided into 32 states, including Mexico City, which is the capital. Each state has its own government, but they are all part of the federal republic.
- 1. Aguascalientes
- 2. Baja California
- 3. Baja California Sur
- 4. Campeche
- 5. Chiapas
- 6. Chihuahua
- 7. Coahuila
- 8. Colima
- 9. Durango
- 10. Guanajuato
- 11. Guerrero
- 12. Hidalgo
- 13. Jalisco
- 14. Mexico
- 15. Michoacan
- 16. Morelos
- 17. Nayarit
- 18. Nuevo Leon
- 19. Oaxaca
- 20. Puebla
- 21. Queretaro
- 22. Quintana Roo
- 23. San Luis Potosí
- 24. Sinaloa
- 25. Sonora
- 26. Tabasco
- 27. Tamaulipas
- 28. Tlaxcala
- 29. Veracruz
- 30. Yucatán
- 31. Zacatecas
- 32. Mexico City
The People of Mexico
Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. It is also the second most populous country in Latin America, after Brazil.
Ethnic Backgrounds and Languages
About 60% of Mexicans have both Native American and European ancestors; these are called mestizos. Nearly 30% of Mexicans are of pure Native American descent, and 10% are of European descent.
Most Mexicans (90%) speak Spanish. However, about 10% of Mexicans speak one of the 68 recognized Native American languages. Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, is the most widely spoken indigenous language, followed by Yucatec Maya. English is the most commonly taught foreign language in Mexico.
Religion in Mexico
Most people in Mexico are Roman Catholic (89%). About 6% are Protestant.
Mexico's Economy
Mexico has a strong and growing economy, especially in manufacturing.
Key Industries
The electronics industry in Mexico has grown a lot in the last ten years. Mexico has the sixth largest electronics industry in the world. It is the second largest exporter of electronics to the United States. Mexican factories make televisions, computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. Electronics make up 30% of Mexico's exports.
Mexico also produces more automobiles than any other North American country. Big car companies like General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Volkswagen, and Nissan have factories in Mexico. Many new car plants have opened recently, bringing in billions of dollars in investment.
Tourism in Mexico
Mexico is one of the most visited countries in the world. It is the most visited country in the Americas after the United States.
Popular Attractions
Tourists love Mexico for its ancient Mesoamerican ruins, lively cultural festivals, beautiful colonial cities, nature reserves, and stunning beach resorts. Mexico's varied climates, from temperate to tropical, and its unique culture (a mix of European and Mesoamerican influences) make it a very attractive place to visit.