Quick Geography Facts About Mexico

Quick Geography Facts About Mexico Mexico, officially called the United Mexican States, is a country located in North America south of the  United States  and north of  Belize  and  Guatemala . It has coastline along the  Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the  Gulf of Mexico  and it is considered the 13th largest country in the world based on area.   Mexico is also the 11th most  populous country  in the world. It is a regional power for Latin America with an economy that is strongly tied to that of the United States. Quick Facts About Mexico Population: 112,468,855 (July 2010 estimate)Capital: Mexico CityBordering Countries: Belize, Guatemala, and the United StatesLand Area: 758,450 square miles (1,964,375 square kilometers)Coastline: 5,797 miles (9,330 kilometers)Highest Point: Volcan Pico de Orizaba at 18,700 feet (5,700 meters)Lowest Point: Laguna Salada at -32 feet (-10 meters) History of Mexico The earliest settlements in Mexico were those of the Olmec, Maya, Toltec, and Aztec. These groups developed highly complex cultures prior to any European influence. From 1519-1521, Hernan Cortes took over Mexico and founded a colony belonging to Spain that lasted for almost 300 years. On September 16, 1810, Mexico proclaimed its independence from Spain after Miguel Hidalgo formed the countrys declaration of independence, Viva Mexico! However, independence did not come until 1821 after years of war. In that year, Spain and Mexico signed a treaty ending the war for independence. The treaty also laid out plans for a constitutional monarchy. The monarchy failed, and, in 1824, the independent republic of Mexico was established. During the later part of the 19th century, Mexico underwent several presidential elections and fell into a period of social and economic problems. These problems led to a revolution that lasted from 1910 to 1920. In 1917, Mexico established a new constitution, and, in 1929, the Institutional Revolutionary Party rose and controlled politics in the country until 2000. Since 1920 though, Mexico has undergone a variety of reforms in the agriculture, political, and social sectors that allowed it to grow into what it is today. Following World War II, Mexicos government focused primarily on economic growth, and, in the 1970s, the country became a large producer of petroleum. In the 1980s though, falling oil prices caused Mexicos economy to decline, and, as a result, it entered into several agreements with the U.S. In 1994, Mexico joined the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the U.S. and Canada, and, in 1996, it joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). Government of Mexico Today, Mexico is considered a federal republic, with a chief of state and a head of government making up its executive branch of government. It should be noted, however, that both of these positions are filled by the President. Mexicos legislative branch is comprised of a bicameral National Congress which consists of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.The judicial branch is made up of the Supreme Court of Justice. Mexico is divided into 31 states and one federal district (Mexico City) for local administration. Economics and Land Use in Mexico Mexico currently has a free market economy that has mixed modern industry and agriculture. Its economy is still growing, and there is a large inequality in the  distribution of income. Mexicos largest trading partners are the U.S. and Canada due to NAFTA.The largest industrial products that are exported from Mexico include food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables and tourism.The main agricultural products of Mexico are corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes, beef, poultry, dairy and wood products. Geography and Climate of Mexico Mexico has a highly varied topography that consists of rugged mountains with high elevations, deserts, high plateaus and low coastal plains. For example, its highest point is at 18,700 feet (5,700 m) while its lowest is -32 feet (-10 m). Mexicos climate is also variable, but it is mainly tropical or desert. Its capital, Mexico City, has its highest average temperature in April at 80ËšF (26ËšC) and its lowest in January at 42.4ËšF (5.8ËšC). More Facts about Mexico The main ethnic groups in Mexico are Indian-Spanish (Mestizo) 60%, Indian 30%, Caucasian 9%, other 1%.The only official language in Mexico is Spanish.Mexicos literacy rate is 91.4%.The largest city in Mexico is Mexico City, followed by Ecatepec, Guadalajara, Puebla, Nezahualcà ³yotl, and Monterrey. (Its important to note, however, that Ecatepec and Nezahualcà ³yotl are also suburbs of Mexico City.) Which U.S. States Border Mexico? Mexico shares its northern border with the United States, with the Texas-Mexico border formed by the Rio Grande. In total, Mexico borders four states in the southwestern U.S. ArizonaCaliforniaNew MexicoTexas Sources Central Intelligence Agency. (26 July 2010). CIA - The World Factbook - Mexico.Retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mx.html Infoplease.com. (n.d.). Mexico: History, Geography, Government, and Culture- Infoplease.com.Retrieved from: infoplease.com/ipa/A0107779.html United States Department of State. (14 May 2010). Mexico.Retrieved from: state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35749.htm