Modern Mexico
By: Mar & Ang
Geography
Mexico is located on the continent of North America. The Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean are the closest big bodies of water near Mexico. Some close countries are the US, Guatemala, Belize, El Savador, and Honduras. The capital of Mexico is Mexico city. Some major cities are Guadalajara, Mazatlan, Chihuahua, La Paz, and Tijuana. Mexico is 761,600 sq. miles. Sierra Madre Occidental run from north to south, which are mountains. The Gulf Coastal Plainis east of the Sierra Madre Occidental and faces the Gulf. Central Mexican Plateau covers most of north and central Mexico. There are also two peninsulas and a line of ancient volcanoes that run from the Pacific the the East of the Gulf. The main natural resources Mexico provides are: zinc, copper, silver, and lead.
Economy
Major Industries, Trade & Currency
- Mexico has the ninth-largest economy in the world.
- Its main industries are food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, clothing and motor vehicles.
- Mexico's main exports to the U.S. are electrical machinery, & mineral fuel and oil
- Mexico's main imports from the U.S. are vehicles (cars, trucks and parts), basic machinery, and optic and medical instruments.
- It takes 17 pesos to equal $1 in the United States.
Government
Mexico currently has a Federal Republic government and the President at the moment is Enique Pena Nieto. The Coat of Arms is Mexico's military. It consists of an Army, Navy, and Air force. Mexico's main current enemy are the Drug Cartel People. Some of Mexico's allies are the Us, Canada, Cuba, Chile, and Spain.
History
Within the last 25 years... On September 19, 1985, an earthquake in Mexico City kills nearly 10,000 people and causes heavy damage. In 1986, huge oil reserves are discovered in the Bay of Campeche On December 17, 1992, President Carlos Salinas joins George Bush of the U.S. and Prime Minister Brian Mulroney of Canada in signing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In 1997, the PRI suffers a shocking defeat, losing the mayoralty of Mexico City's votes. In 2000, Vicente Fox, wins election to the Mexican presidency, ending more than 70 years of PRI rule.
Social Structure
As of 2012, the life expectancy of a Mexican is around 77 years. The main religion of Mexico is Roman Catholicism (82.7%). Other Christian religions in Mexico are around 8%. Non-Catholic religions in Mexico include: Buddhism, La Luz del Mundo, Islam, Penecostal, and others (1.9%). Mestizos are the largest ethnic group in Mexico (60%), next are Amerindians (30%), Whites (9%), and others (1%). The main language spoken in Mexico is Spanish with the Native American language of Nahuatl next. Secretariat of Public Education is the regulated education in Mexico. Standards are at all levels except autonomous universities chosen by the government.