Mexico has borders with the United States, Belize and Guatemala. It is about 20% of the size of the United States. Baja California is an 800-mile (1,287-km) peninsula to the west forming the Gulf of California. In the east is found the Gulf of Mexico and the Bay of Campeche, which is formed by the Yucatán peninsula. The center of Mexico is a large, high plateau, open towards the north. It has mountain chains on the east and west and ocean-front lowlands.
Mexico straddles the southern part of North America, with coastal plains along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts rising to a central plateau. Northern Mexico is desertlike, while the south is a mountainous jungle containing Maya and Aztec ruins. Most people live in the densely populated waist of the country, including the cities of Veracruz, Mexico City, and Guadalajara. Most Mexicans are of mixed Spanish and Indian descent, but about 30 percent are Indian—and millions still speak Indian languages in the southeast.
Mexico is one of the world's greatest oil producers, with oil and gas making up 33% of the government's revenue.
The nation has valuable minerals like silver, copper, sulfur, lead, and zinc, -advanced technology, and a very large workforce.
Competition and exports have improved since the implementation of tax reforms, more open trade policies and the privatization of state-run industries.
Facts about Mexico
| National name: | Estados Unidos Mexicanos |
| Capital: | Mexico City, 19,013,000 (metropolitan area), 8,591,309 (city proper) |
| Largest Cities: | Ecatepec, 1,731,900 (part of Mexico City metropolitan area); Guadalajara, 1,665,800; Puebla, 1,345,500; Nezahualcóyotl, 1,250,700 (part of Mexico City metropolitan area); Monterrey, 1,135,000 |
| Land area: | 742,485 sq mi (1,923,039 sq km) |
| Total area: | 758,449 sq mi(1,964,375 sq km) |
| Population: | 107,449,525 (growth rate: 1.2%) |
| Life expectancy: | 75 |
| Form of Government: | Federal republic |
Economy
| Industry: | food, beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron, steel |
| Agriculture: | corn, wheat, soybeans, rice; beef; wood products |
| Exports: | manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits, vegetables |
| Monetary unit: | Mexican peso |
| GDP per Capita: | USD 8,900 |
People
| Ethnic Groups: | Mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, white 9%, other 1% |
| Languages: | Spanish, Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional languages |
| Religion: | nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other 5% |
