Background Notes : Mexico

Public Affairs Documents

Background Note: Mexico

Official Name: United Mexican States

PROFILE

Geography

Area: 1,972,550 sq. km. (761,600 sq. mi.); about three times the size of Texas.

Cities: Capital--Mexico City (22 million, estimate for metro area). Other major cities--Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Acapulco, Merida, Leon, Veracruz.

Terrain: Coastal lowlands, central high plateaus, and mountains up to 5,400 m. (18,000 ft.).

Climate: Tropical to desert.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Mexican(s).

Population (July 2010 est.): 112,468,855.

Annual population growth rate (2010 est.): 1.118%.

Ethnic groups: Indian-Spanish (mestizo) 60%, Indian 30%, Caucasian 9%, other 1%.

Religions (2000 census): Roman Catholic 76.5%, Protestant 6.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 13.8%, none 3.1%.

Language: Spanish.

Education: Years compulsory--11 (note: preschool education was made mandatory in Dec. 2001). Literacy--91.4%.

Health (2010): Infant mortality rate--17.84/1,000. Life expectancy--male 73.5 years; female 79.22 years.

Work force (2009 est., 44.5 million): Agriculture--13.7%, industry--23.4%, services--62.2%.

Government

Type: Federal republic.

Independence: First proclaimed September 16, 1810; republic established 1824.

Constitution: February 5, 1917.

Branches: Executive--president (chief of state and head of government). Legislative--bicameral. Judicial--Supreme Court, local and federal systems.

Administrative subdivisions: 31 states and a federal district.

Political parties: Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), National Action Party (PAN), Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), Green Ecological Party (PVEM), Labor Party (PT), and several small parties.

Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy

GDP (official exchange rate): $1 trillion (2010 est.); $876 billion (2009); $1.088 trillion (2008).

GDP (PPP method): $1.459 trillion (2009 est.); $1.550 trillion (2008).

Per capita GDP (PPP method): $13,542 (2009 est.); $14,534 (2008).

Annual real GDP growth: 4.5% (2010 est.); -6.5% (2009); 1.3% (2008); 3.3% (2007); 5.1% (2006); 3.2% (2005).

Inflation rate: 4.6% (2010 est.); 3.57% (2009); 6.5% (2008); 3.8% (2007); 3.4% (2006); 3.3% (2005).

Natural resources: Petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber.

Agriculture (4% of GDP): Products--corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes, beef, poultry, dairy products, wood products.

Industry (31% of GDP): Types--food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables.

Services (64% of GDP): Types--commerce and tourism, financial services, transportation and communications.

Trade (goods): Exports (2009)--$230 billion f.o.b. Imports (2009)--$234 billion f.o.b. Exports to U.S. (2009)--$185 billion (80% of total). Imports from U.S. (2009)--$112 billion (48% of total). Major markets--U.S., EU (5%...