Country Profile
Introduction
Shaped similar to a funnel that links the U.S. with Central America , Mexico sweeps down the map from the desert lands of the north to the tropical south, with a final twist as it turns east into the flat Yucatan peninsula. Encompassing just over 760,000 square miles, Mexico is bordered by the U.S. from the north, by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to the east, by Belize and Guatemala from the south/southeast, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. Mexico , officially named The Estados Unidos de Mexico, (United Mexican States) is comprised of a Federal District and 31 States. The country is the fourth largest in Latin America, slightly less than 3 times the size of Texas . Currently, Mexico is reported to be the largest Spanish speaking country in the world.
The Population & People of Mexico
Population estimates for the country vary. Most statisticians quote a probable total population of 97-118 million, with an approximate growth rate of 2.6% annually (recently: 2%). In fact, one of the more dynamic aspects of Mexico 's demography has been its rapid rate of population increase. The growth rate has been 50 percent higher than the world average and almost four times the rate of the United States . This growth rate, however, represents a recent slowing compared to the 3 percent growth rate from 1960 to 1980. For example, in 1910, Mexico had a population of approximately 15 million. As of 1940, the population had increased to just 20 million. By 1960, there were more than 34 million people in the country, and as of 1970, more than 58 million. The 1980 population surpassed 66 million, and at the end of 1986 it had surpassed 80 million. Such rapid growth has significantly taxed the ability of the Mexican Republic to provide basic, effective social services and economic opportunities for its citizens.
In addition, the movement of people within the nations borders has drastically altered the distribution of Mexico 's population. Massive migrations from rural areas and small towns to cities began in the 1950s, resulting in an estimated 75 percent of Mexicans living in cities today. In fact, as a group, cities within Mexico have grown at an average rate of more than 5 percent a year since the 1960s. The general lack of agricultural land, limited job opportunities, limited social amenities, and perceived opportunities in the cities have contributed to this population distribution trend away from rural areas to cities.
The people of Mexico should not be considered homogenous. Mestizos, persons of Indian-Spanish ancestry, form the majority of the population, at least 60%. [note: some estimates are 10 - 20% higher]. Another 30% are of Indian descent, 9% are Caucasian, and 1% other. The official language is Spanish, but many Mexicans still speak only indigenous tongues.
Geography
A common cliche Mexico is a land of contrasts is hard to avoid when considering her astonishing variety of landscapes and climates. Lowlands exist in the southeast and along the coasts, but the heart of the country is the extensive Mexican plateau, with elevations generally above 4,000 ft. Fringed by the ranges of the Sierra Madre, the plateau, with the exception of the arid north, is a region of broad, shallow lakes where more than half of the countrys population is concentrated. To the south is a chain of primarily extinct volcanoes, including Ixtacihuatl, Popocatepetl (recently showing signs of some activity), and Orizaba , which at 18,406 ft, is Mexico 's highest point.
History, Politics, Government
Some knowledge and understanding of this country's complex history is crucial to appreciating todays Mexico .
Before the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century, great indigenous civilizations such as the Aztec, Maya, Mixtec, Olmec, Toltec, and Zapotec flourished in Mexico . Arriving in 1519, Hernan Cortes overthrew the Aztec empire in 1521, and captured its ruler, Montezuma. Thirst for gold was a major inspiration for the arrival of Cortes and his men, and ultimately laid the foundation for 300 years of Spanish rule. It was during this time that Catholicism was introduced, as well as the creation of a landowning system that has repercussions even today.
The territory became the viceroyalty of New Spain in 1535. Spanish conquerors exploited the mineral wealth of the land, using as laborers the native population and a growing mestizo class. At this same time, Spanish rule was extended throughout Mexico , including what now constitutes the southwestern U.S. A rebellion, led by Miguel Hidalgo Y Costilla, Mexicanos, Viva Mexico ! (1810-1815) officially failed. However, in 1821, Spain accepted Mexican independence, and an empire headed by Augustin de Iturbide was established in 1822. For 30 years, between 1821 and 1851, Mexico reeled under more than 40 different governments. It was during this period, in 1836, that Texas obtained independence from Mexico , and that the Mexican War with the U.S. occurred, 1846-48.
Internally, the republic was torn by strife among contending political leaders. In 1855, a democratic reform movement led by Benito Juarez overthrew the dictatorship of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, and drafted a liberal constitution. Civil War followed, and in 1864 another ill-fated empire was established under the Hapsburg prince Maximilian. This empire collapsed in 1867. Next followed the long, reformist dictatorship of mestizo Porfirio Diaz, who ruled Mexico with a firm hand for most of the 35 years after 1876.
Diaz promoted economic growth and provided a degree of stability, but his encouragement of the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few spawned a new generation of revolutionaries. Among these were Emiliano Zapata, Francisco Pancho Villa, whose raid into the U.S. in 1916 resulted in a brief retaliatory U.S. invasion of Mexico , and Francisco I. Madero, who toppled Diaz in 1911, but was himself overthrown and murdered in 1913. A foundation for reform was laid by Venustiano Carranza's constitution of 1917. In 1929, Plutarco Elias Calles founded the National Revolutionary Party, (renamed the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, in 1946) which has governed Mexico ever since.
During the presidency of Lazaro Cardenas, (1934-1940) land was redistributed, illiteracy reduced, power projects initiated, and some industries nationalized. Cardenas successors have tended to stress industrial development, which has benefited the middle and upper classes. In 1982, the faltering economy caused the government to devalue the peso and nationalize the banks. The country's enormous foreign debt hampered economic growth. In 1988, Carlos Alinas De Gortari was elected president amid charges of widespread fraud. Salinas opened Mexico to foreign investment, signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the U.S. and Canada , and helped oversee a general improvement in the economy. A recent Mayan-based uprising (1994) in the southern state of Chiapas , however, provided a reminder of the poverty in which many Mexicans still live. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce De Leon, the PRI candidate, succeeded Salinas as president in 1994; this election was regarded by most observers as generally fair.
Current Political Status
As identified earlier, Mexico is a federal republic composed of 31 states and the Federal District (DF). Its senate is composed of 64 members, two persons from each state and the DF, as well as a Chamber of Deputies with a representative for every 250,000 people. Senators serve six-year and deputies three-year terms, and cannot be reelected for the succeeding term. Ostensibly the president is popularly elected, but is in fact to date selected by the outgoing president from among candidates in the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI). The president serves one term and cannot be reelected. PRI lost much of it power in 2000, they were the dominant political party for 70 years.
Mexico has a multi-party system, which means that there are more than two dominant political parties. Nationally, there are three large political parties that dominate: the PRI, the PAN, and the PRD. Other smaller political parties survive in isolation or by forming local coalitions with any of the big three.
Following the 6 July 2003 midterm election, Mexico had six nationally recognized political parties National recognition was given to those parties that secured representation in Congress (effectively, a share of the popular vote greater than 2%). Under Mexican law, parties are listed in the order in which they were first registered, thus:
PAN: the National Access Party (Partido Acción Nacional) generally speaking, right-wing party. The party of incumbent President Vicente Fox.
PRI: the Institutional Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Institucional) in power, under different names, at the local, state, and national levels for most of the 20th Century For the current legislative period (2003-2006), still the largest party in both chambers of Congress. Although a part of the Socialist International, most often perceived as left of center, supporting a mixed economy and nationalized industries, both of which are longstanding Mexican practices. It is known for corrupt practices.
PRD: the Party of Democratic Revolution (Partido de la Revolucin Democrtica) leftist. Born as a Democratic Front, a split from the PRI, in the 1988 elections. Its first candidate and founder, Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas Solórzano lost the 1988 presidential election under dubious circumstances, and thus the party consolidated itself. It is currently in power in the Federal District and in several other states.
PT: the Labour District (Partido del Trabajo) a far-left political party.
PVEM: the Green Ecological Party of Mexico. (Partido Verde Ecologista de Mexico) a minor party. During most of its existence has been managed by a single family.
Convergencia: Convergence (formerly Convergencia por la Democracia) a minor party, formed in 1977.
The president appoints a cabinet, which includes 17 secretaries from Education, Energy, Defense, Public Works, etc., as well as the governor of the Federal District and the attorney general. The president also appoints the 21 Supreme Court justices, who serve life terms. Governors are popularly elected, but PRI candidates are normally approved by the president. All citizens 18 and older are required to vote.
Trade & Economy
National highways connect all major cities of the country and also connect border cities opening up trucking routes, especially with the United States . Railways also link major cities and border cities. Mexico City is the key hub for the country's trade, much of which is by air. Veracruz is the primary port city. Agriculture engages approximately a quarter of Mexico 's active work force and is slowly being modernized. Sales to other countries include cattle, coffee, copper, cotton products, fish and shellfish, hemp, lead, manganese, petroleum, silver, sugar, tomatoes and zinc. Mexico is the 3rd ranked trading partner with the United States . Roughly two thirds of Mexico 's imports and exports are with the United States . The NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) has removed prior restrictions to cross-border trade. In addition, tariffs are being phased out over a 15-year period. In 1994, the first year following NAFTA enactment, US-Mexico trade increased by an astounding 23%. However, it should be noted that the surprise decision to devalue the currency/peso at the end of 1994 did place domestic and international confidence in Mexico in turmoil. The economy has indeed in many respects slowly recovered, but rebuilding confidence perhaps especially domestically takes many years.
Tourism is another industry of economic importance for the country. Many come to see Mexico 's beautiful beaches and archeological ruins, and this has helped to increasingly diversify the economy. Tourism is, in fact supported quite tangibly by the government. The Tourist Department of Mexico runs a multi-billion dollar industry, with a promotion budget that alone includes some $50 million in direct paid advertising.
In economic terms, Mexico is a developing nation. The gross domestic product, although modest, has increased from an estimated $1,100 U.S.D. per capitain 1960 to $2,300 U.S.D. per capita in 1986. Given the steady and rapid population growth rate, the nation's economic growth has been impressive. According to the 1990 census, the nation's active labor force was approximately one third of the total population, or roughly 28 million, a substantial increase from the 22 million of the 1980 census. The public and private sector accounts for approximately 11 percent of the work force. Agriculture, hunting, forestry, and fishing combined account for more than 25 percent, while about 12 percent is in manufacturing. As a proportion of GDP, services produce 15 percent, manufacturing 26 percent, and wholesale and retail trade approximately 27 percent.
Medical/Health
The average life expectancy in this country for men is 69 years, and for women, 75 years. The country has continued to improve in many areas of healthcare in the past decades. However, this is exacerbated by the rapid population growth. Care generally is of a higher quality in the cities. Persons with serious medical conditions and the financial resources to increase their choices, often choose care in Mexico City or in the United States .
Mexico City
Mexico City is not only the capital of Mexico , but is also the largest city in the world. Approximately 25% of the country's population resides on this 1% of land. The city wrestles with unparalleled problems of pollution, a topography that is literally sinking (said to be at 3 feet above Lake Texcoco at the beginning of this century, Mexico City is currently at approximately 10 feet below), earthquakes, and volcanoes; the former with recent devastating impact, the latter with great potential for devastation. The city has been listed as one of the top ten most dangerous cities in the world. Two-thirds of the government is seated here, although decentralization attempts are occurring.
Mexico-U.S. Relationship
As noted earlier, the countries are significantly linked through import/export processes, boosting the economy of each.
In addition, they share a 2,000-mile common border. Mexico and the United States have many other ongoing issues they are attempting to deal with jointly. Two primary issues are immigration and drug/narcotics trafficking.
There are at least 20 million U.S. residents of Mexican descent, and 600,000 U.S. citizens residing permanently in Mexico . Each year there is an aggravated certification process that the United States performs, rating Mexico 's efforts in curtailing the flow of drugs across the Northern border. In response, Mexico repeatedly balks at this certification. Recently, Mexican officials were further angered when the United States performed a drug/money-laundering sting operation within Mexico without notifying the government.
Religious & Cultural Factors
It is said that every day is a holiday somewhere in Mexico . Furthermore, almost all of these holidays have some sort of religious significance.
Throughout the country, there are an estimated 2000 Christian workers affiliated with 150 various missions or ministries. Unfortunately, only 3.5% of the country is evangelical. Between 3 and 4 million people live in approximately 142 unreached people groups.This dynamic, growing nation is searching for an identity in its Hispanic and Indian roots. This has produced fierce nationalism and demonstrations of independence from its northern neighbor, the USA . This is often expressed in anti-Protestant populist propaganda. Electronic Operation World.
New laws in July 1992 opened up new religious freedoms in Mexico . The law grants churches official legal status in Mexico for the first time. Radio and television are now accessible to religious groups. Also, religious organizations can now own property and maintain banking accounts. Prior to 1992 these freedoms were not enjoyed because of the influence the Roman Catholic Church had in the country's history. However, to gain this status under the new law, churches must register with the government.
