Located in southern North America, Mexico borders the United States of America to the north, Guatemala, and Belize to the south, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Gulf of Mexico to the east. A rich cultural legacy and the vibrant history of advanced civilization have shaped the modern nation of Mexico. Influenced by Indian and Spanish cultures, Mexico is a unique blend of two different distinct societies.
Majestic mountains, vast beaches, beautiful lakes, valleys, and deserts attract tourists to Mexico year-round. After three hundred years of Spanish colonial rule, Mexico struggled for years after independence to gain political and economic stability. Mexico continues to work to overcome the economic disparity between the very rich and the extremely poor.
Political History and Divisions
Mexico has a federal republic government with the president as head of the state and government. After the Mexican Revolution began in 1910, the Mexican constitution was adopted in 1917. The government is divided into three branches: judicial, executive, and legislative, which work independently in their respective spheres.
There are thirty-one states and one federal district. Each state is independent with a level of autonomy. Each state is further divided into municipalities, each with its own council, headed by a mayor. Mexico City is the federal district and also the national capital of Mexico.
Major Cities of Mexico
- Mexico City: Mexico City is the largest city and national capital of Mexico, as well as a cultural, educational, financial, and political center.
- Guadalajara: Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco, and is the second largest city in Mexico. This city is also one of the major commercial and industrial centers of Mexico, and a popular tourist destination.
- Puebla: Puebla is the capital of the state of Puebla, which is famous for its petrochemical, automobile, and iron industries. Puebla is also known for its many churches.
- Acapulco: Acapulco is one of the major tourist destinations of Mexico for its beaches and resorts.
Quick Facts of Mexico |
|---|
| Official Name | United Mexican States |
| Continent | North America |
| Administrative Units | 31 States, one Federal District, and 2438 Municipalities. |
| Population | 130.26 million (July 2021estimate) |
| Type of Government | Federal Republic |
| Head of the Government & State | President Andrés Manuel López Obrador since December 2018 |
| Declared Independence Day | September 16, 1810 |
| Recognized Independence Day | September 27, 1821 |
| Major Language | Spanish |
| Major Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Dominant Political Parties | National Action Party (PAN), Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Party of the Democratic Revolution (PAD) |
Mexican States and Capitals (Mapa del Estado de Mexico) |
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| State | Population | Area(km.²) | Area(mi.²) | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aguascalientes | 1,065,416 | 5,471 | 2,112 | Aguascalientes |
| Baja California | 2,844,469 | 69,921 | 26,997 | Mexicali |
| Baja California Sur | 512,170 | 73,475 | 28,369 | La Paz |
| Campeche | 754,730 | 50,812 | 19,619 | Campeche |
| Chiapas | 4,293,459 | 74,211 | 28,653 | Tuxtla Gutierrez |
| Chihuahua | 3,241,444 | 244,938 | 94,571 | Chihuahua |
| Coahuila | 2,495,200 | 149,982 | 57,908 | Saltillo |
| Colima | 567,996 | 5,191 | 2,004 | Colima |
| Distrito Federal | 8,720,916 | 1,479 | 571 | (Ciudad de) Mexico |
| Durango | 1,509,117 | 123,181 | 47,560 | (Victoria de) Durango |
| Guanajuato | 4,893,812 | 30,491 | 11,773 | Guanajuato |
| Guerrero | 3,115,202 | 64,281 | 24,819 | Chilpancingo (de los Bravos) |
| Hidalgo | 2,345,514 | 20,813 | 8,036 | Pachuca (de Soto) |
| Jalisco | 6,752,113 | 80,836 | 31,211 | Guadalajara |
| Mexico | 14,007,495 | 21,355 | 8,245 | Toluca (de Lerdo) |
| Michoacan | 3,966,073 | 59,928 | 23,138 | Morelia |
| Morelos | 1,612,899 | 4,950 | 1,911 | Cuernavaca |
| Nayarit | 949,684 | 26,979 | 10,417 | Tepic |
| Nuevo Leon | 4,199,292 | 64,924 | 25,067 | Monterrey |
| Oaxaca | 3,506,821 | 93,952 | 36,275 | Oaxaca (de Juarez) |
| Puebla | 5,383,133 | 33,902 | 13,090 | (Heroica) Puebla (de Zaragoza) |
| Queretaro | 1,598,139 | 11,449 | 4,420 | (Santiago de) Queretaro |
| Quintana Roo | 1,135,309 | 50,212 | 19,387 | (Ciudad) Chetumal |
| San Luis Potosi | 2,410,414 | 63,068 | 24,351 | San Luis Potosi |
| Sinaloa | 2,608,442 | 58,328 | 22,521 | Culiacan (Rosales) |
| Sonora | 2,394,861 | 182,052 | 70,291 | Hermosillo |
| Tabasco | 1,989,969 | 25,267 | 9,756 | Villahermosa |
| Tamaulipas | 3,024,238 | 79,384 | 30,650 | Ciudad Victoria |
| Tlaxcala | 1,068,207 | 4,016 | 1,551 | Tlaxcala (de Xicohtencatl) |
| Veracruz | 7,110,214 | 71,699 | 27,683 | Xalapa (Enriquez) |
| Yucatan | 1,818,948 | 38,402 | 14,827 | Merida |
| Zacatecas | 1,367,692 | 73,252 | 28,283 | Zacatecas |
| 32 divisions | 103,263,388 | 1,958,201 | 756,066 |