The geography of Mexico describes the geographic features of Mexico, a country in the Americas.

Mexico is located at about 23° N and 102° W[1] in the southern portion of North America.[2][3] From its
farthest land points, Mexico is a little over 3,200 km (2,000 mi) in length. Mexico is bounded to the
north by the United States (specifically, from west to east, by California, Arizona, New Mexico,
and Texas), to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean, to the east by the Gulf of Mexico, and to the
southeast by Belize, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. The northernmost constituent of Latin
America, it is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. Mexico is the world's 13th
largest country, three times the size of Texas

As well as numerous neighbouring islands, Mexican territory includes the more remote Isla
Guadalupe and the Islas Revillagigedo in the Pacific. Mexico's total area covers 1,972,550 square
kilometers, including approximately 6,000 square kilometers of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of
Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of California. On its north, Mexico shares a 5,000-kilometer border
with the United States. The meandering Río Bravo del Norte (known as the Rio Grande in the United
States) defines the border from Ciudad Juárez east to the Gulf of Mexico. A series of natural and
artificial markers delineate the United States-Mexican border west from Ciudad Juárez to the Pacific
Ocean. The Mexico-U.S. boundary is jointly administered by the International Boundary and Water
Commission.[6] On its south, Mexico shares an 871 kilometer border with Guatemala and a 251-
kilometer border with Belize.
Mexico has a 9,330 kilometer coastline, of which 7,338 kilometers face the Pacific Ocean and the
Gulf of California, and the remaining 2,805 kilometers front the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean
Sea. Mexico's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) covers 3,269,386 km2(1,262,317 sq mi) and is the
13th largest in the world. It extends 200 mi (320 km) nautical miles off each coast. The landmass of
Mexico dramatically narrows as it moves in a southeasterly direction from the United States border
and then abruptly curves northward before ending in the 500-kilometer-long Yucatán Peninsula.
Indeed, the state capital of Yucatán, Mérida, is farther north than Mexico City or Guadalajara.
Demographic
With a population of about 126 million in 2019,[3] Mexico ranks as the 10th most populated country in
the world. It is the most populous Spanish-speaking country and the third-most populous in
the Americas after the United States and Brazil.[4] Throughout most of the twentieth century Mexico's
population was characterized by rapid growth. Although this tendency has been reversed and
average annual population growth over the last five years was less than 1%, the demographic
transition is still in progress, and Mexico still has a large cohort of youths. The most populous city in
the country is the capital, Mexico City, with a population of 8.9 million (2016), and its metropolitan
area is also the most populated with 20.1 million (2010). Approximately 50% of the population lives
in one of the 55 large metropolitan areas in the country. In total, about 78.84% of the population of
the country lives in urban areas, meaning that only 21.16% live in rural areas.
Social

The culture of Mexico has undergone a tremendous transformation over the past few
decades and it varies widely throughout the country. Many Mexicans live in cities, but
smaller rural communities still play a strong role in defining the country's collective
vibrant community. 

Mexico is the 12th most populous country in the world, with over 123 million people in a
July 2016 estimate, according to the Central Intelligence Agency's World
Factbook. According to the CIA, Mexico consists of several ethnic groups. The mestizo
(Amerindian-Spanish) group accounts for 62 percent of the population. Amerindian
people or predominantly Amerindian people account for 21 percent, while 10 percent of
the population is white. These groups create a culture that is unique to Mexico. 
Here is a brief overview of Mexican culture.

Languages of Mexico
The overwhelming majority of Mexicans today speak Spanish. According to the CIA,
Spanish is spoken by 92.7 percent of the Mexican population. About 6 percent of the
population speaks Spanish as well as indigenous languages, such as Mayan, Nahuatl
and other regional languages. Indigenous Mexican words have even become common
in other languages, including English. For example, chocolate, coyote, tomato and
avocado all originated in Nahuatl.  
Religions of Mexico
"Much of Mexican culture revolves around religious values and the church, as well as
the concept of family and inclusiveness," said Talia Wagner, a marriage and
family therapist in Los Angeles. Around 82 percent of Mexicans identify themselves as
Catholic, according to the CIA, although many have incorporated pre-Hispanic Mayan
elements as part of their faith. Christian denominations represented include
Presbyterians, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, Mormons, Lutherans,
Methodists, Baptists and Anglicans. There are also small communities of Muslims, Jews
and Buddhists. 
Values of the Mexican People
Family is one of the most important elements in Mexican society, according
to History.com. Especially outside of cities, families are typically large and Mexicans
are very conscious of their responsibilities to immediate family members and extended
family such as cousins and even close friends.
Hosting parties at their homes plays a large part of Mexican life and making visitors feel
comfortable is a large part of the values and customs of the country.

"Family units are usually large, with traditional gender roles and extensive family
involvement from the external members who assist one another in day to day life,"
Wagner told Live Science. There is a strong connection among family members.
"Parents are treated with a high degree of respect, as is the family in general and there
may be constant struggle, especially for the growing children between individual wants
and needs and those wants and needs of the family," added Wagner.

On large event in a Mexican family is the quinceañera. This is a celebration of a young

lady's 15th birthday. It signifies the girl's journey from childhood to womanhood. The
party includes an elaborate dress for the girl of honor, food, dancing, friends and
families. Before the party there is often a mass at the girl's church. The girl is
accompanied throughout the festivities by her damas (maids of honor) and
chambelánes (chamberlains), according to Encyclopedia Britannica. 
Mexican food
Mexican cuisine varies widely between regions, as each town has its own culinary
traditions, according to "Mexico For You," a publication of the Mexican Cultural
Institute of Washington, D.C. Tortillas and other food made from corn are common
everywhere, though, as are pepper, tomatoes and beans. Rice is also a staple,
according to History.com. Many foods that originated in Mexico are popular worldwide,
including avocadoes, chocolate and pumpkins. 
Mexico is known for its tequila, which is made from agave cactus that is well suited to
the climate of central Mexico. Soda is a very popular drink in Mexico, as the country has
a well-developed beverage industry.

Mexican arts
Clay pottery, embroidered cotton garments, wool shawls and outer garments with
angular designs, colorful baskets and rugs are some of the common items associated
with Mexican folk art. Millennia-old traditions continue in silver-smithing, mosaics,
textiles, pottery and basket-weaving, according to "Mexico For You."

The country is closely associated with the Mariachi style of folk music, according to
"Mexico For You." Originated in the southern part of the state of Jalisco sometime in the
19th century, it involves a group of musicians — playing violins, guitars, basses,
vihuelas (a five-string guitar) and trumpets — and wearing silver-studded charro suits
and elaborate hats. "La Cucaracha" is a well-known Mariachi staple.

Two of Mexico's most famous artists are Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Their

paintings include vibrant colors and depictions of life in Mexico. Rivera was a pioneer of
Muralism, a movement that used expansive wall art to educate the people. 

A mariachi band plays music in Puebla. Marichi music is a tradition that goes back to the 19th
century. (Image credit: ChameleonsEye / Shutterstock.com)

Mexican clothing
Many may not think of Mexico as a place that fosters high fashion, but many fashion
designers hail from Mexico, such as Jorge Duque and Julia y Renata. There is also
a Mexico Fashion Week. In the cities, fashion in Mexico is influenced by international
trends, so the typical urban Mexican dresses similar to people in Europe and the United
States.
Traditional Mexican clothing for women includes a sleeveless tunic-like dress called a
huipil, according to Don Quijote Spanish School. Originally, these cotton dresses were
made very simple with garnishes of color. However, traditional Mexican women´s
clothing now regularly includes lots of ornate embroidery, often including images and
patterns that have symbolic meaning attached to them.

One distinguishing article of traditional men's clothing is a large blanket cape called a
sarape. Boots are also a wardrobe staple. The charro suit, with its origins as the outfit
worn by Mexican cowboys, is most associated with Mariachi musicians. The suit is also
an acceptable substitute for a tuxedo at formal events in Mexico. The charro suit
includes the sombrero, a wide-brimmed hat that provides plenty of shade.

Holidays and celebrations

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is celebrated on Dec. 12, is a major
Mexican holiday celebrating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to an Indian man in the
first years of Spanish rule. She is the patron saint of the country. This is followed closely
by Posadas, a nine-day celebration in which people re-enact Mary and Joseph's journey
to Bethlehem to search for a place to stay. Families go from door to door carrying
candles and singing, asking for shelter until the owners open the door, at which point
the party begins.
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The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), celebrated on Nov. 2, is a day set aside to
remember and honor those who have died, according to the University of New Mexico.
Carnival is also celebrated in many communities throughout Mexico to mark the period
before Lent.

Independence Day, marking the country's separation from Spain in 1810, is

celebrated on Sept. 16. Cinco de Mayo, which marks a Mexican military victory over the
French in 1862, is more widely celebrated in the United States (as a beer promotion)
than it is in Mexico.

GDP MEXICO THIRD QUARTER OF 2019

GDP in Mexico stays constant in forth quarter

Gross Domestic Product of Mexico remain the same as last quarter.

The year-on-year change in GDP was -0.1%, 1 -tenth of one percent more than the -0.2% recorded in the
third quarter of 2019.

The GDP figure in the third quarter of 2019 was $253,562 million, Mexico is number 14 in the ranking of
quarterly GDP of the 50 countries that we publish.

Mexico has a quarterly GDP per capita, of $2,260, $89 higher than the same quarter last year, it
was <="" span="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">.

If we order the countries according to their GDP per capita, Mexico is in 42th position. According to this
parameter, its population has a low level of affluence compare to the 50 countries whose quarterly GDP
we publish.

Here we show you the progression of the GDP in Mexico. You can see GDP in other countries in GDP and
see all the economic information about Mexico in Mexico's economy.
Tobacco, aerospace, petroleum, and mining among others are some of
Mexico's biggest industries. They all play a significant part in the
economy of the country. As per the International Monetary Fund, Mexico
has the world’s 11th largest GDP by purchasing power parity and 16th
largest in nominal terms. Administrations have improved the
microeconomic fundamentals of Mexico since the 1994 crisis. Even
though the 2002 South American crisis did not significantly affect the
country, there were low growth rates following a short period of
stagnation. In spite of this, Mexico was among the Latin American
countries that were most affected by the recession of 2008, with its GDP
dropping by over 6% during that year.
The Economy of Mexico
The economy of Mexico has had an unparalleled microeconomic stability
resulting in the significant reduction of interest and inflation rates and
increased per capita income. However, there are wide gaps between the
country’s southern and northern states, the poor and rich, and the rural
and urban population. Some of Mexico’s unsolved issues include the
reduction of income equality, the improvement of infrastructure and the
modernization of labor laws and tax systems. In 2013, the country’s tax
revenues altogether amounted to 19% of the GDP recording the lowest
among OECD nations. The Mexican economy comprises of rapidly
developing industrial and modern service sectors; the country has also
had an increase in private ownership.
Regional Player
The recent Mexican administrations have extended their competition in
natural gas distribution, ports, electricity generation, railroads, airports,
and telecommunication with the aim of upgrading infrastructure. Since
the economy of Mexico is export-oriented, over 90% of the country’s
trade falls under the free trade agreements (FTAs) which comprise of
over 40 countries such as Israel, most of South and Central America,
Japan, and the EU. The North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) is the most influential regional organization entered by the US,
Mexican, and Canadian governments in 1992 but came into effect in
1994. Trade with the country’s two northern partners amounted to 55%
of its imports and nearly 90% of its exports in 2006. The General
Congress of the United Mexican States has recently approved judicial
reforms, significant tax, and pension reforms. At present, the reform of
the oil industry is being debated. In 2016, 15 companies in Mexico were
on the list of largest companies in the world on the Forbes Global 2000.
The Industry Sector in Mexico
As a whole, Mexico’s industrial sector has benefited from the
liberalization of trade. In the year 2000, the industrial sector accounted
for 50% of all the export earnings. One of the country’s most significant
manufacturers includes the automotive industry, as well as food,
electronics, and oil. Other major industries in the country include the
energy, tourism, finance and banking sectors among others.
Automotive Industry

The standards of quality for the Mexican automotive industry are

internationally recognized and differ from that found in the developing
nations and the other Latin American countries because it operates as
big assembly manufacturers. Mexico’s automotive industry not only
engages in developmental activities and research but also produces
technologically complex components. For instance, the country designs
nearly 70% parts of the new Volkswagen Jetta Model. Chrysler, General
Motors, and Ford, also known as the ‘Big Three’ have been operating in
the country as of the 1930s. Nissan and Volkswagen established their
branches sometime around the 1960s while BMW, Mercedes-Benz,
Toyota, and Honda later joined the Mexican automotive industry.
Maquiladora Industry

Manufacturing plants that take in imported raw materials and produce

goods for domestic consumption and export on behalf of foreign
companies commonly known as maquiladoras have become Mexico’s
trade landmark. The maquiladora sector in the country has heavily
benefited from NAFTA to the extent that real income coming from this
sector has increased from 1994 by 15.5%. In spite of this, the non-
maquiladora sector’s real income has been able to grow much faster.
Other sectors of the Mexican industry are now benefiting from the free
trade agreement. In the last five years, there has been an increase in
shares of non-border states’ exports and a decrease in shares of
maquiladora-border states’ exports.
Food Industry

In comparison to Western European countries and the US, large portions

of the country’s industrial economy are the manufacturing of food which
includes some world-class companies. However, the Mexican regional
industry remains undeveloped, and some national brands in Mexico
have even become international.
Electronics Industry

The countries electronic industry has experienced tremendous growth

within the last ten years with the country having the world’s sixth largest
electronics industry behind China, the US, Japan, South Korea and
Taiwan. The country is North America’s second-largest exporter of
electronics particularly to the US having exported electronics worth
approximately $71.4 billion during the year 2011.
Oil Industry

According to the country’ constitution, its mineral resources are

considered to be the nation’s property. In this regard, the Mexican
government together with several private investors is in charge of
administering the country’s energy sector. The country is the world’s
sixth-largest oil producer, producing about 3,700,000 barrels daily.
Pemex, a Mexican publicly-owned company is responsible for research,
oil exploration as well as the sale of oil, and it is the second largest Latin
American company after Petrobras found of Brazil and the largest in
Mexico.
New Industries in Mexico
At present, the country is working on the development of an aerospace
industry while the regional air jet fuselages and the assembly of
helicopters are still in progress. Bombardier, Bell, MD Helicopters, and
Cessna are foreign firms that build regional jet fuselages, helicopters,
and aircrafts in the country. Even though the aircraft industry in Mexico is
mostly foreign just like its automotive industry, the country has
established its firms such as Aeromarmi which is a company that builds
light propeller airplanes. Another example is Hydra Technologies, a
company building Unmanned Aerial Vehicles also known as drones such
as the S4 Ehecatl.
The Labor Force of Mexico
Both the WTO and the OECD have ranked the country’s workers as the
world’s most hard-working individuals in regards to the number of hours
worked annually. Despite a hard-working labor force, the profitability per
person-hour in Mexico remains significantly low.

The Agriculture Sector in Mexico

The agriculture sector in Mexico has been important to the
country’s economy both politically and historically. As far as
Mexico’s GDP, agriculture only accounts for a very small
percentage however, Mexico is considered to be one of the
cradles of human agriculture. With ancient civilizations
developing plants such as tomatoes, maize, avocados, peppers,
beans, and much more, the country became known for some of
its crops, which have become important agricultural exports.
History of Mexico’s Agriculture
The agriculture in Mexico dates all the way back to the
Mesoamerican period. Evidence has shown that the earliest
cultivation of corn actually took place in Mexico. During the
Mesoamerican period, it is believed that cotton and sunflower
seeds were also cultivated. Mesoamerican cultures also
developed various other crops including squash, tomatoes, chili
peppers, and beans.
During the colonial period, agriculture continued to be an
important sector for the country as crops were needed to subsist
households and also supply commercially to cities. Throughout
the colonial period, the Spanish introduced several new crops
such as barley, wheat, sugar and many fruits including apples,
pears, bananas, and more. The Spanish als o brought with them
various breeds of sheep, cattle, goats, and horses, many of which
are still raised in the country to this day.
The Mexican Revolution eventually led to land reform in Mexico,
resulting in distribution of land to peasants. During this time, and
throughout the 1930s and 1940s, the agricultural production of
the country was decreasing. Further into the 1940s, Mexico
partnered with the United States to develop new crops, leading
to an increase in agricultural production.
Mexico’s Agricultural Trade

While Mexico is known as a tourist destination for cities such as

Cancun and Playa del Carmen, other parts of the country are
equally important to the economy. In modern times, Mexico’s
commercial agricultural products come mainly from three parts
of the country; the tropics of the Gulf of Mexico, central Mexico’s
Bajia region, and the Chiapas Highlands. Mexico’s main
agricultural products include vegetables, fruits, beef, milk, corn,
eggs, poultry, and pork, which make up more than half of the
country’s agricultural production.
The most profitable crops grown in the country include
sugarcane and coffee. Coffee is generally exported however
sugarcane is most often used for domestic consumption as
opposed to exporting. Other profitable crops include pineapples,
bananas, cacao, mangos, and vanilla. More than 50 percent of
Mexico’s agricultural exports go to the United States.
Geography and Agriculture
Mexico is a large country and of all of the land, about fifteen
percent is dedicated to agricultural grops while more than fifty
percent is used for the production of livestock. Many areas of the
country are too mountainous or too arid for grazing or growing
crops, but with the diverse climate in the country, there are
certain areas where crops and livestock thrive.
Mexico’s Agricultural Crops
The most important aspect of the country’s agriculture is the
growing of crops. Crops account for about half of all of Mexico’s
agricultural output. The main crops produced in the country
include sugarcane, corn, wheat, peppers, sorghum, bananas,
avocados, beans, blue agave, various tropical fruits, and more. Of
all the crops, the most important for consumption within the
country are corn, wheat, beans, and sorghum. The most
important crops exported include coffee, sugar, fruits, and
vegetables.
Mexico’s Livestock
Livestock accounts for a percentage of Mexico’s agricultural
output. Livestock produces eggs, milk, poultry, and beef. The
northern part of Mexico has been considered the most important
ranching area in the country since the time of the Mexican War of
Independence.