Mexico

Demographics

Population

Population—106,202,903

Infant mortality rate—20.9/1,000

Life expectancy—75.2

Capital City

Mexico City (21,233,900) pop.

Geography

Almost three times the size of Texas, Mexico (761,602 sq. mi.) has a wide range of topography and rainfall ranging from arid northern plateau, central volcanic plateau, and the southern mountains and rain forests.

Languages

Spanish

Mayan

Nahuatl

other indigenous languages

Ethnicity/Race

Mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish)—60%

Amerindian—30%

White—9%

other—1%

Economy

Per capita income—$9,600

Inflation—5.4%

Unemployment—3.2%

Literacy rate—92% (2003 est.)

Government/Political Climate

Federal republic. Mexico gained independence in 19th century. A devaluation of the peso in 1994 threw Mexico into economic turmoil. The nation continues to make an impressive recovery, but ongoing concerns include low wages and underemployment.

Religion

Nominally Roman Catholic—89%

Protestant—6%

other—5%