(Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images)
(Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images)
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Overview of Mexico
![](/static-atlas/assets/img/news/best-countries/globes/Mexico.png)
- Capital
- Mexico City
- Region
- North America
- GDP Per Capita, PPP
- $20,616
- GDP
- $1.2 trillion
- Population
- 126,190,788
- Area
- 1,964,375 SQ.KM
Overview of Mexico
Bordered by the Pacific Ocean on its West and the Gulf of Mexico to its East, Mexico is the third-largest country in Latin America and has the second-largest economy. The nation is one of contrasts, with terrain encompassing arid lands and Caribbean coastlines and a society that has extremes of wealth and poverty.
Once home of the Maya, Aztec and other ancient civilizations, Mexico was ruled by Spain starting in the early 16th century. Administered by Spain for three centuries, the country achieved independence early in the 19th century, first as a short-lived empire and then as a republic in 1824.
Mexico is a federal republic with 31 states and one federal district. The country has a developing market economy with strong links to the U.S., long a major trading partner, although the U.S. president has pledged to change the terms of the relationship in coming years. Mexican workers living in the U.S. send billions of dollars back to their country each year. Most of the Mexican economy relies on services - with trade, transportation, finance and government accounting for about two-thirds of gross domestic product. The country has increasingly turned toward manufacturing, and is a major exporter and producer of oil.
Mexico is home to the world’s largest population of Spanish speakers, and it has made a large cultural imprint in Latin America and beyond. The country’s famous writers include Samuel Ramos, Octavio Paz and Carlos Fuentes. Mexico’s best known art form is the mural, which draws from the art of the Aztec, Maya and other pre-Columbian civilizations. The country’s film industry is one of the region’s largest, and many Mexican actors and filmmakers have received international recognition for their work. As in many Latin American countries, soccer is a widely shared obsession.
[Explore the top universities in Mexico.]
Mexico faces a range of domestic challenges, including low wages, income inequality and a lack of job opportunities for its indigenous population. Violent crime is a serious concern. Mexico has one of the world’s highest kidnapping rates, and deadly violence tied to drug cartels hit record levels in 2017.
Mexico is a member of several international organizations, including the United Nations and the Organization of American States.
Mexico Rankings
#33
Adventure | 65.8 | #11 |
---|---|---|
Citizenship | 8.7 | #41 |
Cultural Influence | 39.0 | #24 |
Entrepreneurship | 11.7 | #38 |
Heritage | 82.0 | #5 |
Movers | 39.4 | #24 |
Open for Business | 41.9 | #53 |
Power | 7.7 | #37 |
Quality of Life | 16.5 | #39 |
#33
Adventure | 65.8 | #11 |
---|---|---|
Citizenship | 8.7 | #41 |
Cultural Influence | 39.0 | #24 |
Entrepreneurship | 11.7 | #38 |
Heritage | 82.0 | #5 |
Movers | 39.4 | #24 |
Open for Business | 41.9 | #53 |
Power | 7.7 | #37 |
Quality of Life | 16.5 | #39 |
Attributes
- 89.5Fun
- 63.3Scenic
- 69.9Pleasant climate
- 59.1Friendly
- 35.8Sexy
Attributes
- 5.0Respects property rights
- 6.6Progressive
- 2.5Trustworthy
- 14.5Gender equality
- 0.4Well-distributed political power
- 3.9Cares about the environment
- 6.5Cares about human rights
- 42.4Religious freedom
Attributes
- 7.6Prestigious
- 86.7Culturally significant in terms of entertainment
- 18.7Fashionable
- 20.6Trendy
- 11.3Modern
- 68.4Has an influential culture
- 48.5Happy
Attributes
- 20.0Provides easy access to capital
- 3.7Well-developed infrastructure
- 4.8Transparent business practices
- 3.8Educated population
- 12.6Skilled labor force
- 14.2Entrepreneurial
- 42.7Connected to the rest of the world
- 6.0Innovative
- 4.0Technological expertise
- 4.7Well-developed legal framework
Attributes
- 69.6Culturally accessible
- 82.7Many cultural attractions
- 75.1Has a rich history
- 97.9Has great food
Attributes
- 43.7Distinctive
- 34.7Different
- 37.1Unique
- 34.6Dynamic
Attributes
- 97.8Corrupt
- 18.5Favorable tax environment
- 24.0Bureaucratic
- 1.0Transparent government practices
- 70.0Cheap manufacturing costs
Attributes
- 5.3Strong military
- 11.9Strong international alliances
- 11.7Economically influential
- 7.0Politically influential
- 4.6A leader
Attributes
- 4.0Economically stable
- 12.8A good job market
- 73.2Affordable
- 0.1Safe
- 4.4Politically stable
- 36.2Family friendly
- 1.5Well-developed public education system
- 1.8Well-developed public health system
- 2.8Income equality
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- Mexico
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Mexico in Photos
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