Country Summary
Introduction
Background
The site of several advanced Amerindian civilizations - including the Olmec, Toltec, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Maya, and Aztec - Mexico was conquered and colonized by Spain in the early 16th century. Administered as the Viceroyalty of New Spain for three centuries, it achieved independence early in the 19th century.
Geography
Area
total: 1,964,375 sq km
land: 1,943,945 sq km
water: 20,430 sq km
Climate
varies from tropical to desert
Natural resources
petroleum, silver, antimony, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber
People and Society
Population
129,150,971 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups
Mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 62%, predominantly Amerindian 21%, Amerindian 7%, other 10% (mostly European) (2012 est.)
Languages
Spanish only 93.8%, Spanish and indigenous languages 5.4%, indigenous only 0.6%, unspecified 0.2%; note - indigenous languages include various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional languages (2020 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant/evangelical Christian 11.2%, other 0.002%, unaffiliated (includes atheism) 10.6% (2020 est.)
Population growth rate
0.51% (2022 est.)
Government
Government type
federal presidential republic
Capital
name: Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)
Executive branch
chief of state: President Andres Manuel LOPEZ OBRADOR (since 1 December 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Andres Manuel LOPEZ OBRADOR (since 1 December 2018)
Legislative branch
description: bicameral National Congress or Congreso de la Union consists of:
Senate or Camara de Senadores (128 seats; 96 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 32 directly elected in a single, nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms)
Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (500 seats; 300 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 200 directly elected in a single, nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 3-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
one of the world’s largest economies; USMCA buttresses its manufacturing sector; has underperformed growth targets for three decades; COVID-19 disrupted export-based economy; corruption and cartel-based violence undermine economic stability
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$2,306,320,000,000 (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$17,900 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, maize, milk, oranges, sorghum, tomatoes, poultry, wheat, green chillies/peppers, eggs
Industries
food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism
Exports
$434.93 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
United States 75% (2019)
Exports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, computers, delivery trucks, crude petroleum, insulated wiring (2019)
Imports
$410.66 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
United States 54%, China 14% (2019)
Imports - commodities
integrated circuits, refined petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, office machinery/parts, telephones (2019)
Exchange rates
Mexican pesos (MXN) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Tuesday, July 05, 2022
