| Revision as of 00:09, 30 August 2002 view sourceBrooke Vibber (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users10,086 edits Brief brief overview on geography← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:11, 31 August 2002 view source Jaknouse (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users6,836 edits removed word "dry"; deserts are, by definition, dryNext edit → | ||
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| Mexico is located in southern ], bordered on the north by the ], on the southeast by ] and ], on the west by the ] and ] and on the east by the ] and ]. | Mexico is located in southern ], bordered on the north by the ], on the southeast by ] and ], on the west by the ] and ] and on the east by the ] and ]. | ||
| The terrain and climate vary from |
The terrain and climate vary from ]s in the north to humid tropical ] in the south. | ||
| === Economy === | === Economy === | ||
Revision as of 19:11, 31 August 2002
] The United Mexican States or Mexico is a country located in North America, bordered to the north by the United States to the south by Guatemala and Belize, to the west by the Pacific Ocean and to the east by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
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| National motto: (none) | |||||
| Official language: | Spanish | ||||
| Capital: | Mexico City | ||||
| President: | Vicente Fox | ||||
| Area - Total: - % water: | Ranked 13th 1,972,550 km² 0.025% | ||||
| Population
- Density: | Ranked 11th
51/km² | ||||
| Independence
- Recognised: | from Spain
1824 | ||||
| Currency: | Peso | ||||
| Time zone: | UTC -8 to UTC -6 | ||||
| National anthem: | Mexicanos, al grito de guerra | ||||
| Internet TLD: | .MX | ||||
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History
Main article: History of Mexico
Mexico was the site of several advanced Indian civilisations, such as the Mayans and the Aztecs. The arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century and their defeat of the Aztecs in 1521 marked the beginning of the colonial period of Mexico as a part of New Spain.
In 1810, independence from Spain was declared, causing a long war eventually leading to independence in 1824. After independence, Mexican territory slowly decreased in size, losing and selling ground to the United States (see Mexican-American War).
The long, undemocratic regime of Porfirio Diaz lead to the Mexican Revolution in 1910. Revolutionary forces defeated the federal army, but were left with internal struggles, leaving the country in conflict for two more decades.
(more on 20th century)
Politics
Main article: Politics of Mexico
The goverment is organized as a Democratic Federal Republic with division of powers (executive power, held by the president of the republic; legislative power, represented by the congress and the judiciary power).
States
Main article States of Mexico
Mexico is divided into 31 states (estados) and 1 Federal District (Distrito Federal), which contains the capital, Mexico City.
- Aguascalientes
- Baja California (Norte)
- Baja California Sur
- Campeche
- Chiapas
- Chihuahua
- Coahuila
- Colima
- Durango: Durango
- Guanajuato
- Guerrero
- Hidalgo
- Jalisco
- México (Estado de)
- Michoacán
- Morelos
- Nayarit
- Nuevo Leon
- Oaxaca
- Puebla
- Querétaro
- Quintana Roo
- San Luis Potosí
- Sinaloa
- Sonora
- Tabasco
- Tamaulipas
- Tlaxcala
- Veracruz
- Yucatán
- Zacatecas
Geography
Main article: Geography of Mexico
Mexico is located in southern North America, bordered on the north by the United States, on the southeast by Guatemala and Belize, on the west by the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California and on the east by the Guld of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
The terrain and climate vary from deserts in the north to humid tropical rain forest in the south.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Mexico
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Mexico
Culture
Main article: Culture of Mexico
See also: Mexican food
| Date | English Name | Local Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 5 | Cinco de Mayo | 1862 victory against French forces | |
| September 16 | Independence Day | Dieciseis de Septiembre | Independence from Spain, 1810 (see also Fiestas Patrias) |