Mexico

United Mexican States (Estados Unidos Mexicanos)

Mexico is a cradle of ancient civilizations (Mayan, Aztec, Zapotec) and a major modern economy. Positioned between the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, it features incredible biodiversity, dramatic volcanic peaks, colonial silver towns, and UNESCO-recognized gastronomy.

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Quick Facts

Capital: Mexico City
Population: 129,000,000
Area: 1,964,375 km²
Currency: MXN ($)
Languages: Spanish
Continent: North America
Calling Code: +52
Driving Side: Right-hand
Internet TLD: .mx
Timezone(s): UTC-6
Highest Point: Pico de Orizaba (5,636 m)
Coastline: 9,330 km

Administrative Divisions

Jalisco

State · Guadalajara

Nuevo León

State · Monterrey

Puebla

State · Puebla

Yucatán

State · Mérida

Oaxaca

State · Oaxaca City

Mexico City

Federal Entity · Mexico City

Major Cities

Mexico City

Population: 9,200,000

Capital metropolis built on the lake basin of ancient Tenochtitlan

Guadalajara

Population: 1,400,000

Second largest metro area, birth city of mariachi and tequila

Monterrey

Population: 1,140,000

Industrial and financial center of northern Mexico

Ancient Mayan pyramid of Chichen Itza under a blue sky in Mexico — El Castillo pyramid at Chichen Itza, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico.Photo by Filip Gielda via Unsplash (Free License)

Geography

Flanked by the Sierra Madre Occidental and Oriental mountain systems, with the high Central Mexican Altiplano between them. Southern Mexico features dense tropical rain forests on the Yucatán Peninsula.

Climate

Ranges from arid desert in Baja California and Sonora to temperate in central highlands and tropical humid in southern coastal lowlands.

Famous Landmarks

Chichen Itza

Yucatán

Iconic Maya pyramid temple of Kukulcan, a New 7 Wonder of the World

Teotihuacan

State of Mexico

Massive pre-Columbian city with the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon

Copper Canyon

Chihuahua

Series of canyons larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon

Interesting Facts

Mexico is home to the world's largest pyramid by base volume, the Great Pyramid of Cholula.
Chocolate, corn, and chili peppers were first domesticated and cultivated in Mexico.
Mexico City is sinking at a rate of several inches per year due to historical aquifer extraction.

Geography Facts

Mexico City is sinking by up to 50 centimeters every year.

Constructed on the ancient clay lakebed of Lake Texcoco by the Spanish over the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, Mexico City suffers from severe land subsidence caused by centuries of groundwater extraction. Some historic buildings and cathedrals visibly lean as a result.

Geography FactsLearn more Source: INEGI Mexico