6.3 Mexico Today

Government  Mexico has a democratic government. The same political party had controlled Mexico for 71 years until 2000 when Vincente Fox was elected president. The same political party had controlled Mexico for 71 years until 2000 when Vincente Fox was elected president. For many years the government controlled much of the country’s economic activity – today however, it has less control. For many years the government controlled much of the country’s economic activity – today however, it has less control.

Economy  Mexico is a developing country. It has struggled with debts to foreign banks, unemployment, and inflation (a rise in prices that occurs when currency loses its buying power). It has struggled with debts to foreign banks, unemployment, and inflation (a rise in prices that occurs when currency loses its buying power).

 Mexico’s economy is growing thanks to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which has made trade among Mexico, the United States, and Canada easier. Mexico’s agricultural and industrial exports have increased since NAFTA went into effect. Mexico’s agricultural and industrial exports have increased since NAFTA went into effect.

Agriculture  Agriculture is a key part of Mexico’s economy. Many farmers in Mexico practice slash- and-burn agriculture (the practice of burning forest in order to clear land for planting) Many farmers in Mexico practice slash- and-burn agriculture (the practice of burning forest in order to clear land for planting) Slash-and-burn agriculture can be a problem because inhaling the smoke can harm people’s health. Slash-and-burn agriculture can be a problem because inhaling the smoke can harm people’s health.

 Many farmers in Mexico grow cash crops (crops that farmers grow to mainly sell for profit). Trucks bring cash crops like fruits and vegetables from Mexico to the United States. Trucks bring cash crops like fruits and vegetables from Mexico to the United States.

Industry  Oil is an important export for Mexico. Many Mexicans work in the oil, mining, and manufacturing industries. Many Mexicans work in the oil, mining, and manufacturing industries.

 The fastest-growing industrial centers in Mexico lie along the U.S. border. Because they can pay Mexican workers less money, many U.S. and foreign companies have built factories in Mexico Because they can pay Mexican workers less money, many U.S. and foreign companies have built factories in Mexico Many Mexican workers also come to the United States to look for jobs that pay more than they can make at home. Many Mexican workers also come to the United States to look for jobs that pay more than they can make at home.

Tourism  Tourism also helps Mexico’s economy. Many tourists visit old colonial cities and Maya and Aztec monuments. Many tourists visit old colonial cities and Maya and Aztec monuments. Coastal cities and resorts such as Cancun and Acapulco are also popular vacation spots. Coastal cities and resorts such as Cancun and Acapulco are also popular vacation spots.

Mexico’s Culture Regions  Although all Mexicans share some cultural characteristics, we can divide Mexico into four regions based on regional differences. These 4 regions differ from each other in their population, resources, climate and other features. These 4 regions differ from each other in their population, resources, climate and other features.

Greater Mexico City  Includes the capital – Mexico City – and about 50 smaller cities near it. Mexico City has 19 million people and is the world’s second –largest city. Mexico City has 19 million people and is the world’s second –largest city.

 This region is very polluted because of all of the factories and cars. Because of this there is a great deal of smog (a mixture of smoke, chemicals, and fog) in this region. Because of this there is a great deal of smog (a mixture of smoke, chemicals, and fog) in this region. Smog can cause health problems like eye irritation and breathing difficulties. Smog can cause health problems like eye irritation and breathing difficulties.

 Wealth and poverty exist side by side in Mexico City. The city has large urban slums. The city has large urban slums.

Central Mexico  North of greater Mexico City. Cities were established as mining or ranching centers during the colonial period. Cities were established as mining or ranching centers during the colonial period.

 There are many fertile valleys here and small family farms. Farmers grow vegetables, corn, and wheat for sale, mostly to cities in Mexico. Farmers grow vegetables, corn, and wheat for sale, mostly to cities in Mexico.

Northern Mexico  One of the richest and modern areas in Mexico. Trade with the U.S. has helped this to happen. Trade with the U.S. has helped this to happen. Monterrey and Tijuana are major cities there. Monterrey and Tijuana are major cities there.

 There are many maquiladoras (U.S. and foreign-owned factories) that have been built along Mexico’s long border with the United States.

 This area is also very influenced by U.S. culture. American television, music, and other forms of entertainment are popular there. American television, music, and other forms of entertainment are popular there.

Southern Mexico  This is the least populated and industrialized region of the country. Many people in this region speak Indian languages and practice traditional ways of life. Many people in this region speak Indian languages and practice traditional ways of life. Subsistence farming and slash-and-burn agriculture are common. Subsistence farming and slash-and-burn agriculture are common.

 Sugarcane and coffee – two major export crops – are grown in this region making this region very important. Oil is also found along the Gulf Coast helps this region’s economy. Oil is also found along the Gulf Coast helps this region’s economy.

 The Yucatan Peninsula is in this region and it has become a major tourist destination. People wish to see the Maya ruins, beautiful beaches, and clear blue water. People wish to see the Maya ruins, beautiful beaches, and clear blue water.