1. Mexico – our southern neighbor

2. Mexico – our southern neighbor
14th largest country in the world (area)
About 3 times the size of Texas
Population – about 114 million (11th largest in the world)
Mexico consists of 31 states and 1 federal district

3. Mexico’s land Shares 2,000 mile border with the U.S.
Rio Grande/Rio Bravo del Norte forms large part of that border
Country dominated by mountains (largely created by volcanic mountains)
Sierra Madres
Oriental - east
Occidental - west
Del Sur – south
Yucatan Peninsula

4. Mexico’s plateau Plateau – large raised area of mostly level land
Most of Mexico’s people live on the country’s central plateau area
Lies between the Sierra Madres

5. National capital – mexico city
Mexico City, located in the federal district, is Mexico’s capital
Mexico is led by a President who is elected for a 6-year term
Andrés Manuel López Obrador
Similar government structure to the U.S. (two houses in legislative branch)

6. The people of mexico
Many people consider themselves to be a mestizo – person of mixed Spanish and Native ancestry
Largest Spanish speaking country in the world
More than 90% identify themselves as Catholic

7. Economy of mexico
Service and manufacturing jobs are a huge part of Mexico’s economy
Less than 13% of Mexico’s land can be used for agriculture, so they depend upon other natural resources
World leader in silver production
7th largest oil producer

8. How much is Mexico Worth
$1.6 Trillion (12th in the world)
GDP- Gross Domestic Product - total value of goods and services made within the country
Gross (Total) Domestic (Home) Product (Goods and services)
Mexio’s GDP relies on Tourism and Natural Resources

9. Finding work
Growing urban areas have made it more difficult for people to find jobs
Many have found work in maquiladoras – border factories where U.S. employers often pay lower wages to workers

10. nafta North American Free Trade Agreement
1994 agreement that made it easier to import and export goods between Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.

11. Early history of mexico
Mexico’s history dates back to some of the earliest ancient civilizations
Spain sent conquistadors to conquer the earliest people in area – conqueror in charge of gaining land and wealth

12. Mexico’s independence
Mexico began their quest for independence from Spain in 1810
1821 – Mexico became an independent nation

13. Working together
Three countries are interdependent of each other – depend on one another for support
Economic, defense, international, etc.
The leaders of all three countries meet each year at the North American Leaders Summit