General+information+MEXICO


 * Basic Facts:**


 * Geography**- It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico. Mexico is almost two million square kilometres (over 760,000 sq mi). Mexico is crossed from north to south by two mountain ranges known as Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre Occidental. Also, Mexico is crossed by the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt also known as the Sierra Nevada. The capital is Mexico City. The 5 major cities in Mexico are Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, León, and Puebla.


 * History-** Critical Junctures--> Independence and Instability; The Porfiriato; The Revolution of 1910 and the Sonoran Dynasty; Lazaro Cardenas, Agrarian Reform, and the Workers; The Politics of Rapid Developmment; Crisis and Reform; After September 11

History of the Statehood--> 1810-1821- war of independence from Spain; 1917- making of the Mexican Constitution; 1994- NAFTA went into effect; U.S. Invasion -The Mexican-American War (1846 - 1848); Loss of Texas and portion of California (1848)

U.S.-->Ambassador Arturo SARUKHAN Casamitjana; Diplomatic representation from the U.S. --> Ambassador Carlos PASCUAL
 * Important Leaders-** Chief of state and head of government--> President Felipe de Jesus CALDERON Hinojosa; Diplomatic representation in the


 * Government Type-** Federal Republic


 * Religions-** Major religions in Mexico are Roman Catholic, Protestant, unspecified religion,and no religions.


 * Economy-** GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.465 trillion (2009 est.), GDP (official exchange rate): $1.017 trillion (2009 est.), GDP - real growth rate: -6.5% (2009 est.), GDP - per capita (PPP): $13,200 (2009 est.), GNP: $753 billion


 * Literacy**- literacy rates: Male--> 86.9% ; Female--> 85.3% (15 years and over that can read and write)

School enrollment: Female--> 13 years ; Male--> 14 years (years expected to stay in school)


 * Other Interesting Facts-**