Mexico’s Geography

Mexico

A glimpse• 112.4 million people▫ 60% mestizo ▫ 30% indigenous▫ 10% Caucasians/European descent

• Population density twice that of the U.S.• Area 1/5 the size of the U.S.• Predominantly urban (75% of the pop.)• Cities are growing as work cannot be found

in countryside• Most people can read and write• Sanitation, communication, and electricity

are available almost anywhere• Modern health facilities• Regional diversity

What do you see? – The North

North continued

What do you see? – The Central

What do you see? – The South

South continued

The North• A frontier region comparable to

the U.S. West ▫ old and new▫ environmental issues▫ water resources

• Philosophies heavily influenced by the U.S. – particularly individualism

• Big on import and export business• Prefer private enterprise to state

ownership• Complain about excessive state

interference• It is wealthier than the rest of the

country

The Central• View themselves as “urbane

and cosmopolitan”• See northerners as

barbarians and “rough around the edges”

• Support state action within economy and social institutions

• Many work for the state• Big on heavy industry• Nearly 25% of the

population lives in Mexico City (~20.4 million people)

The South

• Agrarian• High concentration of indigenous peoples• Live in traditional villages• Practice communal farming (ejidos)• Reject private ownership of land• Fight to maintain control of local governments• Rain forest and ancient ruins attract tourists

Final Notes• Geography has historically made

communication and transportation difficult

• Infrastructure development is incredibly expensive

• Soil erosion and desertification are growing problems

• Whites (Caucasians and “white mestizos”) have a better chance of going to college, getting a job, making money, and having a nice home.

• Mexicans and Indians have a high risk of infant mortality, malnutrition, poverty, low-paying jobs, and unemployment.