Page 599 - Visitor Guides

fact file Mexico showing the location Socorro
RIGHT: Western Hemisphere
map showing Mexico.
BELOW: Satellite map of

Mexico of Mexico’s Revillagigedos (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, LIVE-A-BOARD DIVE OPERATIONS
Archipelago
Amerindian or predominantly Solmar V
Amerindian 30%, white 9%, 1-866-591-4906 or 310-455-3600
other 1%. Religions: nominally www.solmarv.com
Roman Catholic 89%, Protes- Nautilus Explorer
tant 6%, other groups 5%. 1-888-434-8322 or 604-657-7614
www.nautilusexplorer.com
Languages Spanish, various
Mayan, Nahuatl and other regional
indigenous languages. HOTELS
History An ancient land of Guatemala and the US. The coun- Best Western Quinta del Sol
advanced Amerindian civilizations, try’s terrain is filled with high, rug- Deco Chambers 624-144-4500
Mexico succombed to Spanish ged mountains and plateaus, low CABO SAN LUCAS Solmar Suites
rule for 300 years before gaining coastal plains and desert. Lowest Baja California Sur 1-800-344-3349 or 310-459-9861
independence in the early part point: Laguna Salada -10 m; Multiplace Chamber www.solmarsuites.com
of the 19th century. Mexico was Highest point: Volcan Pico de Oriza- Clinica de Especialidades Playa Grande Resort
thrown into economic turmoil ba 5,700 m. Coastline: 9,330 km. Av. Lopez Mateos 1-800-344-3349
after a devaluation of the peso Cabo San Lucas, BCS www.playagranderesort.com
hit the country in late 1994. It trig- Climate varies from desert to Ph. +52 (624) 143 3666 Los Patios Hotel
gered the worst recession in over tropical. Natural hazards: hurricanes e-mail: baja@sssnetwork.com 1-888-582-8442 (USA)
50 years. But the country continues on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and 1-866-799-6238 (Canada)
to make leaps in its recovery while Caribbean coasts, tsunamis along Web sites www.lospatioshotel.com
economic and social concerns the Pacific coast, volcanoes and Protocol, Desertification, Endan- prove infrastructure, modernization Mexico Tourism Board
continue to challenge the nation, destructive earthquakes in the gered Species, Hazardous Wastes, of the tax system and labor laws, www.visitmexico.com CONSERVATION ORGANIzATIONS
including underemployment for center and south. Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, and allowing private investment in The Manta Network
large numbers of citizens, low real Marine Life Conservation, Ozone the energy sector. Challenges also
wages, unequal income distribu- Environmental issues include Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, inclue boosting economic growth,
tion, and few opportunites for a lack of proper hazardous waste Wetlands, Whaling. improving Mexico’s international
advancement for Amerindian disposal facilities and natural fresh competitiveness, and reducing
indivituals in the poor southern water resources with pollution mar- Economic Mexico’s free market poverty. Natural resources: petro-
states. In 2000, election results ring the northern reservoirs, poor economy has recently entered the leum, silver, copper, gold, lead,
marked the first time since the quality or inaccessible sources in trillion dollar class. A blend of mod- zinc, natural gas, timber. Agricul-
Mexican Revolution in 1910 that the rest of the nation; industrial ern and outmoded industry and ture: corn, wheat, soybeans, rice,
the opposing party defeated the pollution and raw sewage affect agriculture is increasingly domi- beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, toma-
incumbant party in government, rivers in urban areas; rural popula- nated by the private sector. The toes; beef, poultry, dairy products;
the Institutional Revolutionary Party tions are moving to urban areas, government has expanded com- wood products. Industry: food and
(PRI). In December of that year, widespread erosion; desertification; petition in seaports, railroads, tel- beverages, tobacco, chemicals,
Vicente FOX of the National Action deforestation; deteriorating agri- ecommunications, electricity gen- iron and steel, petroleum, mining,
Party (PAN) became the first chief cultural lands; serious water and air eration, natural gas distribution and textiles, clothing, motor vehicles,
executive elected in free and fair pollution in the nation’s capital and airports. Per capita income is one- consumer durables, tourism. Note:
elections. Government: federal urban centers along US-Mexico fourth that of the US. NAFTA has Corn (maize) is thought to have
republic. Capital: Mexico (Distrito border; groundwater depletion tripled trade with the US and Can- originated in Mexico. It is one of the
Federal) causing subsidence in Valley of ada since 1994. Ninety percent of world’s major grain crops.
Mexico. Note: Lack of clean water Mexican trade is under free trade
Geography Mexico is located and deforestation are now consid- agreements with over 40 countries Currency Mexican peso (MXN).
in central or middle America, ered national security issues by the including, Guatemala, Honduras, El Exchange rates: 1EUR=14.14 MXN,
bordering the Caribbean Sea and government. Mexico has entered Salvador, the European Free Trade 1USD=10.95 MXN, 1GBP=21.47 MXN
the Gulf of Mexico, between the some international agreements Area, and Japan. Current admin-
US and Belize and bordering the including Biodiversity, Climate istration is mired by congressional Population 107,449,525 (July
North Pacific Ocean, between Change, Climate Change-Kyoto opposition against measures to im- 2006 est.) Ethnic groups: mestizo

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