Country Overview

 THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES COUNTRY OVERVIEW Project C.U.R.E. Clinics MEXICO FACTS CAPITAL: Mexico City CURRENCY: Mexican Peso PRESIDENT: Enrique Peña Nieto OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Spanish GOVERNMENT: Presidential System POPULATION: 118.4 million (2013) Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is in Central America, bordered by the U.S. to the north, Guatemala and Belize to the south, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. LAND AND CLIMATE SIZE: 1,972,550 square kilometers, approximately three times the size of the state of Texas GEOGRAPHY: Mexico is the fifth largest country in the Americas and is considered to be entirely located in North America. The country is extremely mountainous, crossed by the Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre Occidental from north to south and the Trans-­‐Mexican Volcanic Belt (Sierra Nevada) at the center, which runs east to west. A fourth mountain range, the Sierra Madre del Sur, is located in southern Mexico. Mexico lies between latitudes 14° and 33° N and longitudes 86° and 119° W. CLIMATE: Mexico is divided into temperate and tropical zones by the Tropic of Cancer. Land to the north has cooler temperatures during the winter months, whereas land to the south remains fairly constant throughout the year. Temperatures in the south vary depending on elevation. The Trans-­‐Mexican Volcanic Belt is home to the Valley of Mexico. Many of Mexico’s large cities are located either in the Valley of Mexico, or in valleys with altitudes about Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 1
6,562 ft. The elevation ensures a relatively stable climate, with the average temperature ranging from 60° to 64° F. Mexico City, the capital, is located in the Valley of Mexico and is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. The city was built on what was Lake Texcoco and is at an elevation of roughly 7,200 feet above sea level. The average temperature in Mexico City ranges from 54° to 61° F and is rarely below 37° F or above 86° F. The elevation provides cooler periods in the evenings. During the summer months (June – October), precipitation is very high, but there is little to no rainfall throughout the remainder of the year. HISTORY Mexico’s history spans a period of over three millennia. First populated over 13,000 years ago, Mexico can be said to have had five major civilizations: the Olmec, the Teotihuacan, the Maya, the Toltec and the Aztec. All but the Maya extended their sphere of influence across Mexico, consolidating power and creating systems of trade throughout the region. The rise of the Aztec Civilization was marked by military prowess and ambition. In 1325 the Aztecs founded Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco. Tenochtitlan became the capital of the Mexican empire and was the largest city in the Pre-­‐Columbian Americas with a population estimated at 350,000. The Aztec empire did not destroy the cultures they conquered; rather, they required that all participants abide by common cultural “rules.” In 1519, the arrival of Hernán Cortés at the port of Veracruz signaled the end of the Aztec Empire. Along with vicious fighting and massacres, an epidemic of smallpox decimated the Aztec population, and the territory became a part of the Spanish Empire with the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521. The colonial period saw the mixing of Spaniards with the indigenous people, creating the mestizo population that constitutes the majority of Mexico’s current population. Education was highly encouraged, resulting in the emergence of many important Mexican literary works, as well as the construction of cathedrals, forts and other colonial cities. In 1810, the Mexican War of Independence was ignited by a revolt led by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. The war culminated in the signing of both the Treaty of Córdoba and the Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 2
Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire. The Empire lasted only two years, and in 1824 a Republican Constitution was drafted with Guadalupe Victoria elected as the first President of the United Mexican States. Throughout the 19th century, Mexico was consistently tested and tried by other nations and inner forces to retain its unity. Slavery was abolished in 1829, and economic instability led to the establishment of a dictatorship in 1836. After a French military occupation, the empire but was quickly revolted against by people angry about the outside influence. At the end of the century, Porfirio Díaz emerged as a successful politician and was reelected to the presidency five consecutive times. His government made many economic achievements but also suffered from political repression and economic inequality. The early 20th century saw another episode of politically charged violence, specifically the Mexican Revolution that resulted in a 19-­‐year fight for political power. The socialist Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) emerged victorious, and from 1929 to 2000, the PRI maintained a monopoly over the government. In 1988, electoral fraud resulted in the loss of the presidency by a leftist, and Carlos Salinas de Gortari was elected. He rapidly began a program of neo-­‐liberal reforms, which culminated in the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994. In 2000, the candidate from the National Action Party (PAN) was elected to the presidency, ending the 71 years of one-­‐party rule. GOVERNMENT The three main political parties in Mexico are the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), the National Action Party (PAN) and the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD). The current government of Mexico is a federal republic, divided into a central government to share sovereignty over the 31 individual Mexican state governments. The central government has three branches: executive, legislative and judicial. The President of Mexico serves as both head of state and head of government. Voting is universal and compulsory, with the minimum age set at 18. Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 3
At present, the office of the president is considered to be Revolutionary because the presidential powers are derived from the 1917 Revolutionary Constitution. Mexican presidents are limited to a single six-­‐year term, and once the post has been held, that person may never run or serve as president again. The current president of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, exercises his power from Los Pinos located inside the Bosque de Chapultepec in Mexico City. The National Palace is the official seat of the Executive Power but is only used for ceremonies and national holidays. State governments of Mexico are sovereign governments formed in every Mexican state. Each government is structured in accordance with the constitution of its respective state and is comprised of three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. All states are both independent and autonomous in their internal administration. The current constitution was drafted during the Mexican Revolution and approved in 1917. Though it has been amended many times, most recently in 2014, the Constitution of 1917 was the first to set out social rights. It was also used as a model for other constitutions such as the Weimar Constitution of 1919 and the Russian Constitution of 1918. ECONOMY Mexico’s $1.3 trillion economy has been increasingly oriented toward manufacturing since the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Mexico currently has free-­‐trade agreements with over 50 countries. The electronics and automobile industries account for nearly 80% of Mexico’s exports. Other exports include manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits, vegetables, coffee and cotton. CURRENCY The Mexican peso is the currency of Mexico. The modern peso shares its origins with the US dollar, dating back to the 15th-­‐19th centuries and the use of the Spanish dollar in the Americas. This explains the use of the ‘$’ for the sign for the Mexican peso. The peso is currently the 8th most traded currency in the world. Bank notes come in values of $20, Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 4
$50, $100, $200, $500, and $1000 (though $1000 bills are rarely seen). Coins, called centavos, come in denominations of 50₡, $1, $2, $5, $10. (Rarely used are the 5₡, 10₡, 20₡ and $20 centavos.) CULTURE The population of Mexico is estimated at about 119,700,000, making it the world’s most populous Spanish-­‐speaking country. Mexico is ethnically diverse, with various indigenous people and European immigrants united under a single national identity. The core of Mexican national identity is based on a synthesis of European cultures with the Indigenous cultures. Spanish is spoken by 98.8% of the population, and there are 68 legally recognized native language groups. In 2005, there were 10.1 million Mexicans who spoke an indigenous language. Mexican culture is based in the country’s complex history of blending indigenous cultures, as well as incorporating the culture of Spain. This mixture has created the art, cuisine, literature and music that is representative of the ancient civilizations, as well as the transition to the more contemporary way of life. Mainstream Mexican culture is defined by its mestizo majority, an identity that is more cultural than biological. People of all ethnicities identify with the mestizo identity, and as such, the term ‘mestizo’ has long been abandoned in Mexican ethnic censuses. The post-­‐revolutionary governments are responsible for this modern Mexican identity, as they worked to assimilate indigenous communities into the Mestizo Mexican culture so all thought of themselves as mestizos. The category of indígena (indigenous) is defined as people who self-­‐identify as having an indigenous cultural background. However, an individual of pure indigenous genetic heritage would be described as a mestizo should they either reject their indigenous culture or not speak the indigenous language. The majority of the indigenous population is concentrated in the central and southern states, and many indigenous communities have a degree of autonomy to regulate internal issues under their customary laws. CUISINE: Mexican cuisine is a fusion of indigenous Mesoamerican cooking with European elements. The native foods, such as corn, beans and chili peppers, are still the main staples in Mexican cuisine. Mexico’s eating culture is heavily influenced by Spanish customs, such as consuming a smaller breakfast and dinner, with a large lunch in Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 5
between. Mexican cuisine is heavily tied to the culture and popular traditions of the country, with food playing an important role in different holidays and celebrations. Due to food’s elaborate role in society, Mexican cuisine is listed by UNESCO as an “intangible cultural heritage.” While foods can vary greatly depending on the region, there are many foods that are present across the country. Corn, tomatoes, chocolate, spices, avocadoes, beans, papaya, vanilla and chili pe ppers, are found in dishes across the country. Tortillas, thin, round pancakes made from corn, accompany most meals. Mole poblano, a sauce made with chili peppers and chocolate, has been referred to as the country’s “national dish.” Mole is a very important part of Mexican festivals and traditions and is typically eaten on special occasions because it is a very complex dish. RELIGION: Catholicism is a predominant aspect of life in Mexico. Most of the population is Catholic, followed by other Christian denominations and few of other religions. Much of society is centered on Catholic beliefs and teachings. ETIQUETTE: Mexicans are extremely polite, ceremonious and communicate in a more formal manner. When meeting others, use direct eye contact and a handshake both when arriving and leaving. When addressing others, always use proper professional or academic titles such as “doctor.” If the individual does not have a title, address them as “señor” or “señora”, along with their surname. Do not use a person’s first name unless they invite you to call them by their first name; it is considered extremely rude to do otherwise. Mexicans tend to communicate indirectly, speaking very diplomatically and with courtesy. Be sure to pay attention to the ways in which you are communicating nonverbally and avoid blunt communication because it is seen as extremely rude. Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 6
COMMON WORDS AND PHRASES Most Mexicans speak Spanish, though many speak other native languages. Although most features of Mexican Spanish are universal to the Spanish-­‐speaking world, there are several idiosyncrasies. ENGLISH PHRASE SPANISH TRANSLATION How are you? ¿Cómo estás? I’m fine Estoy bien Thank you Gracias Please Por favor Can you help me? ¿Me puede ayudar? Do you speak English? ¿Hablas inglés? I don’t speak Spanish No hablo español Hello/Good bye Hola/Adios PRINCIPAL CITIES MEXICO CITY Officially known as México, D.F. or simply F.D., Mexico City is the federal district, capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the union. It is not part of any of Mexico’s 31 states but belongs to the federation as a whole. It is both the oldest capital city in the Americas and one of two capitals founded by Amerindians. AREA: 573 sq. miles WEATHER: Subtropical highland climate; Average annual temperature ranging from 54 -­‐61° F. POINTS OF INTEREST: Historic center of Mexico City, “floating gardens” of Xochimilco, Paseo de la Reforma, Chapultepec Park CUERNAVACA Cuernavaca is the capital and largest city of the state of Morelos in South-­‐Central Mexico. It was established by the Olmec approximately 3,200 years ago and was nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring” in the 19th century. Owing to its warm, stable climate, it has traditionally been a center of Mexican society and glamor. Even Aztec emperors had summer residences here! Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 7
WEATHER: Tropical savanna climate; Average annual temperature: 70 °F. POINTS OF INTEREST: Palace of Cortés, Morelos and Juárez Gardens, Cuernavaca Cathedral TABASCO One of Mexico’s 31 states, Tabasco is located in southeastern Mexico; its capital is Villahermosa, which translates into “beautiful village”. Unlike the rest of Mexico, Tabasco is covered in rainforest and experiences plentiful rainfall year round. The state is home to La Venta, the major site of the Olmec civilization. WEATHER: Four principle ecosystems are found in Tabasco: tropical rainforest, tropical savannah, beaches and wetlands. Tabasco has a hot, tropical climate, with the Gulf of Mexico having a significant influence over weather patterns. Average temperatures remain around 90°F year round, even with the state’s abundant precipitation. POINTS OF INTEREST: Cultural Center of Villahermosa, Tabasco Cathedral, La Venta, Malpasito, Yumka Ecological Reserve CAMPECHE The historic fortified town of Campeche, officially San Francisco de Campeche, is the capital of the state of Campeche in southeastern Mexico. The Spanish founded the port city in 1540 at the site of the original Mayan city. Its architecture and state of preservation earned the city its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. WEATHER: Tropical savanna climate. Rain mainly falls between June and October during the wet season, however, even with the rain, the average temperature stays around 80° to 90°F. POINTS OF INTEREST: Baluarte de Santiago, Baluarate San Francisco, Puerta del Mar, Carvajal Mansión, La Casa de las Artesanías Tukulná PUEBLA Formally known as Puebla de los Ángeles, Puebla is the capital of the state of Puebla in southeastern Mexico. Founded in 1531, the city is famous for its various architectural styles, rich history, mole poblano, chiles en nogada and Talavera pottery. Puebla is Mexico’s fourth largest city, is an important industrial center for Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 8
the country and offers spectacular views of the snow-­‐capped Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes. WEATHER: Subtropical highland climate moderated by its elevation of 7,217 ft. Due to this, it is rarely extremely hot in Puebla, with night temperatures staying relatively cool throughout the year. The dry season is experienced from October to May, with most rainfall occurring during the summer and early autumn. Average temperatures remain close to 63°F year round. POINTS OF INTEREST: The Zocalo, Puebla’s Historic Center, El Parian, Museo Amparo, Biblioteca Palafociana, Casa del Deán, Museo de la Revolución HEATH STATISTICS The Mexican healthcare system has made great improvements since the 1970s and ranks 65th in the world according to the World Health Organization. In 2012, Mexico installed a system of universal healthcare with the intention of providing highly affordable healthcare to its citizens. Mexico has also shown a rapid acceleration in lowering mortality rates in the last ten years. While healthcare reform is advancing in the country, quality and equity remain problematic for the Mexican healthcare system. Many of the hospitals and clinics remain undersupplied with equipment to treat the population to the highest standard. Additionally, different regions in Mexico receive vastly different healthcare opportunities, some being of excellent quality and others extremely substandard. Some of the greatest health problems in Mexico today include diabetes, liver and lung diseases and coronary heart disease, which is the leading cause of death. Other problems include various cancers, diarrheal diseases, malnutrition and rheumatoid arthritis. Project C.U.R.E. Clinics 9