MexicoOur Southern Neighbor

Presented by:Patrick, Karen, Soren,

Melissa, Shannon, & Aphrodite

History of Mexico

History

Early History• The Olmecs

– 1200 to 600 B.C.– First Known Civilization

• The Mayans– 250 to 900 A.D.– Pre-Columbian America’s most brilliant civilization

• The Aztecs– 1195 to 1522 A.D.– Last pre-Columbian civilization

History

Middle History• Spaniard Hernán Cortés and the Conquistadors arrived 1519• Cortés conquered Aztecs

– 1521– Colonized the area– Named it Nueva España (New Spain)

History

Recent History• 1810 – Miguel Hidalgo issued call to rebellion• 1821 – Vincent Guerrero and Agustín de Itúrbide collaborated to gain independence

Demographics

Demographics

Total Population of Mexico• 111,211,789

Demographics

Life Expectancy Birth Rate vs. Death Rate

70

71

72

73

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

Women

Men

73

Demographics

Literacy (Age 15+ can read and write)• 91% of total population• 92.4% of male population• 89.6% of female population

School Life Expectancy (primary-tertiary education)• Total: 13 years• Male: 14 years• Female: 13 years

Trade Economy

World Trade Center in Mexico City

Trade

Overview• 11th largest trade economy in the World• Largest trade economy in Latin America• Export oriented economy• Most free trade agreements in the World• 12 FTAs with 44 countries• NAFTA is by far the biggest FTA, accounting for 50%

Countries with which Mexico has signed a FTA NAFTA

Trade

Exports• 6th largest oil producer in the World• Crude oil, car parts, video equipment, etc.• Fastest growing - tin, gold, sugar and natural gas• Primary export partners - USA, Canada and Europe

Imports• 12th largest import nation in the World• Electronics, plastics and petroleum products• Fastest growing imports - tobacco, coins and nuclear

fuels• Primary import partners - USA, Canada and Brazil

Religion

Religion

Religion of Mexico• 1951 Herman Cortes conquered Mexico accompanied by

Catholic Clergy• Roughly 92% Roman Catholic

Religion

Religious Rituals• The passion play of Iztapalapa• Popular and biggest celebration• More than 1 million visitors• 150 year-old tradition

Religion

The Virgin of Guadalupe• The nation’s patron saint• Shrine in Mexico City• First appeared near hill of Tepeyac in 1531

The Tourism Industry

Tourism

The Industry•#1 Latin American destination•#2 Americas destination•#10 Worldwide destination

The Tourists•Majority U.S. & Canada•Many from Europe & Asia•Few from Latin America

Tourism

3 Leading Tourism Areas•Yucatan Peninsula

– Riviera Maya/Caribbean Riviera– Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum

•Mexican Riviera– 2,000 miles of Pacific coast– Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta

•Center of the Country– Mexico City, Copper Canyon, Morelia

Tourism

Tourism Issues•Unsafe conditions limit vacation•Tourists kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo•Drug Cartel harass tourists•Bystanders killed at political events•Shootings on major highways•Viruses and contamination

Traditional Mexican Food

Food

Cultural Influence• Mayan• Spanish• French

Food

Mayan Influences• Traditionally nomadic hunters and gatherers• Wildlife animals

Food

Spanish Influences• Introduction of different meats• Imported fruits and spices

Food

French Influences• Introduced baked goods• Wine

Food

Tex-Mex

AnyQuestions?