Fast facts

Current weather in Mexico City

Mostly Cloudy 75 ^oF
Humidity: 22%
Wind: SE at 8 mph

Geography:
Area: 1,972,550 sq. km. (761,600 sq. mi.); about three times the size of Texas.

Cities: Capital--Mexico City (22 million, estimate for metro area). Other major cities--Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Acapulco, Merida, Leon, Veracruz.

Terrain: Terrain: Coastal lowlands, central high plateaus, and mountains up to 5,400 m. (18,000 ft.).

Climate: Tropical to desert.

People:
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Mexican(s).

Population:  (July 2009 est.): 111,211,789.

Population growth rate: 0.655%.

Ethnic groups: Indian-Spanish (mestizo) 60%, Indian 30%, Caucasian 9%, other 1%.

Religions (2000 census): Roman Catholic 76.5%, Protestant 6%, other 0.3%, unspecified 13.8%, none 3.1%.

Language: Spanish.

Education: Years compulsory--11 (note: preschool education was made mandatory in Dec. 2001). Literacy--91.4%.

Health (2009):  Life expectancy--male 73.25 years; female 79 years.

Work force (2008 est., 45.5 million): Agriculture, forestry, hunting, fishing--21.0%; services--32.2%; commerce--16.9%; manufacturing--18.7%; construction--5.6%; transportation and communication--4.5%; mining and quarrying--1.0%.

Government
Type: Federal republic.

Independence: First proclaimed September 16, 1810; republic established 1824.

Constitution: February 5, 1917.

Administrative subdivisions: 31 states and a federal district.

Political parties: Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), National Action Party (PAN), Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), Green Ecological Party (PVEM), Labor Party (PT), and several small parties.

Economy
Natural resources: Petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber.

Agriculture (4% of GDP): Products--corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes, beef, poultry, dairy products, wood products.

Industry (31% of GDP): Types--food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables.

Services (64% of GDP): Types--commerce and tourism, financial services, transportation and communications.

Trade (goods): Exports (2009)--$230 billion f.o.b. Imports (2009)--$234 billion f.o.b. Exports to U.S. (2009)--$185 billion (80% of total). Imports from U.S. (2009)--$112 billion (48% of total). Major markets--U.S., EU (5% of total), Canada (3.6% of total).

People:
Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world and the second most-populous country in Latin America after Portuguese-speaking Brazil. About 76% of the people live in urban areas. Many Mexicans emigrate from rural areas that lack job opportunities--such as the underdeveloped southern states and the crowded central plateau--to the industrialized urban centers and the developing areas along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to some estimates, the population of the area around Mexico City is nearly 22 million, which would make it the largest concentration of population in the Western Hemisphere. Cities bordering on the United States--such as Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez--and cities in the interior--such as Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Puebla--have undergone sharp rises in population in recent years.  Mexico has made great strides in improving access to education and literacy rates over the past few decades.

History:
Highly developed cultures, including those of the Olmecs, Mayas, Toltecs, and Aztecs, existed long before the Spanish conquest. Hernan Cortes conquered Mexico during the period 1519-21 and founded a Spanish colony that lasted nearly 300 years. Independence from Spain was proclaimed by Father Miguel Hidalgo on September 16, 1810. Father Hidalgo's declaration of national independence, “Viva Mexico!,” known in Mexico as the "Grito de Dolores," launched a decade-long struggle for independence from Spain. Prominent figures in Mexico's war for independence were: Father Jose Maria Morelos; Gen. Augustin de Iturbide, who defeated the Spaniards and ruled as Mexican emperor from 1822-23; and Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana, who went on to dominate Mexican politics from 1833 to 1855.

Map:

Places of interest/attractions

Riviera Maya

Located close to Cancun on the Yucutan Penninsula, this region’s brilliant white beaches, jungles, caves, cenotes- fresh water filled sink holes, and amazing Mayan ruins make it one of the most popular coastal destinations in Mexico.

La Huasteca

Located between the cities of San Luis Potosi and Tampico, this region of Mexico is off the tourist circuit and offers the adventure traveler world class kayaking, caving, trekking, and rafting. Lush jungles covering steep hillsides, deep caves, and beautiful turquoise waterfalls like Tamul characterize the scenery in this part of Mexico.

Puebla de Zaragoza

Has beautiful colonial architecture, great cuisine and a fascinating history. It was the site of the landmark battle of 1862 which is celebrated every year throughout Mexico (and beyond) as the 5 de mayo holiday.

Puerto Vallarta

Located in Mexico’s largest natural bay, the Bay of Banderas, Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful beach destination in the state of Jalisco. Puerto Vallarta combines the charms of a traditional Mexican town with the comforts of a modern resort area.

Los Cabos

Located on the tip of the Baja California peninsula, the two cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo offer distinct attractions in a beautiful natural setting.

Guadalajara

Offers everything from historic sites and remarkable museums to traditional architecture and elegant monuments which attest to its nearly 500 years of history. Its vibrant cultural and intellectual life make it a magnet for foreign students. Last but not least, the city takes pride in being the birthplace of Mariachi music and tequila.

Mexico City

Once the capital city of the Aztecs, later the capital of colonial New Spain, Mexico City is now a modern metropolis brimming with possibilities for the visitor. As one of the largest cities in the world, there are museums, archaeological sites, historical buildings and bustling markets to occupy a visitor for months on end.

Ixtapa

On the Pacific coast 160 miles northwest of Acapulco, is a beach resort area with high-rise hotels, golf courses and all-night discos. Its sister city, Zihuatanejo, just 4 miles away, is a fishing village with cobble-stone streets and inexpensive restaurants.

Copper Canyons

For outdoor enthusiasts, the region offers hiking, bird watching, mountain biking and horseback riding. The individual Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre) is just one of more than 20 canyons that stretch west of Chihuahua City in the Sierra Madre Occidental, located between the high central plateau and the Sea of Cortez.

Popular Activities

Take a day or multi day trek in the Copper Canyons

Scuba Dive one or more of Mexico’s famous dive sites in Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, Baja California and more.

Kayak or Swim at Los Micos in La Huasteca and jump a series of beautiful waterfalls

Explore colonial architecture, regional culinary dishes, and culture in Puebla, Mexico City, or Guadalajara.

Relax and pamper yourself at one of Mexico’s popular beach resorts in areas such as Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya, Cancun, Mazatlan, and Acapulco.

Visit the Mayan pyramids and ruins of Chitzen Itza, Coba, and Tulum

Take a boat to see the reefs and lagoon systems in the in Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve in the Yucatan.

Explore ancient pre Aztec pyramids at Teotihuacan just outside of Mexico City.

All across Mexico enjoy great Mexican cuisine and special regional dishes

Travel programs

We have a variety of options to Mexico including all-inclusive resort vacations and rentals, custom multi-sport adventure trips, as well as cultural and culinary trips. We can plan something unique and memorable for your group to fit your budget, travel dates, and interests.

1. Mexico- Riviera Maya. All-inclusive:

Anytime of year, The Riviera Maya region offers a great value, along with a high level of service. Known for its beautiful beaches, Mayan Ruins (such as Tulum), World Class resorts and Natural beauty- It is a prime destination in Mexico.

From $735 per person (sharing)- 7 nights All-inclusive stay at a 4 star resort with Chichen Itza/Copa/Cenote full day tour

Includes all of the following: All inclusive resort stay for 7 nights, RT airport transfers, all taxes and resort fees, all gratuities included, unlimited meals, snacks & beverages, Full open bar, 4 restaurants, 4 bars & 1 Disco with bar, In-room dining, 3 swimming pools (1 relaxation, 1 activity, 1 kids), Chaise lounges, towel service at pool & beach areas. Also included are water based activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, boogie boarding, windsurfing and other activities based near/at the resort, private beach at the resort, Sports: 2 illuminated tennis courts, volleyball, beach soccer, scuba clinics at pool, ping-pong, darts, billiards, basketball, and giant chessboard. Daily activities program by the pool & beach areas. Nightly entertainment.

Also Included: a special full day excursion for a private tour to the area's beautiful Mayan Ruins of Copa,  Chichen Itza (pictured) and the Ik Kil Cenote (pictured)- This special tour includes private ac transport, entrance fees, guides, and buffet lunch.

2. Mayan Palace Resorts:

1-week suite and/or studio rental. This is great value for families and groups of friends, as the units sleep up to 8 people. They can be booked for almost anytime of year at any of the luxurious Mayan Palace Resorts in PuertoVallarta, Acapulco, Mazatlan, and Riviera Maya. Rentals starting at only $699 for the week (depends on season). Ask us about availability for your specific travel dates!

3. Customized Multi-Sport:

7 plus day Multi- Sport Adventures in La Huasteca, Puerto Vallarta, Copper Canyons, or Riviera Maya. Mix and match trekking, caving, canyoneering, camping or hotel stays, ropes courses, zip lines, and rappelling, snorkeling or diving, rafting, kayaking, mountain biking and more! USA based travel guide and host available upon request. From $795

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