Quick Peek into Mexico

Here's some basic facts of our neighboring country we will be visiting:

Official Name: Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United Mexican States)

Area: About 761,604 square miles, making it the 14th largest country in the world

Populations: 103 million (2004 estimate), the 11th most populous nation in the world

Population Density: 137 per square mile (US = 80 per quare miles)

Highest Point: Pico de Orizaba, an extinct volcanic peak is 18, 555 feet high

Lowest Point: 43 feet below sea level near mexicali in Baja California

Number of States: 31, plus Federal District

Language: Spanish is the official language, but many Indian languages are also spoken

Major Industries: Oil, mining, electronics, auto manufacturing, textiles and tourism

Major Agricultural Crops: Cotton, coffee, wheat, rice, beans, and soybeans

Tourism Industry: Approximately $8 billion per year

Information provided by: H. Ludmer, Cruising the Mexican Riviera and Baja

Photo provided by Flickr Esparta