Mexico

Pre-1500 BCE – Olmec civilization flourishes in southern Mexico

1200 BCE–900 CE – Maya civilization at its peak in southern Mexico and Central America

1300 CE – Aztec civilization established in central Mexico

1519 (November 8, Thursday) – Hernán Cortés arrives on the Yucatán Peninsula, beginning the Spanish conquest

1521 (August 13, Monday) – Fall of Tenochtitlán, Aztec capital, marking the end of the Aztec Empire

1821 (September 27, Thursday) – Mexico gains independence from Spain

1846–1848 – Mexican-American War, leading to the loss of large territories (Texas, California, etc.)

1910–1920 – Mexican Revolution

1938 (March 18, Friday) – Expropriation of foreign oil companies, creation of PEMEX (Mexico’s state-owned oil company)

1985 (September 19, Thursday) – Mexico City earthquake (Magnitude 8.1), causing widespread destruction and loss of life

1994 (January 1, Monday) – NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) goes into effect between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico

2005 (November 9, Wednesday) – Hurricane Wilma impacts the Yucatán Peninsula, causing widespread damage

2017 (September 19, Tuesday) – Mexico City earthquake (Magnitude 7.1), causing significant destruction and fatalities

2020 (April 30, Thursday) – COVID-19 pandemic reaches Mexico, leading to significant health and economic impacts

2021 (September 7, Tuesday) – Magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes the Pacific coast, causing some damage and fatalities

2022 (June 24, Friday) – Tropical Storm Agatha strikes Oaxaca, causing flooding and fatalities

Continent: North America
Location: Southern North America, borders the United States to the north
Capital: Mexico City
Language: Spanish (official), various indigenous languages (e.g., Nahuatl, Maya)
Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN)
Population: ~130 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6), Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) during daylight savings

Borders: United States, Belize, Guatemala, Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico
Landscape: Mountainous, coastal plains, deserts, tropical forests, and highlands
Major Rivers: Rio Grande (border with the U.S.), Usumacinta, Balsas, Lerma
Major Mountains: Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre Oriental, Sierra Madre del Sur, and Volcán Pico de Orizaba (5,636 m / 18,491 ft)
Deserts: Sonoran Desert, Chihuahuan Desert
Lakes: Lake Chapala, Lake Cuitzeo
Volcanoes: Popocatépetl, Colima, Parícutin
Highest Point: Pico de Orizaba (5,636 m / 18,491 ft)
Lowest Point: Laguna Salada (−10 m / −33 ft)
Climate: Varies from arid desert in the north to tropical rainforests in the south, with a temperate climate in the highlands
Geological Features: Volcanic mountains, tectonic fault lines, caves, and cenotes

Ethnic Groups: Mestizo (mixed European and indigenous), Indigenous (e.g., Nahua, Maya), European, Afro-Mexican
Religion: Roman Catholic (about 77%), Protestant (about 10%), others
Urban Population: ~80% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~8% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Rich cultural heritage, ancient civilizations (Aztec, Maya), art, cuisine, music, dance, festivals
Cuisine: Tacos, enchiladas, tamales, mole, tequila, mezcal, beans, corn, and chili
Arts: Mexican muralism, indigenous art, cinema (e.g., Guillermo del Toro, Alejandro González Iñárritu)
Sports: Football (soccer), baseball, boxing, lucha libre (professional wrestling)

Economy Type: Mixed economy, highly dependent on manufacturing, trade, oil, and agriculture
GDP: Approx. $1.5 trillion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Automotive, oil, electronics, tourism, food and beverages, textiles
Key Exports: Vehicles, machinery, electrical machinery, oil, agricultural products (fruit, vegetables, coffee)
Unemployment Rate: ~3.5% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: North (industrial, maquiladora industries), South (agriculture, tourism), Central (service-based and financial industries)

Government Type: Federal republic
Head of State: President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (Chamber of Deputies & Senate)
Constitution: In effect since 1917, with amendments

Mexico City: Capital city, historical sites (Zócalo, Chapultepec Castle, Frida Kahlo Museum)
Chichen Itza: Ancient Maya city and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Cancun: Beach resorts, clear waters, and proximity to Mayan ruins
Teotihuacan: Ancient Mesoamerican city, Pyramid of the Sun and Moon
Cabo San Lucas: Beaches, resorts, marine life, and luxury tourism