Sofia

Mexico, the United Mexican States (in spanish Estados Unidos Mexicanos), is a federal republic situated in North America. It is bounded on the north by the United States; on the east by the U.S., the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea; on the south by Belize and Guatemala; and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Mexican federal jurisdiction extends, in addition to Mexico proper, over a number ofoffshore islands. The area of the country is 1,972,547 sq km, (761,604 sq mi)
The weatherMexico is bisected by the Tropic of Cancer; therefore, the southern half is included in the Torrid Zone. In general, climate varies with altitude. The tierra caliente (hot land) includes the low coastal plains, extending from sea level to about 914 m (about 3000 ft). Weather is extremely humid, withtemperatures varying from 15.6. The rainy season lasts from May to October.

Although sections of southern Mexico receive from about 990 to 3000 mm (about 39 to 118 in) of rain a year, most of Mexico lacks adequate rainfall. Rainfall averages less than 635 mm (25 in) annually in the tierra templada, about 460 mm (about 18 in) in the tierra fría, and about 254 mm (about 10 in) in the semi arid north.Natural Resources
The mineral resources of Mexico are extremely rich and varied. Almost every known mineral is found, including coal, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, silver, gold, copper, lead, and zinc. Proven petroleum and natural-gas reserves are enormous, with some of the world's largest deposits located offshore, in the Bay of Campeche. Forests and woodland, which cover about 23% of the land,contain such valuable woods as mahogany, ebony, walnut, and rosewood. About 13% of the land is suitable for agriculture, but less than 10% receives enough rainfall for raising crops without irrigation
Flora and Fauna
Because of the wide range of temperature, the native flora of Mexico is extremely varied. Cactus, yucca, agave, and mesquite are plentiful in the arid north. The tierra caliente isthickly grown with an immense variety of plants, which form a dense tropical jungle in some areas. The trees in this zone include valuable hardwoods, as well as coconut palms, gum trees, and almond, fig, and olive trees. On the mountain slopes grow oaks, pines, and firs. Arctic vegetation is found at the highest altitudes in Mexico.

Mexican fauna also varies according to the climatic zones.Wolves and coyotes are found in the north. The forests on the mountain slopes are inhabited by ocelots, jaguars, peccaries, bears, and pumas. Fur-bearing seals are found on the coasts. A wide variety of reptiles includes turtle, iguana, rattlesnake, and lizard. Birds, including sea and game birds, are numerous. Along the coast and in the estuaries of rivers fish abound.

Population
The Mexicanpopulation is composed of three main groups: the people of Spanish descent, the Indians, and the people of mixed Spanish and Indian ancestry, or mestizos. Of these groups, the mestizos are by far the largest, constituting about 60% of the population. The Indians total about 30%. The society is semi-industrialized.

The population of Mexico at the 1990 census (preliminary) was 81,140,922. Theestimated population density in 1990 was 41 persons per sq km (107 per sq mi). About 73 percent of Mexicans lived in urban areas.
Political Division
Mexico consists of 32 administrative divisions -- 31 states and the Distrito Federal (federal district), which is the seat of the federal administration.

1.Aguascalientes,
2.Baja California,
3. Baja California Sur,
4.Campeche,
5.Coahuila,6.Colima,
7.Chiapas,
8.Chihuahua,
9.Distrito Federal,
10.Durango,
11.Estado de Mexico,
12.Guanajuato,
13.Guerrero,
14.Hidalgo,
15. Jalisco,
16. Michoacán,
17. Morelos,
18. Nayarit,
19. Nuevo Leon,
20. Oaxaca,
21. Puebla,
22. Querétaro,
23. Quintana Roo,
24. San Luis Potosi,
25. Sinaloa,
26. Sonora,
27, Tabasco,
28. Tamaulipas,
29. Tlaxcala,
30....