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Mexico: State & Society
Government Mexico is a democratic federal republic divided into 31 states and the federal district ( D.F. Distrito Federal). Felipe Calderón (term of office is 6 years, no right for reelection), the candidate of the civil, Christian-democratic, oppositional party PAN ("Partido Acción Nacional") won presidential elections in 2006. This decision has turned out to be pretty close: he overtook his opponents just by 1 percent of votes. The socialist Andrés Manuel López Obrador was his strongest opponent.
Capital The capital of the country is Mexico City with the population of about 22 million people.
Economy Since 1993 Mexico is considered to be one of the leading industrial nations and due to its GDP of 685 billion USD Mexico became the greatest economic power of Latin America in 2004. This country is so far the most significant export nation in this area in possession not only of the basic natural resources (coal, oil and gas) but also of other substantial mineral resources as well as numerous branches of competitive industry. Tourism is a constantly expanding branch, which contributes to one fourth of the country's foreign revenues.
Education Mexican obligatory education consists of primary school ("Primaria") and the three-year "Secundaria". Despite that many young Mexicans drop out of school right after the 7th grade. The annual number of graduates is as low as 1.100. About 10% of Mexicans are illiterate, by the indigenous population illiteracy rate is about 40%.
Language The official language in Mexico is Spanish. In addition to that, there are over 80 Indo languages (the most important ones are: Náhuatl: 24%, Maya: 13%, Mixteco: 7,2%). One also speaks English in large hotels and tourist centers.
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