Mexico and its 66 important Details for UPSC, PSC and Other Competitive Exams
Mexico and its Details Like , Capital, GDP, Currency, Geography, Economy, Defence, Culture, Natural resources, Habitat, Sports and all you want to know for UPSC, PSC and Other Competitive Exams.
Mexico and its Basic Details :
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Name of the Country | Mexico |
| Capital | Mexico City |
| Independence Day | September 16, 1810 |
| Major Religions | Roman Catholicism |
| Currency | Mexican Peso (MXN) |
| Continent | North America |
| Top 5 Famous Cities | Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Cancún |
| Top 10 Famous Persons | Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Emiliano Zapata, Benito Juárez, Octavio Paz, Carlos Slim, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Carlos Fuentes, Vicente Fox, Salma Hayek |
| Type of Government | Federal Republic |
| Main Wars Fought | Mexican War of Independence, Mexican-American War, Mexican Revolution |
| GDP | Approximately $1.3 trillion (2021) |
| 5 Popular Tourist Places | Chichen Itza, Tulum, Mexico City’s historic center, Cancún, Palenque |
Geography of Mexico :
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Geography | Mexico’s diverse geography includes mountains, plateaus, deserts, and coastal areas. |
| Area (Square Kilometers) | Approximately 1,964,375 square kilometers |
| Population | Approximately 126 million (as of 2021) |
| Main Mountain Ranges | Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre Oriental, Sierra Madre del Sur, Sierra Nevada, Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt |
| Main Mountain Peaks | Pico de Orizaba, Popocatépetl, Iztaccíhuatl, Nevado de Toluca, Citlaltépetl (El Tecomate) |
| Main Rivers | Rio Grande (Río Bravo), Colorado River (Río Colorado), Grijalva-Usumacinta River (Río Grijalva-Usumacinta), Balsas River (Río Balsas), Santiago River (Río Santiago) |
| Main Lakes | Lake Chapala, Lake Texcoco, Lake Cuitzeo, Lake Pátzcuaro, Lake Xochimilco |
| Deserts | Sonoran Desert, Chihuahuan Desert, Yuma Desert, Mapimí Desert, Baja California Desert |
| Plateau | Mexican Plateau (Altiplano Mexicano) |
| Volcanoes | Popocatépetl, Iztaccíhuatl, Parícutin, Colima Volcano, Cofre de Perote |
| Main Crops and Vegetation | Corn, beans, chilies, tomatoes, avocados |
| Main Beaches | Cancún Beach, Playa del Carmen, Acapulco Beach, Tulum Beach, Puerto Vallarta Beach |
| Neighboring Countries | United States, Guatemala, Belize |
| Nearby Seas and Oceans | Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean |
| Length of Coastline | Approximately 9,330 kilometers |
| Top 5 Natural Resources | Petroleum, silver, copper, gold, timber |
Economy of Mexico :
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Economy | Mexico has a mixed economy, with both modern industry and agriculture sectors. |
| Major Industries | Manufacturing, oil and gas, agriculture, mining, tourism |
| Revenue Sources | Petroleum, manufacturing, agriculture, remittances, tourism |
| Top 10 Companies | Pemex, América Móvil, Cemex, Grupo Bimbo, Telmex, FEMSA, Grupo Televisa, Grupo Elektra, Grupo Alfa, Banorte |
| Per Capita Income | Approximately $10,000 (as of 2021) |
| Top 5 Imports | Machinery, electrical equipment, mineral fuels, vehicles, plastics |
| Top 5 Exports | Machinery, electrical equipment, vehicles, mineral fuels, medical instruments |
| Total Gold Reserves | Approximately 120.9 metric tons (as of 2021) |
Defence Power of Mexico :
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Defence of the Country | Under the Mexican Constitution, the President of Mexico is the supreme commander of the Mexican Armed Forces. |
| Size of Defence Budget | $10.4 billion (2023) |
| Total Number of Army Personnel | 215,000 |
| Total Number of Air Force Personnel | 75,000 |
| Total Number of Navy Personnel | 65,000 |
| Total Defence Imports | $1.2 billion (2022) |
| Total Defence Export | $100 million (2022) |
Cultural of Mexico :
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Culture | Mexico has a rich and diverse culture influenced by its indigenous heritage and Spanish colonial history. |
| Main Festivals | Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), Independence Day (Día de la Independencia), Carnival (Carnaval), Guelaguetza, Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe) |
| Main Religious Places | Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City, Teotihuacan Pyramids, Santo Domingo Church and Monastery, Chichen Itza |
| Main Arts and Dances | Mariachi music, Ballet Folklórico de México, Huichol art, Mexican muralism (Diego Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros), Aztec dance |
| Main Languages | Spanish (official), Indigenous languages (Nahuatl, Maya, Mixtec, Zapotec, etc.) |
| Famous Food and Cuisines | Tacos, enchiladas, guacamole, mole, tamales |
| UNESCO Protected Buildings | Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco, Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán, Historic Centre of Puebla, Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza, Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines |
Sports in Mexico :
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Sports | Mexico has a diverse sports culture with a focus on football (soccer), boxing, baseball, and wrestling. |
| National Game | Charrería (Mexican rodeo) |
| Main Sports | Football (soccer), boxing, baseball, wrestling |
| Top Athletes | Hugo Sánchez (football), Julio César Chávez (boxing), Fernando Valenzuela (baseball), Lorena Ochoa (golf) |
| Top Sports Achievements | FIFA World Cup 1970 and 1986, Olympic gold in football (London 2012), multiple boxing world champions, MLB success |
Natural Habitat and wild life of Mexico :
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Natural Habitat and Wildlife | This country boasts diverse ecosystems, including deserts, rainforests, mountains, and coastal areas, hosting a wide variety of wildlife. |
| National Animal | Golden eagle |
| National Bird | Greater Roadrunner (Correcaminos) |
| Main Forests | El Yunque National Forest, Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve, Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Sierra Madre Oriental |
| Main Recognized Natural Habitats for Wild Animals | Monarch butterfly biosphere reserves, Sea of Cortez marine reserves, Lacandon Jungle, Cozumel Biosphere Reserve, Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve |
Biggest in the Mexico :
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Biggest City | Mexico City |
| Richest Man | Carlos Slim |
| Biggest Company | América Móvil |
| Tallest Building | Torre Reforma (300 meters) |
| Tallest Statue | Ángel de la Independencia (45 meters) |
| Biggest Bridge | Baluarte Bridge (1,124 meters) |
| Tallest Mountain | Pico de Orizaba (5,636 meters) |
| Longest River | Río Bravo (3,034 kilometers) |
| Biggest Forest | Selva Lacandona (3.5 million hectares) |
| Biggest Lake | Laguna de Chapala (1,116 square kilometers) |
Brief History Of Mexico :
A brief history of this country, covering its key historical periods:
Ancient Mexico:
- This country has a rich and ancient history that dates back thousands of years. One of the most notable civilizations that thrived in ancient Mexico was the Olmec civilization (around 1400-400 BCE). They are known for their colossal stone heads and are considered one of the oldest complex societies in Mesoamerica.
- Following the Olmec civilization, the Maya civilization (around 2000 BCE-1500 CE) emerged in southeastern Mexico and Central America. The Maya are renowned for their advanced mathematics, astronomy, and impressive city-states such as Tikal and Chichen Itza.
- In central Mexico, the powerful Teotihuacan civilization (around 200-750 CE) constructed one of the largest and most influential cities in the ancient world. The city’s monumental pyramids and avenues remain iconic.
Medieval Period:
- The Toltec civilization (around 900-1168 CE) succeeded Teotihuacan and played a crucial role in the development of Mesoamerican culture. They are believed to have migrated to central Mexico from the north.
- The Aztec Empire (around 1428-1521 CE) became the dominant force in Mesoamerica, centered in the capital city of Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City). The Aztecs established a complex society with a tribute system and impressive architectural achievements. In 1519, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived in this country and eventually overthrew the Aztec Empire.
Modern Era:
- This country was colonized by Spain in the early 16th century. Spanish rule lasted for nearly 300 years and had a profound impact on Mexican culture and society.
- In the early 19th century, this country fought for and gained its independence from Spain in 1821, marking the end of Spanish colonial rule. This country faced years of political instability and conflicts, including the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), which resulted in the loss of significant territory to the United States.
- In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this country experienced the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), a social and political upheaval that led to land reforms and significant changes in governance. The revolution had a lasting impact on this country’s modern identity.
Recent History:
- This country has seen periods of economic growth and political change throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The country is known for its vibrant culture, diverse population, and contributions to art, literature, and music.
- This country has faced challenges, including political corruption, drug-related violence, and economic disparities. However, it remains one of the largest economies in Latin America.
- In recent years, this country has been a key player in international trade agreements, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was later replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
This brief history provides an overview of this country’s journey from ancient civilizations to its modern status as a dynamic and diverse nation in North America.
