3. History
Early History
• The Olmecs
– 1200 to 600 B.C.
– First Known Civilization
• The Mayans
– 250 to 900 A.D.
– Pre-Columbian America’s most brilliant civilization
• The Aztecs
– 1195 to 1522 A.D.
– Last pre-Columbian civilization
4. History
Middle History
• Spaniard Hernán Cortés and the Conquistadors
arrived 1519
• Cortés conquered Aztecs
– 1521
– Colonized the area
– Named it Nueva España (New Spain)
5. History
Recent History
• 1810 – Miguel Hidalgo issued call to rebellion
• 1821 – Vincent Guerrero and Agustín de Itúrbide
collaborated to gain independence
9. Demographics
Literacy (Age 15+ can read and write)
• 91% of total population
• 92.4% of male population
• 89.6% of female population
School Life Expectancy (primary-tertiary education)
• Total: 13 years
• Male: 14 years
• Female: 13 years
11. Trade
Overview
• 11th largest trade economy in the World
• Largest trade economy in Latin America
• Export oriented economy
• Most free trade agreements in the World
• 12 FTAs with 44 countries
• NAFTA is by far the biggest FTA, accounting for 50%
Countries with which Mexico has signed a FTA NAFTA
12. Trade
Exports
• 6th largest oil producer in the World
• Crude oil, car parts, video equipment, etc.
• Fastest growing - tin, gold, sugar and natural gas
• Primary export partners - USA, Canada and Europe
Imports
• 12th largest import nation in the World
• Electronics, plastics and petroleum products
• Fastest growing imports - tobacco, coins and nuclear fuels
• Primary import partners - USA, Canada and Brazil
14. Religion
Religion of Mexico
• 1951 Herman Cortes conquered Mexico accompanied by
Catholic Clergy
• Roughly 92% Roman Catholic
15. Religion
Religious Rituals
• The passion play of Iztapalapa
• Popular and biggest celebration
• More than 1 million visitors
• 150 year-old tradition
16. Religion
The Virgin of Guadalupe
• The nation’s patron saint
• Shrine in Mexico City
• First appeared near hill of Tepeyac in 1531
18. Tourism
The Industry
•#1 Latin American destination
•#2 Americas destination
•#10 Worldwide destination
The Tourists
•Majority U.S. & Canada
•Many from Europe & Asia
•Few from Latin America
19. Tourism
3 Leading Tourism Areas
•Yucatan Peninsula
– Riviera Maya/Caribbean Riviera
– Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum
•Mexican Riviera
– 2,000 miles of Pacific coast
– Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta
•Center of the Country
– Mexico City, Copper Canyon, Morelia
20. Tourism
Tourism Issues
•Unsafe conditions limit vacation
•Tourists kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo
•Drug Cartel harass tourists
•Bystanders killed at political events
•Shootings on major highways
•Viruses and contamination
