Ivan Daniel

Mexico has varied terrain, from high rugged mountains to low coastal plains with a mix of temperatures around the region. The climate ranges from tropical to desert. For thousands of years, Mexico has been home to advanced civilizations including the Olmec, Maya, Toltec and Aztec. When Cortéz conquered Mexico in 1521, he destroyed a flourishing Aztec civilization. Though marked by sharp class and social divisions, Mexican culture typically treasures family and traditional values. Graciousness in conversation and other communication is highly regarded, and relationships take precedence over other matters. About 60 percent of Mexicans are mestizo – descended from indigenous Pre-Columbian people groups and Spanish ancestors. Over 90 percent speak Spanish. More than three-quarters of the people are Roman Catholic, but Protestant denominations are growing. Compassion works primarily in southern Mexico. Mexico was under Spanish rule for three centuries, until it achieved independence in the early 19th century. Social discontent rocked the country during the 1960s and 1970s, especially with rising urbanization and unemployment. In 1994, there was an uprising of indigenous people groups in Chiapas, who demanded economic and political reform. At that time, currency devaluation produced near economic collapse. However, the country was making an impressive financial recovery until the global financial crisis that hit in 2008. In 2000, Vicente Fox was sworn in as the first chief executive elected in free and fair elections. Ongoing economic and social concerns include low wages, widespread underemployment, inequitable land and income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the indigenous people groups in the impoverished southern states.