Traveling Mexico in a Glance

Most travelers who travel around the world to experience the new cultures, customs, and climate and meet new people may have been to the most famous places in the world. Most of these places may be famous for its white sand beaches and breathtaking underwater kingdom or a picturesque view of various tourist shrines or maybe for their colorful festivals, traditions and customs and many other things that are uniquely identified to these places. For people who looking for something new and a getaway from the modern city life, most usually to go places with an undisturbed beauty of its nature or simply to places with people who have a unique taste in indulging with adventures. Many countries, towns and islands can be mention, but for the folks who prefer an escape in a place with a little touch of modern city life with a warm and friendly welcome from its people, then Mexico can be the place one can consider visiting.

Mexico is one of the many developing countries in the world. Geologically, it is located in the south of the United States of America and is surrounded with water forms such as the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The people in this country are generally warm and friendly, especially to those who are living in small communities. They are interested in the people and culture of the foreign lands, they are friendlier to people who made the effort to integrate themselves into the Mexican culture. Compared to highly industrialized countries, the life in Mexico slow paced and a little laid back.  The people living in this country are also considered to be religious, and they are also proud people.

Most people may assume that the weather in this country is always hot, but the truth is, in many regions of Mexico, the climate varies. One can expect that on the coasts of Mexico, the weather is considered balmy. There are also tropical forests and fertile valleys; however, there are some mountains in this country, which is snow capped while some regions consist of dry desert lands. For people who prefer to go tropical and hit the beaches in this country, the cities of Cancun and Acapulco are the most popular. Acapulco is not only famous for its beaches, but it is also famous for onlookers of cliff divers at the place called La Quebrada. Night parties and discos are also prevalent when darkness hits these places. A two-hour drive away from Acapulco is a mining town called Taxco, which has maintained its historical architecture and is also famous for its silver works of any kind with great prices.

For one who would like to have a good taste of the Mexican culture, the place named Guadalajara is the perfect place to try Mexico’s famous tequila and other Mexican cuisine such as tacos, sopes, enchiladas and many others. The city is also considered as one of the ten largest cities in Latin America and was also considered as Mexico’s Silicon Valley because of its success in electronics industry.

The city is also famous for many of its land marks and structural designs. The country is its own version of pyramids called the pyramid-temples maid by the Mayan people thousands of years ago. Most of these pyramids are built in a way that the Mayan people can climb to the top storey for sacrificial rituals. One of the known Mayan pyramids in the place is located south west of the Governor’s Palace is the country’s version of their Great Pyramid called Uxmal. It stands ninety eight feet high and is also a nine-storey building. This pyramid did not have a sanctuary or temple in it, but it has palace-like buildings on its four sides. The highest storey had decorations in the Puuc manner, and it also includes masks, latticework, meanders, flowers and parrots. There are many other Mayan pyramids created in many areas in the country and according to some archeologists some of these pyramids were to be believed to be sacred are not meant to be touched.

Exploring other places and countries may bring some new experiences to every traveler, especially in discovering new cultures and tourist spots but the best part of the journey is not only what one has discovered, but also what one has imparted.

The Mexican Economy

Mexico is a North American country, bordering the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea between the US and Belize, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean between the US and Guatemala. With a total land area of 1,923,040 square kilometers, Mexico is home to more than a hundred million residents (106,535,000) in 2006 population survey.

Mexico’s geographical terrain is characterized by rugged, high mountains; high plateaus; low coastal plains; and deserts. Its climate varies from desert to tropical year round. Mexico is gifted with high value minerals and natural resources like petroleum, copper, silver, gold, zinc, lead, timber, and natural gas. Its location in the border south of the US is considered strategic in world trade and economic activities.

The Mexican Economy ranks from 11^th to 13^th among world’s largest economy. The Mexico City the country’s capital also ranks 3^rd among world’s largest metropolis with Tokyo of Japan and New York of the US leading the list.

Since the dreaded 1994 crisis, Mexico developed and improved its macroeconomic fundamental resulting to a boost in the economy and an unprecedented stability. Its attained macroeconomic stability enables low interest and inflation rates, increased per capita income. The economy holds rapidly-developing industrial and service sector and a robust import-export business. Based on Forbes Global 2000 lists of 2008, 16 companies among the world’s largest companies were from Mexico.

Economic Sectors

The Export industry is the most profitable sector in the Mexican Economy. Mexican Exports represent a quarter or more of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Mexican Trade policy is an open market and is considered as among the most open in the world. The Mexican government forged free trade treatises and agreements with more than 40 countries like Canada, the European Union, and notably the United States. Most exported products are cars, petroleum, and electronics with the bulk of these exports (82%) goes to the US.

Tourism, ever since the 1960’s played a major part in the Mexican economy. Mexican tourism accounts to a considerable fraction of the country’s GDP with millions of tourist flocking to Mexico. As a matter of fact, Tourism has become the fastest growing sector in the Mexican economy and accounts for 50 billion dollar contribution to the economy.

The Manufacturing sector also contributes a major part of the Mexican Economy. With estimated 18% GDP contribution, this sector is mostly involved in ship building, steel, chemicals, textiles, and electronic components.

Agriculture is also a sector to reckon in Mexican economy. Although this sector accounted for a measly 3.7% of the country’s GDP as of 2008, it provides 14% of total employment in the country. With an arable area only 13% of the country’s land area, Mexico boast of its revenue generating crops like tomatoes, sugarcane, corn, dry beans, coffee beans, and avocados. Significant revenue is also generated from beef, pork, poultry, and dairy production.

The Oil sector is also a sector to beat, with its revenue constituting a third in the total Mexican revenues. As of 2007, Mexico ranks eight-largest crude exporter in the world and third-largest oil supplier to the US. The Mexican Government holds the monopoly in oil exploration, production, marketing, and transportation through the state-owned PEMEX oil company.

Recent Economic Problems

Just recently this year (early 2009), the Economic crisis in the US escalated to a more serious World scale crisis affecting not only the US but other big economies like Japan and Europe, as well as most of the world. With the US – Mexico’s biggest export partner, undergoing recession, Mexico experiences a decline in export revenue that greatly affects the total GDP. With the US predicted to start rebounding soon, the Mexican government is hopeful that businesses will soon go back to normal.

In addition to the Global financial crunch, the Tourism industry is suffering setbacks caused by the H1N1 flu pandemic and political unrest. Tourist had been distrustful in visiting Mexico with reported violence on the rise which accounted for 11,000 people killed in this violence since the December 2006 election.

Amidst these problems the Mexican Government sees optimism with some propose measures for labor and tax reforms and new energy policy on the works. Mexico will rebound again, that is for sure.