The United Mexican States or Mexico (Spanish: Estados Unidos Mexicanos or México; regarding the use of the variant spelling Méjico, see section The name below) is a country located in North America, bordered by the United States to the north, and Belize and Guatemala to the southeast. It is the northernmost and westernmost country in Latin America, and also the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world.
On July 2, 2000, Vicente Fox of the opposition "Alliance for Change" coalition, headed by the National Action Party (PAN), was elected president. Fox began his six-year term on December 1, 2000. His victory ended the Institutional Revolutionary Party's (PRI) 71-year hold on the presidency.
The three most important political parties in Mexico are the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), the National Action Party (PAN), and the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD).
Situated in the southwestern part of mainland North America and roughly triangular in shape, Mexico stretches more than 3000 km from northwest to southeast. Its width is varied, from more than 2000 km in the north and less than 220 km at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in the south.
Mexico is bordered by the United States to the north, and Belize and Guatemala to the southeast. Baja California in the west is a 1,250-km peninsula and forms the Gulf of California. In the east are the Gulf of Mexico and the Bay of Campeche, which is formed by Mexico's other peninsula, the Yucatán. The centre of Mexico is a great, high plateau, open to the north, with mountain chains on the east and west and with ocean-front lowlands lying outside of them. (See list of mountains in Mexico). Mexico is about one-fourth the size of the United States.
The culture of Mexico reflects the complexity of Mexico's history through the blending of pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican civilizations and the culture of Spain, imparted during Spain's 300-year colonization of Mexico. More recently, influences from the United States have shaped Mexican culture, and to a lesser extent, influences from Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Things you should know when travelling to Mexico
Caution and prudence should be exercised at all times while travelling throughout the country. Random shootings involving Canadians have occurred in areas notorious for drug trafficking. Other crimes occur, including armed robbery, purse snatching, and pickpocketing. You should dress down and avoid wearing expensive jewelry and designer clothing. Carry only the cash or credit cards that will be needed on each outing.
Canadians should exercise extreme caution when travelling in the northern border region of Mexico, where organized crime and urban violence have affected the region's security. While Canadians have not been specific targets of crime, they are urged to be aware of safety concerns when visiting the border area. Visit only legitimate business and tourism areas of border towns and only during daylight hours. Should you require consular assistance while in this region, contact the Consulate of Canada in Tijuana, which has consular responsibility for the states of Baja California and Sonora. The Consulate of Canada in Monterrey provides consular assistance for the states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, and the Embassy of Canada in Mexico, D.F., is responsible for the state of Chihuahua.
Travellers should be careful when accepting food or drinks from strangers, as there have been cases of drugging followed by robbery and assault, including sexual assault. Avoid walking after dark, especially if travelling alone. Unpatrolled beaches and unpopulated areas should be avoided, especially after dark. Check with local authorities to determine which beaches are safe, but always remain alert.
Long term kidnappings occur, although foreigners are not specifically targeted. So called "express kidnappings"are frequent in urban areas. There have been many incidents, particularly in Mexico City, of passengers being assaulted and/or robbed and/or car jacked by thieves working in co-operation with, or posing as taxi drivers. A common practice is to force victims to withdraw money from various ATMs with their bank or credit cards in exchange for their release. You should be cautious and discrete about openly discussing your financial or business affairs.
Canadians should be cautious in general when withdrawing funds from ATMs or when exchanging money at a "casa de cambio". It is safer to withdraw only small sums for anticipated expenses and if possible to limit your withdrawls to daylight hours inside shops or malls, rather than at ATMs on the street. Be attentive when leaving an exchange bureau, as there are incidents of people being followed and attacked. If you are arriving at the airport in Mexico City and need to obtain pesos, use the exchange counters or ATMs in the arrival area, where public access is restricted.
Women should exercise caution in dealing with strangers or recent acquaintances, and be especially careful about accepting rides or invitations to go for a drink. There have been cases of drugging followed by robbery and assault, including sexual assault. Incidents of assault, rape and sexual aggression against foreigners have been reported at beach resorts in Mexico. Many of these have occurred at night or in the early morning hours. Attacks have also occurred on deserted beaches and in hotel rooms. Acquaintance rape is a serious problem. In some cases, hotel workers, taxi drivers, and others have been implicated. Anyone who is a victim of a sexual assault or other crime should report this immediately to the nearest Canadian Consulate and is also strongly advised to immediately file a report with Mexican authorities. Note that no criminal investigation is possible without a formal complaint to Mexican authorities.
