MEXICO

MEXICO
    

More than 5,000 years ago, native meso-American peoples developed advanced civilizations in the area that is now Mexico. It is an area about three times the size of Texas. The conquest by the Spaniards in the 16th century brought a sudden end to their way of life but their art and culture survived. Today 56 distinct native groups still live in Mexico but suffer the worst extremes of poverty. Seventy percent of their communities lack access to potable water. The majority of Mexico's population (60 percent) is mestizo, of mixed Indian and Spanish heritage. Nearly three-quarters of Mexico's population are urbanized. The capital, Mexico City, is the world's largest city with 21 million people and severe problems of overcrowding and pollution. Mexico still needs to overcome many structural problems as it strives to modernize its economy and raise living standards. Mexico is endowed with rich natural resources including oil reserves, but its wealth is unevenly divided. Further exacerbating the problem is a heavy foreign debt burden. Although Mexico is experiencing an economic upturn, paying interest on the debt still consumes 30 percent of the government's budget, twice as much as is spent on education. Income distribution is very unequal with the top 20% of income earners accounting for 55% of income. Almost half of Mexico's 98.5 million people still live below the poverty line.