The United Mexican States, commonly known as Mexico, is a federal republic in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States, to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean, to the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea, and to the east by the Gulf of Mexico.
The area now known as Mexico has been inhabited for thousands of years by various indigenous civilizations, including the Aztec, Maya, and Toltec. The territory became a Spanish colony after the arrival of Hernán Cortés in 1519, who led the conquest of the Aztec Empire, marking the beginning of over three centuries of Spanish rule.
After a prolonged war of independence led by figures like Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and José María Morelos, Mexico finally gained independence from Spain in 1821. Following independence, Mexico experienced numerous conflicts including internal struggles between liberals and conservatives, foreign invasions, and the loss of significant territories to the United States in the Mexican-American War.
The current constitution of the United Mexican States was adopted in 1917 following the Mexican Revolution, which was one of the most significant sociopolitical upheavals in the country's history. This document established a federal republic with a democratic government, although the political landscape has been characterized by periods of single-party dominance, particularly by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).
Mexico's geography is diverse, featuring deserts, highlands, and tropical rainforests. Its topography ranges from the high volcanic peaks of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt to the coastal plains. The country is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites due to its rich natural and cultural heritage.
Mexican culture reflects the country's complex history and is known for its cuisine, folk art, mariachi music, and numerous indigenous traditions. The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is one of the most recognized cultural traditions, celebrated throughout Mexico to honor the deceased.
Mexico has a mixed economy with a growing industrial base, particularly in manufacturing and oil production. It is the 15th largest economy in the world by nominal GDP and has free trade agreements with many countries, including the United States and Canada through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The political system of Mexico is based on federalism, with a separation of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The President of Mexico is both the head of state and head of government, elected for a single six-year term. The Congress of the Union is bicameral, consisting of the Senate of the Republic and the Chamber of Deputies.