Mexico

Lore & Background

Human presence in Mexico dates back to at least 11,500 BC. Mesoamerica was home to numerous advanced societies, including the Olmecs, Maya, Zapotecs, Teotihuacan civilization, and Purépecha. Spanish colonization began in 1521 with an indigenous alliance that defeated the Aztec Empire, establishing the colony of New Spain. New Spain became a major center of the transoceanic economy during the Age of Discovery. The Peninsular War led to the 1810–1821 Mexican War of Independence, which ended Peninsular rule and led to the creation of the First Mexican Empire. In 1848, Mexico lost nearly half its territory in the Mexican–American War. Liberal reforms led to civil war and French intervention, culminating in the Second Mexican Empire under Emperor Maximilian I, who was overthrown by Republican forces led by Benito Juárez. The late 19th century saw the long dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. The 1910–1920 Mexican Revolution led to the overthrow of Díaz and the adoption of the 1917 Constitution. Mexico experienced rapid industrialization and economic growth in the 1940s–1970s, amidst electoral fraud, the Tlatelolco massacre, and economic crises. The late 20th century saw a shift towards neoliberalism, marked by the signing of NAFTA in 1994, amidst unrest in Chiapas. Since 2006, approximately 127,000 deaths have been caused by ongoing conflict between drug trafficking syndicates.

In Their Own Story

The dust of the Chihuahuan Desert clings to the Ghosts' fatigues as they move through the skeletal remains of a border town. A local informant, his face shadowed beneath a frayed sombrero, gestures toward a fortified compound. 'Santa Blanca controls the water,' he rasps. 'Cut that, and they'll come out to fight.' The team leader nods, already tracing the infiltration route in his mind. The sun bleeds orange over the Sierra Madre as the Ghosts prepare to strike, knowing that every operation here is a step toward reclaiming a country from the cartel's iron grip.

Reader's Guide

Mexico is a federal republic with a presidential system of government, characterized by a democratic framework and the separation of powers into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The federal legislature consists of the bicameral Congress of the Union, comprising the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The Constitution establishes three levels of government: the federal Union, the state governments, and the municipal governments. Mexico's federal structure grants autonomy to its 32 states. Mexico is a newly industrialized and developing country, with the world's 13th-largest economy by nominal GDP and the 13th-largest by purchasing power parity. It ranks first in the Americas and seventh in the world by the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries, ranking fifth in natural biodiversity. It is a major tourist destination: as of 2022, it is the sixth most-visited country in the world, with 42.2 million international arrivals. Mexico is a member of United Nations, the G20, the OECD, the Coffee Club, the WTO, APEC, the OAS, CELAC, the OEI, and has an observer status at the Council of Europe.

Did You Know?

• The precise origin of the name 'Mexico' is unknown and is heavily debated.
• Mexico is home to the largest number of native Spanish speakers in the world.
• Mexico is the thirteenth-largest country in the world by land area.
• Mexico ranks fifth in natural biodiversity among the world's 17 megadiverse countries.