--- title: Mexico — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 3 description: Wikipedia's «Mexico», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/page/3/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Mexico # Mexico · page 3 From Wikipedia, [«Mexico»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/page/2/) **3** [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/page/6/) [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/page/7/) In the 1980s the first cracks emerged in the PRI's political dominance.[187](../../187/ "tree and pragmatics") In [Baja California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baja_California), the [PAN candidate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernesto_Ruffo_Appel) was elected governor.[188](../../188/ "tree and pragmatics") When De la Madrid chose [Carlos Salinas de Gortari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Salinas_de_Gortari) as the candidate for the PRI, and therefore a foregone presidential victor, [Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuauhtémoc_Cárdenas), son of former President [Lázaro Cárdenas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lázaro_Cárdenas), broke with the PRI and challenged Salinas in the 1988 elections.[189](../../189/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1988 there was [electoral fraud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_fraud), with results showing that Salinas had won the election by the narrowest percentage ever.[190](../../190/ "tree and pragmatics") There were protests in Mexico City over the stolen election.[191](../../191/ "tree and pragmatics") Salinas took the oath of office in December 1988.[\[92\]](../../page/7/#ref-92 "note 92")[192](../../192/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1990 the PRI was described by [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Vargas_Llosa) as the "perfect dictatorship", but there had been major challenges to the PRI's hegemony.[\[93\]](../../page/7/#ref-93 "note 93")[\[94\]](../../page/7/#ref-94 "note 94")[\[95\]](../../page/7/#ref-95 "note 95")[193](../../193/ "tree and pragmatics") Salinas embarked on a program of [neoliberal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoliberalism) reforms that fixed the exchange rate, controlled inflation, opened Mexico to foreign investment, and began talks with the US and Canada to join their [free-trade agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-trade_agreement), which culminated in the [North American Free Trade Agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Free_Trade_Agreement) (NAFTA) on 1 January 1994; the same day, the [Zapatista Army of National Liberation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapatista_Army_of_National_Liberation) (EZLN) in Chiapas began armed rebellion against the federal government, which captured towns and brought world attention.[194](../../194/ "tree and pragmatics") The armed conflict was short-lived and continues as a non-violent opposition movement against neoliberalism and [globalization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization).[195](../../195/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1994, following the assassination of the PRI's presidential candidate [Luis Donaldo Colosio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Donaldo_Colosio), Salinas was succeeded by victorious PRI candidate [Ernesto Zedillo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernesto_Zedillo).[196](../../196/ "tree and pragmatics") Salinas left Zedillo's government to deal with the [Mexican peso crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_peso_crisis), requiring a $50 billion [IMF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Monetary_Fund) bailout.[197](../../197/ "tree and pragmatics") Macroeconomic reforms were started by Zedillo, and the economy recovered and growth peaked at 7% by 1999.[\[96\]](../../page/7/#ref-96 "note 96")[198](../../198/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Contemporary Mexico See also: [Mexican drug war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_drug_war) After 71 years of rule, the incumbent PRI lost the [2000 presidential election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_Mexican_general_election) to [Vicente Fox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicente_Fox) of the opposing conservative [National Action Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Action_Party_%28Mexico%29) (PAN).[199](../../199/ "tree and pragmatics") In the [2006 presidential election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Mexican_general_election), [Felipe Calderón](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felipe_Calderón) from the PAN was declared the winner, with a narrow margin (0.6%) over leftist politician [Andrés Manuel López Obrador](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrés_Manuel_López_Obrador) of the [Party of the Democratic Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_the_Democratic_Revolution) (PRD).[\[97\]](../../page/7/#ref-97 "note 97")[200](../../200/ "tree and pragmatics") López Obrador, however, [contested the election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_of_the_2006_Mexican_general_election) and pledged to create an "alternative government".[\[98\]](../../page/7/#ref-98 "note 98")[201](../../201/ "tree and pragmatics") In the [2012 presidential election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Mexican_general_election), the PRI again won the presidency with the election of [Enrique Peña Nieto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrique_Peña_Nieto).[202](../../202/ "tree and pragmatics") However, he won with a plurality of around 38% and did not have a legislative majority.[\[99\]](../../page/7/#ref-99 "note 99")[203](../../203/ "tree and pragmatics") During the 21st century, Mexico has contended with [high crime rates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Mexico), [bureaucratic corruption](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_in_Mexico), [narcotrafficking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_drug_war), and a stagnant economy.[204](../../204/ "tree and pragmatics") Many state-owned enterprises were privatized starting in the 1990s with neoliberal reforms.[205](../../205/ "tree and pragmatics") [Pemex](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pemex), the state-owned petroleum company is being privatized, with exploration licenses being issued.[\[100\]](../../page/7/#ref-100 "note 100")[206](../../206/ "tree and pragmatics") In a push against corruption, the ex-CEO of Pemex, [Emilio Lozoya Austin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilio_Lozoya_Austin), was arrested in 2020.[\[101\]](../../page/7/#ref-101 "note 101")[207](../../207/ "tree and pragmatics") After founding the new political party [MORENA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Regeneration_Movement), Andrés Manuel López Obrador (known as AMLO) won the 2018 election with over 50%.[208](../../208/ "tree and pragmatics") His coalition, led by his left-wing party founded after the 2012 elections, included parties from across the spectrum.[209](../../209/ "tree and pragmatics") The coalition won a majority in the upper and lower Congress chambers.[210](../../210/ "tree and pragmatics") His success is attributed to opposing political forces exhausting their chances, as well as AMLO's adoption of moderate discourse focused on reconciliation.[\[102\]](../../page/7/#ref-102 "note 102")[211](../../211/ "tree and pragmatics") The first confirmed case of [COVID-19 in Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Mexico) occurred in February 2020, and [COVID-19 vaccination in Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_vaccination_in_Mexico) began in December.[212](../../212/ "tree and pragmatics") [Claudia Sheinbaum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudia_Sheinbaum), AMLO's successor, won the [2024 presidential election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Mexican_general_election) in a landslide and became the first woman to lead Mexico.[\[103\]](../../page/7/#ref-103 "note 103")[213](../../213/ "tree and pragmatics") She was sworn in on 1 October 2024.[\[104\]](../../page/7/#ref-104 "note 104")[214](../../214/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Geography Main article: [Geography of Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Mexico) Mexico is located between latitudes [14°](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_parallel_north) and [33°N](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/33rd_parallel_north), and longitudes [86°](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/86th_meridian_west) and [119°W](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/119th_meridian_west) in the southern portion of North America, with a total area of 1972550 km2, is the [13th largest country by total area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_outlying_territories_by_total_area).[215](../../215/ "tree and pragmatics") It has coastlines on the [Pacific Ocean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Ocean) and [Gulf of California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_California), as well as the [Gulf of Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Mexico) and [Caribbean Sea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_Sea), the latter two forming part of the [Atlantic Ocean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Ocean).[\[105\]](../../page/7/#ref-105 "note 105")[216](../../216/ "tree and pragmatics") Within these seas are about 6000 km2 of islands.[217](../../217/ "tree and pragmatics") Almost all of Mexico lies in the [North American plate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_plate), with small parts of the [Baja California peninsula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baja_California_peninsula) on the [Pacific](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Plate) and [Cocos plates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocos_plate).[218](../../218/ "tree and pragmatics") [Geophysically](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geophysics), some geographers include the territory east of the [Isthmus of Tehuantepec](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isthmus_of_Tehuantepec) (around 12% of the total) within Central America.[\[106\]](../../page/7/#ref-106 "note 106")[219](../../219/ "tree and pragmatics") [Geopolitically](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geopolitics), Mexico is entirely considered part of North America.[\[107\]](../../page/7/#ref-107 "note 107")[220](../../220/ "tree and pragmatics") The majority of Mexican central and northern territories are located at high altitudes, and as such the highest elevations are found at the [Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Mexican_Volcanic_Belt) which crosses Mexico east to west: [Pico de Orizaba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pico_de_Orizaba) (5700 m), [Popocatépetl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popocatépetl) (5462 m) and [Iztaccihuatl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iztaccihuatl) (5286 m) and the [Nevado de Toluca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevado_de_Toluca) (4577 m).[221](../../221/ "tree and pragmatics") Two mountain ranges known as [Sierra Madre Oriental](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Madre_Oriental) and [Sierra Madre Occidental](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Madre_Occidental), which are the extension of the [Rocky Mountains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountains) from northern North America crossed the country from north to south and a fourth mountain range, the [Sierra Madre del Sur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Madre_del_Sur), runs from [Michoacán](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michoacán) to [Oaxaca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oaxaca).[222](../../222/ "tree and pragmatics") The Mexican territory is prone to [volcanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanism).[\[108\]](../../page/7/#ref-108 "note 108")[223](../../223/ "tree and pragmatics") Mexico has nine distinct regions: [Baja California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baja_California), the Pacific Coastal Lowlands, the [Mexican Plateau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Plateau), the [Sierra Madre Oriental](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Madre_Oriental), the [Sierra Madre Occidental](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Madre_Occidental), the [Cordillera Neovolcánica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordillera_Neovolcánica), the [Gulf Coastal Plain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Coastal_Plain), the Southern Highlands, and the [Yucatán Peninsula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucatán_Peninsula).[\[109\]](../../page/7/#ref-109 "note 109")[224](../../224/ "tree and pragmatics") An important geologic feature of the Yucatán peninsula is the [Chicxulub crater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicxulub_crater), the scientific consensus is that the [Chicxulub impactor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicxulub_impactor) was responsible for the [Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretaceous–Paleogene_extinction_event).[225](../../225/ "tree and pragmatics") Although Mexico is large (a little over 2000 mi in length from its farthest land points), much of its land mass is incompatible with agriculture due to aridity, soil, or terrain.[\[108\]](../../page/7/#ref-108 "note 108")[226](../../226/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2018, an estimated 54.9% of land was agricultural; 11.8% was arable; 1.4% was in permanent crops; 41.7% was permanent pasture; and 33.3% was forest.[\[108\]](../../page/7/#ref-108 "note 108")[227](../../227/ "tree and pragmatics") Mexico is irrigated by several rivers, with the longest being the [Rio Grande](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Grande), which serves as a natural eastern border with the United States.[\[110\]](../../page/7/#ref-110 "note 110")[228](../../228/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Usumacinta River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usumacinta_River) serves as a natural southern border between Mexico and Guatemala.[\[111\]](../../page/7/#ref-111 "note 111")[229](../../229/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Climate Main article: [Climate of Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Mexico) The climate of Mexico is varied due to the country's size and topography.[230](../../230/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Tropic of Cancer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropic_of_Cancer) effectively divides the country into temperate and tropical zones.[231](../../231/ "tree and pragmatics") Land north of the Tropic of Cancer experiences cooler temperatures during the winter months.[232](../../232/ "tree and pragmatics") South of the Tropic of Cancer, temperatures are fairly constant year-round and vary solely as a function of elevation.[233](../../233/ "tree and pragmatics") This gives Mexico one of the world's most diverse weather systems.[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[234](../../234/ "tree and pragmatics") Maritime air masses bring seasonal precipitation from May until August.[235](../../235/ "tree and pragmatics") Many parts of Mexico, particularly the north, have a dry climate with only sporadic rainfall, while parts of the tropical lowlands in the south average more than 2000 mm of annual precipitation.[236](../../236/ "tree and pragmatics") For example, many cities in the north like [Monterrey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monterrey), [Hermosillo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermosillo), and [Mexicali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexicali) experience temperatures of 40 C or more in summer.[237](../../237/ "tree and pragmatics") In the [Sonoran Desert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoran_Desert) temperatures reach 50 C or more.[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[238](../../238/ "tree and pragmatics") There are seven major climate types in Mexico[\[113\]](../../page/7/#ref-113 "note 113") with warm sub-humid climate being coastal up to 900 meters found mostly in the southern region of Mexico; dry and desertic climates being found in the northern half of the country; temperate humid and sub-humid being found mostly on pastures at an elevation of 1,800 meters and higher in central Mexico and cold climate usually found at an elevation of 3,500 meters and beyond.[239](../../239/ "tree and pragmatics") Most of the country's territory has a temperate to dry climate.[\[113\]](../../page/7/#ref-113 "note 113")[240](../../240/ "tree and pragmatics") Areas south of the Tropic of Cancer with elevations up to 1000 m, the southern parts of both coastal plains as well as the [Yucatán Peninsula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucatán_Peninsula), have a yearly median temperature between 24 and 28 C. Temperatures here remain high throughout the year, with only a 5 C-change difference between winter and summer median temperatures.[241](../../241/ "tree and pragmatics") The Pacific coast is subject to natural hazards such as tsunamis and both Mexican coasts with the exception of the south coast of the [Bay of Campeche](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_of_Campeche) and northern Baja California are vulnerable to serious [hurricanes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone) during the summer and fall.[242](../../242/ "tree and pragmatics") Although low-lying areas north of the Tropic of Cancer are hot and humid during the summer, they generally have lower yearly temperature averages (from 20 to 24 C) because of more moderate conditions during the winter.[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[243](../../243/ "tree and pragmatics") [Climate change in Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_Mexico) is causing widespread impacts including rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, intensified hurricanes, and sea-level rise in coastal regions.[\[114\]](../../page/7/#ref-114 "note 114")[244](../../244/ "tree and pragmatics") These changes pose threats to water resources and agriculture (particularly for rural and smallholder farmers),[\[115\]](../../page/7/#ref-115 "note 115")[\[116\]](../../page/7/#ref-116 "note 116") and affect crops including maize and coffee, contributing to economic insecurity.[\[117\]](../../page/7/#ref-117 "note 117")[\[116\]](../../page/7/#ref-116 "note 116")[245](../../245/ "tree and pragmatics") [Climate change](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change) is impacting Mexicans' health,[\[118\]](../../page/7/#ref-118 "note 118") exacerbating human migration,[\[119\]](../../page/7/#ref-119 "note 119")[\[120\]](../../page/7/#ref-120 "note 120")[\[121\]](../../page/7/#ref-121 "note 121") and increasing [extinction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extinction) risk for Mexico's [biodiversity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity), as protected areas are expected to face warming temperatures and decreased precipitation.[\[122\]](../../page/7/#ref-122 "note 122")[246](../../246/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Biodiversity See also: [Wildlife of Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_of_Mexico) Mexico ranks fourth[\[123\]](../../page/7/#ref-123 "note 123") in the world in biodiversity and is one of the 17 [megadiverse countries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megadiverse_countries).[247](../../247/ "tree and pragmatics") With over 200,000 species, Mexico is home of 10–12% of the world's biodiversity.[\[124\]](../../page/7/#ref-124 "note 124")[248](../../248/ "tree and pragmatics") Mexico ranks first in biodiversity in [reptiles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptile) with 707 known species, [second in mammals with 438 species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mammals_of_Mexico), fourth in [amphibians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibian) with 290 species, and fourth in flora, with 26,000 species.[\[125\]](../../page/7/#ref-125 "note 125")[249](../../249/ "tree and pragmatics") Mexico is also considered the second country in the world in [ecosystems](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem) and fourth in overall species.[\[126\]](../../page/7/#ref-126 "note 126")[250](../../250/ "tree and pragmatics") About 2,500 species are protected by Mexican legislation.[\[126\]](../../page/7/#ref-126 "note 126")[251](../../251/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2002, Mexico had the second fastest rate of deforestation in the world, second only to Brazil.[\[127\]](../../page/7/#ref-127 "note 127")[252](../../252/ "tree and pragmatics") It had a 2019 [Forest Landscape Integrity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Landscape_Integrity_Index) mean score of 6.82/10, ranking it 63rd globally out of 172 countries.[\[128\]](../../page/7/#ref-128 "note 128")[253](../../253/ "tree and pragmatics") According to SGI there is [Deforestation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation) and [soil erosion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_erosion) especially in rural areas of Mexico.[254](../../254/ "tree and pragmatics") In the 2022 report it was noted environmental protection laws have improved in major cities but remain unenforced or unregulated in rural regions.[\[129\]](../../page/7/#ref-129 "note 129")[255](../../255/ "tree and pragmatics") In Mexico, 170000 km2 are considered "Protected Natural Areas".[256](../../256/ "tree and pragmatics") These include 34 biosphere reserves, 67 [national parks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_parks_of_Mexico), 4 natural monuments, 26 areas of protected flora and fauna, 4 areas for natural resource protection and 17 sanctuaries (zones rich in diverse species).[\[124\]](../../page/7/#ref-124 "note 124")[257](../../257/ "tree and pragmatics") Some of Mexico's native [culinary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culinary_art) ingredients include maize, tomato, beans, squash, chocolate, [vanilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla), [avocado](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avocado), [guava](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guava), [chayote](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chayote), [epazote](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysphania_ambrosioides), [camote](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_potato), [jícama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jícama), [nopal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nopal), [zucchini](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zucchini), [tejocote](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crataegus_mexicana), [huitlacoche](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_smut), [sapote](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapote), [mamey sapote](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamey_sapote), and a great variety of [chiles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chili_pepper), such as the [habanero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habanero) and the [jalapeño](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalapeño).[258](../../258/ "tree and pragmatics") [Tequila](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tequila), the distilled alcoholic drink made from cultivated [agave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave) cacti is a major industry.[259](../../259/ "tree and pragmatics") Because of its high biodiversity Mexico has also been a frequent site of [bioprospecting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioprospecting) by international research bodies.[\[130\]](../../page/7/#ref-130 "note 130")[260](../../260/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Government and politics Main article: [Politics of Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Mexico), [Federal government of Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_government_of_Mexico) The United Mexican States is a [federation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation) whose government is [representative](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Representative_democracy), democratic, and [republican](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republicanism) based on a presidential system according to the [1917 Constitution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Mexico).[261](../../261/ "tree and pragmatics") The Constitution establishes three levels of government: the federal Union, the state governments, and the municipal governments.[262](../../262/ "tree and pragmatics") The federal [legislature](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislature) is the [bicameral](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicameralism) [Congress of the Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congress_of_the_Union), composed of the [Senate of the Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_of_the_Republic_%28Mexico%29) and the [Chamber of Deputies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamber_of_Deputies_%28Mexico%29).[263](../../263/ "tree and pragmatics") The Congress makes [federal law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_law), declares war, imposes taxes, approves the national budget and international treaties, and ratifies diplomatic appointments.[\[131\]](../../page/7/#ref-131 "note 131")[264](../../264/ "tree and pragmatics") The federal Congress, as well as the state legislatures, are elected by a system of [parallel voting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_voting) that includes plurality and [proportional representation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proportional_representation).[\[132\]](../../page/7/#ref-132 "note 132")[265](../../265/ "tree and pragmatics") The Chamber of Deputies has 500 deputies.[266](../../266/ "tree and pragmatics") Of these, 300 are elected by [plurality vote](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plurality_voting_system) in [single-member districts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-member_district) (the [federal electoral districts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_electoral_districts_of_Mexico)) and 200 are elected by proportional representation with [closed party lists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed_list)[\[132\]](../../page/7/#ref-132 "note 132") for which the country is divided into five electoral constituencies.[\[132\]](../../page/7/#ref-132 "note 132")[267](../../267/ "tree and pragmatics") The Senate comprises 128 senators: 64 (two for each state and two for Mexico City) are elected by plurality vote in pairs, 32 are the first minority or first-runner-up (one for each state and one for Mexico City), and 32 are elected by proportional representation from national closed party lists.[\[132\]](../../page/7/#ref-132 "note 132")[268](../../268/ "tree and pragmatics") The [executive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_%28government%29) is the [President of the United Mexican States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Mexico), who is the [head of state](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_state) and [government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_government), as well as the [commander-in-chief](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commander-in-chief) of the Mexican military forces.[269](../../269/ "tree and pragmatics") The President also appoints the [Cabinet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Executive_Cabinet) and other officers.[270](../../270/ "tree and pragmatics") The President is responsible for executing and enforcing the law and has the power to [veto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veto) bills.[\[131\]](../../page/7/#ref-131 "note 131")[271](../../271/ "tree and pragmatics") The highest organ of the [judicial branch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judiciary) of government is the [Supreme Court of Justice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Supreme_Court_of_Justice), the national [supreme court](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_court).[272](../../272/ "tree and pragmatics") Judges, pre-selected by Congress, are elected by popular vote.[273](../../273/ "tree and pragmatics") The nine members of the Supreme Court are elected for a single twelve-year term.[274](../../274/ "tree and pragmatics") The first judicial election occurred in [2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Mexican_judicial_elections).[275](../../275/ "tree and pragmatics") The Supreme Court of Justice interprets laws and judges cases of federal competency.[276](../../276/ "tree and pragmatics") Other institutions of the judiciary are the [Federal Electoral Tribunal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Electoral_Tribunal), collegiate, unitary, and district tribunals, and the Judicial Disciplinary Tribunal.[\[131\]](../../page/7/#ref-131 "note 131")[\[133\]](../../page/7/#ref-133 "note 133")[\[134\]](../../page/7/#ref-134 "note 134")[277](../../277/ "tree and pragmatics") Three parties have historically been the dominant parties in Mexican politics: the [Institutional Revolutionary Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institutional_Revolutionary_Party) (PRI), a [catch-all party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch-all_party)[\[135\]](../../page/7/#ref-135 "note 135") and member of the [Socialist International](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_International)[\[136\]](../../page/7/#ref-136 "note 136") that was founded in 1929 to unite all the factions of the [Mexican Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Revolution) and held an almost hegemonic power in Mexican politics since then; the [National Action Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Action_Party_%28Mexico%29) (PAN), a conservative party founded in 1939 and belonging to the [Christian Democrat Organization of America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democrat_Organization_of_America);[\[137\]](../../page/7/#ref-137 "note 137") and the [Party of the Democratic Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_the_Democratic_Revolution) (PRD), a left-wing party[\[138\]](../../page/7/#ref-138 "note 138") founded in 1989 as the successor of the coalition of socialists and liberal parties.[278](../../278/ "tree and pragmatics") The [National Regeneration Movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Regeneration_Movement) (Morena), a [left-wing populist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-wing_populism) party, has been the ruling party since [2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Mexican_general_election), and it won a second term in the [2024 general election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Mexican_general_election).[\[139\]](../../page/7/#ref-139 "note 139")[279](../../279/ "tree and pragmatics") [Democratic backsliding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_backsliding) starting around 2019 was found by the [V-Dem Democracy Report](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-Dem_Institute#Democracy_Report).[\[140\]](../../page/7/#ref-140 "note 140")[280](../../280/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Administrative divisions Main article: [Administrative divisions of Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_divisions_of_Mexico) Further information: [States of Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_of_Mexico), [Municipalities of Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_Mexico) [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/page/2/) **3** [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/page/6/) [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/page/7/) - ← previous: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/page/2/) - next →: [page 4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Mexico/page/4/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)