Mexico is a country in North America south of the United States. A Spanish-speaking country, Mexico is famous all over the world for its culture, history, and food. The following are 10 interesting facts about Mexico. Let’s read.
10 interesting facts about Mexico
Overview
Mexico has an area of approximately 1.97 million square kilometers, making it the third-largest country in North America. The country has a population of 132 million (2025 estimate). Mexico is the 11th most populous country in the world.
1. The country with the largest population of Spanish speakers
Mexico is the country with the highest number of native Spanish speakers in the world. Spanish is the most spoken language in Mexico. Over 99 percent of the population in Mexico can speak and understand Spanish.
2. The sixth most visited country in the world
In 2024, around 45 million tourists visited Mexico, making it the sixth most visited country in the world. The presence of numerous heritage sites, beautiful beaches, and amazing mountains makes Mexico a great travel destination.
3. A megadiverse country
Mexico is one of the very few megadiverse countries in the world. The country is home to 10 to 12 percent of the world’s biodiversity. There are approximately 26,000 different flora species, over 1,000 different bird species, and 1,500 different mammal, reptile, and amphibian species in Mexico.
4. Country with many UNESCO World Heritage Sites
There are 36 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mexico, the largest number for any North American country. The presence of such a high number of heritage sites helps in boosting international tourist arrivals in the country.
5. Country with many volcanoes
There are several active and extinct volcanoes in Mexico. Most of these volcanoes lie on the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. The highest ones are Pico de Orizaba (5,636 m), Popocatépetl (5,426 m), Iztaccihuatl (5,230 m).
6. Mexican cuisine is very popular worldwide
Mexican cuisine is one of the most famous and oldest cuisines in the world. Developed over thousands of years, Mexican cuisine is basically a mix of Mayan, Aztec, and Spanish cuisines.
7. Capital and Largest city
Mexico City is the capital of Mexico. With a population of 9.2 million (2020 census), it is also the country’s largest city and economic hub. Mexico city is one of the oldest cities in the whole of North America.
8. States in Mexico
Mexico is divided into 32 federal entities, 31 of which are states and 1 is the capital Mexico City. Chihuahua (state) is the largest state in Mexico in terms of area. It has an area of 247,455 square kilometers.
9. Country with numerous reptile species
Mexico is a country with very high reptile biodiversity. There are over 800 reptile species found in Mexico. The larger ones are the American crocodile, Gila monster, Morelet’s crocodile, and fer-de-lance.
10. The highest mountain peak in Mexico
The highest mountain peak in Mexico is Pico de Orizaba (Citlaltépetl). The peak has an elevation of 5,636 m (18,491 ft) which makes it the third-highest peak in North America. Pico de Orizaba is actually an inactive stratovocano.
Basic facts about Mexico
| Area | ~1.97 million sq km |
| Population | 132 million (2025 estimate) |
| Capital city | Mexico City |
| Largest city | Mexico City |
| Official language | Spanish (de facto) |
| Currency | Mexican Peso |
| Highest mountain | Pico de Orizaba (5,636 m/18,491 ft) |
| Longest river | Rio Grande |
| Bordering countries | United States, Belize, and Guatemala |
| National animal | Golden Eagle |
| National tree | Taxodium mucronatum/Ahuehuete |
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