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 15 interesting facts about Mexico. Let’s read.
15 interesting facts about Mexico
Overview
Mexico has an area of 1.964 million square kilometers making it the third-largest country in North America. The country has a population of over 129 million (2022) and is the tenth most populous country in the world.
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.
Mexico is the sixth most visited country in the world
In 2022, around 38 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 make Mexico a great travel destination.
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, 1,000 different bird species, and 1,500 different mammal, reptile, and amphibian species in Mexico.
Capital and Largest city
Mexico City is the capital of Mexico. With a population of 9.2 million, 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.
Religion
The Mexican population is overwhelmingly Christian. 72.1% of Mexicans identify themselves as Catholics. There is also a sizable population of Protestants in Mexico. 13.3 percent population did not specify any religion in the 2020 census.
Volcanoes in Mexico
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).
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.
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.
Sports in Mexico
Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Mexico overall. Baseball, boxing, and basketball are also very popular in Mexico.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mexico
There are 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mexico, the largest number among North American countries. This shows the rich heritage of Mexico. The presence of such a high number of heritage sites also helps in boosting tourist arrivals in the country.
Mexican cuisine
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.
Americans in Mexico
Over 65 percent of immigrants in Mexico come from the United States. According to an estimate, over 900,000 Mexicans are born in the US.
A 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.
National animal and National tree
The national animal of Mexico is the Golden Eagle, one of the largest and most widespread Eagle species in the world. The national tree of Mexico is Taxodium mucronatum/Ahuehuete. The Ahuehuete tree is found only in Mexico and Guatemala.
Basic facts about Mexico
| Capital | Mexico City |
| Area | 1.964 million square kilometers |
| Population | over 129 million (2022) |
| Population rank | 10th in the world |
| Currency | Mexican peso |
| Largest city | Mexico City |
| Official language | Spanish (de facto) |
| Highest mountain | Pico de Orizaba (5,636 m) |
| Longest river | Rio Grande |
| Bordering countries (land) | United States, Belize, and Guatemala |
| National Animal | Golden Eagle |
| National tree | Taxodium mucronatum/Ahuehuete |
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