Mexico is a traveler's paradise, crammed with a multitude of opposing identities: desert landscapes, snow-capped volcanoes, ancient ruins, teeming industrialised cities, time-warped colonial towns, glitzy resorts, lonely beaches and a world-beating collection of flora and fauna. The bursting megalopolis of Mexico City is a one-hour flight from the tropical rainforests and Mayan villages of Chiapas. Up along the northern border, Mexico's tumult of heritages merge with the air-conditioned cultures of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

Mexico's profusion of people and landscapes reflects the country's extraordinary history - part Amerindian, part Spanish. One look at this country is enough to remind visitors that there is nothing new about the so-called New World. Despite the considerable colonial legacy and rampant modernization, almost 60 distinct indigenous peoples survive, largely thanks to their rural isolation. This mix of modern and traditional, the clichéd and the surreal, is the key to Mexico's immense popularity as a travel destination, whether your passion is throwing back margaritas, listening to howler monkeys, surfing the Mexican Pipeline, scrambling over Mayan ruins or expanding your Day of the Dead collection of posable skeletons.

Warning

Crime in Mexico has reached critical levels, particularly in Mexico City. There's been a marked increase in the level of violence and a significant incidence of sexual assault in crimes committed against women. The most frequently reported crimes involve taxi robberies, armed robbery, metro robbery, pickpocketing and purse snatching. Credit-card fraud and ATM robbery are also prevalent.

Travelers to Oaxaca and Chiapas should restrict their itineraries to the main tourist routes, maintain a high level of personal security awareness and contact their embassy in Mexico City before traveling to these sometimes violent states. Popocatépetl's volcanic activity should also be monitored.

Full country name: Estados Unidos Méxicanos
Population: 100,350,000 (growth rate 1.53%)
Area: 1,958,200 sq km (758,866 sq mi)
Capital city: Mexico City (22 million people)
People: Approximately 60% mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian descent) and 30% Amerindian (indígena - including Nahua, Maya, Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Totonacs, and Tarascos or Purépecha)
Language: Spanish and 59 indigenous languages
Religion: 90% Roman Catholic, 6% Protestant
Government: Federal republic
Head of state: Vincente Fox Quesada

GDP: US$915 billion
GDP per head: US$9100
Annual growth: 7%
Inflation: 9%
Major industries: Food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism
Major trading partners: USA, Canada, Japan, Germany

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