Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

343

Mineral wealth

Copper, silver, zinc, mercury,

and other valuable metals are

among the many minerals found

in Mexico. Oil is the country’s most

important resource. in 1974, vast

new reserves were discovered in

the south of the country.

the wealth Of MexiCO has traditionally come from the land.

Precious metals lie buried in the mountains and rich crops grow in

the valleys. Oil flows from wells on the coast. the Mexican people began

to exploit these advantages centuries ago. farming supported most of the

people, and from the country’s mines came silver to make beautiful jewelry.

the mineral wealth of the country attracted invading europeans early in the

16th century, and Spain ruled Mexico for the next three centuries. a revolt

against Spanish rule gave the Mexican people independence in 1821. the

discovery of oil early in the 20th century brought new wealth to Mexico.

the government invested this wealth in new factories, and in social services

to relieve hunger and improve health and education. in 1994, the north

american free trade agreement (nafta) reduced trade barriers between

Mexico, Canada, and the United States, promising long-term economic

benefits. however, the border between Mexico and the US has been

strengthened as a result of

US concern over the

many illegal

crossings made

each year.

Mexican artisans are skilled

at making fine jewelry from

the precious metals found

in their country.

Mexico 343-

around 21 million people live in and around Mexico City, the

capital of Mexico, making it one of the most populous cities in

the world. the city lies 1 mile (1.6 km) above sea level in a

natural basin surrounded by mountains. these mountains trap

the pollution from the city’s industries. as a result, Mexico City

is one of the world’s most unhealthy cities, with

an inadequate water supply, a lack of housing,

and the constant threat of earthquakes adding

to its many problems.

Corn

Mangoes

José Guadalupe

Posada (1852–1913)

drew humorous

illustrations, many of

which supported the

Mexican Revolution.

Sweet potatoes

Beans

POlitiCS and revOlUtiOn

Mexico was a Spanish colony from 1521 to 1821,

when it became an independent republic. after a long

period of political unrest, there was a revolution in 1910,

in which half a million people died. from 1929, the

institutional revolutionary Party (irP) governed Mexico.

however, in 2000 it lost the presidential election for the

first time. Mexico is now a functioning democracy.

Mexico

Bananas

Chilies

Cinnamon

sticks

Mexico is part of the continent of

north america and lies between

the United States to its north and

Central america

to its south.

FarM PrODUCe

Only one-seventh of the population

of Mexico works on the land, growing staple or

food crops. increasingly, however, farmers are

growing coffee, cotton, sugar, and tomatoes for

export. these cash crops take vital land away from

the crops that the Mexican people themselves need

for food. Most of the farmers are members of

cooperatives, pooling their limited resources

to help one another.

Find out more

Conquistadors

north america

volcanoes

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