Changes

==People==

==People==

Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world and the second most-populous country in Latin America after Portuguese-speaking [[Brazil]]. About 70% of the people live in urban areas. Many Mexicans emigrate from rural areas that lack job opportunities--such as the underdeveloped southern states and the crowded central plateau--to the industrialized urban centers and the developing areas along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to some estimates, the population of the area around Mexico City is about 18 million, which would make it the largest concentration of population in the Western Hemisphere. Cities bordering on the United States--such as Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez--and cities in the interior--such as Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Puebla--have undergone sharp rises in population in recent years.  

Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world and the second most-populous country in Latin America after Portuguese-speaking [[Brazil]]. About 70% of the people live in urban areas. Many Mexicans emigrate from rural areas that lack job opportunities--such as the underdeveloped southern states and the crowded central plateau--to the industrialized urban centers and the developing areas along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to some estimates, the population of the area around Mexico City is about 18 million, which would make it the largest concentration of population in the Western Hemisphere. Cities bordering on the United States--such as Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez--and cities in the interior--such as [[Guadalajara]], Monterrey, and [[Puebla]]--have undergone sharp rises in population in recent years.  

Education is among the Mexican government’s highest priorities, and the education budget has continued to grow in recent years. Funding for education increased from 6.9 % of GDP in 2002 to 7.3% of GDP in 2005. While efforts to decentralize responsibility for education from the federal to the state level in order to improve accountability are ongoing, the central government still retains significant authority. Although educational performance in Mexico has improved substantially in recent decades, the country still faces several major problems, including providing education to rural and indigenous populations.  

Education is among the Mexican government’s highest priorities, and the education budget has continued to grow in recent years. Funding for education increased from 6.9 % of GDP in 2002 to 7.3% of GDP in 2005. While efforts to decentralize responsibility for education from the federal to the state level in order to improve accountability are ongoing, the central government still retains significant authority. Although educational performance in Mexico has improved substantially in recent decades, the country still faces several major problems, including providing education to rural and indigenous populations.  

*Population (2006 estimate): 107.4 million.  

*Population (2006 estimate): 107.4 million.  

*Annual growth rate (2006 estimate): 1.16%.

*Annual growth rate (2006 estimate): 1.16%.

*Ethnic groups: Indian-Spanish (mestizo) 60%, Indian 30%, Caucasian 10%.

*Ethnic groups: Indian-Spanish ([[mestizo]]) 60%, Indian 30%, Caucasian 10%.

*Religions: [[Roman Catholic]] 89%, [[Protestant]] 6%, other 5%.

*Religions: [[Roman Catholic]] 89%, [[Protestant]] 6%, other 5%.

*Language: [[Spanish]].

*Language: [[Spanish]].

*Education: Years compulsory--11 (note: preschool education was made mandatory in Dec. 2001). Literacy--89.4%.

*Education: Years compulsory--11 (note: preschool education was made mandatory in Dec. 2001). Literacy--89.4%.

*Health (2004 est.): Infant mortality rate--21.69/1000. Life expectancy--male 72.18 years; female 77.83 years.

*Health (2004 est.): Infant mortality rate--21.69/1000. Life expectancy--male 72.18 years; female 77.83 years.

*Work force (2000, 39.81 million): Agriculture, forestry, hunting, fishing--21.0%; services--32.2%; commerce--16.9%; manufacturing--18.7%; construction--5.6%; transportation and communication--4.5%; mining and quarrying--1.0%.  

*Work force (2000, 39.81 million): [[Agriculture]], forestry, hunting, fishing--21.0%; services--32.2%; commerce--16.9%; manufacturing--18.7%; construction--5.6%; transportation and communication--4.5%; mining and quarrying--1.0%.  

[[Image:Rafa Marquez.jpg|right|Rafa Marquez|thumb]]

[[Image:Rafa Marquez.jpg|right|Rafa Marquez|thumb]]