ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (June, 2008)
The Government of Mexico requires that all U.S. citizens present proof of citizenship and photo identification for entry into Mexico. All Americans traveling by air outside the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States . This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed loop cruises), including ferry service, by the summer of 2009.

TOURIST TRAVEL
U.S. citizens do not require a visa or a tourist card for tourist stays of 72 hours or less within "the border zone," defined as an area between 20 to 30 kilometers of the border with the U.S., depending on the location. U.S. citizens traveling as tourists beyond the border zone or entering Mexico by air must pay a fee to obtain a tourist card, also known as an FM-T, available from Mexican consulates, Mexican border crossing points, Mexican tourism offices, airports within the border zone and most airlines serving Mexico. The fee for the tourist card is generally included in the price of a plane ticket for travelers arriving by air.

Minors: Mexican law requires that any non-Mexican citizen under the age of 18 departing Mexico must carry notarized written permission from any parent or guardian not traveling with the child to or from Mexico. This permission must include the name of the parent, the name of the child, the name of anyone traveling with the child, and the notarized signature(s) of the absent parent(s). The child must be carrying the original letter – not a facsimile or scanned copy – as well as proof of the parent/child relationship (usually a birth certificate or court document) – and an original custody decree, if applicable. Travelers should contact the Mexican Embassy or closest Mexican Consulate for current information.(*) (Top)

CRIME
Crime in Mexico continues at high levels, and it is often violent, especially in Mexico City, Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, Acapulco, and the state of Sinaloa. Other metropolitan areas have lower, but still serious, levels of crime. Travelers should always leave valuables and irreplaceable items in a safe place, or not bring them.

HEALTH INFORMATION 
Adequate medical care can be found in major cities. Excellent health facilities are available in Mexico City, but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. Care in more remote areas is limited.

In many areas in Mexico, tap water is unsafe and should be avoided.  Bottled water and beverages are safe, although visitors should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested.  Ice may also come from tap water and should be considered unsafe.  Visitors should exercise caution when buying food or beverages from street vendors.

In high altitude areas such as Mexico City (elevation 7,600 feet or about 1/2 mile higher than Denver, Colorado), most people need a short adjustment period.  Reaction signs to high altitude include lack of energy, shortness of breath, occasional dizziness, headache, and insomnia.  Those with heart problems should consult their doctor before traveling.  Air pollution in Mexico City and Guadalajara is severe, especially from December to May, and combined with high altitude could affect travelers with underlying respiratory problems.(*) (Top)

PEOPLE (June 2008)
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Mexican(s).
Population (July 2007 estimate): 108,700,891.
Annual growth rate (2007 estimate): 1.15%.
Ethnic groups: Indian-Spanish (mestizo) 60%, Indian 30%, Caucasian 9%, other 1%.
Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other 5%.
Language: Spanish.
Education: Years compulsory--11 (note: preschool education was made mandatory in Dec. 2001). Literacy--91.4%.
Health (2007): Infant mortality rate--19.01/1000. Life expectancy--male 73.05 years; female 78.78 years.
Work force (2006 est., 38.09 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%. (Top)

GOVERNMENT
Type: Federal republic.
Independence: First proclaimed September 16, 1810; republic established 1824.
Constitution: February 5, 1917.
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state and head of government). Legislative--bicameral. Judicial--Supreme Court, local and federal systems.
Administrative subdivisions: 31 states and a federal district.
Political parties: Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), National Action Party (PAN), Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), Green Ecological Party (PVEM), Labor Party (PT), and several small parties.
Suffrage: Universal at 18(*) (Top)

GEOGRAPHY
Area: 1,972,550 sq. km. (761,600 sq. mi.); about three times the size of Texas.
Cities: Capital--Mexico City (19.2 million, 2006 estimate for metro area). Other major cities--Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Acapulco, Merida, Leon, Veracruz.
Terrain: Coastal lowlands, central high plateaus, and mountains up to 5,400 m. (18,000 ft.).
Climate: Tropical to desert. (Top)

ECONOMY
GDP (market exchange rate, 2007 est.): $893 billion.
GDP (PPP method, 2007 est.): $1.353 trillion.
Per capita GDP (PPP method, 2007 est.): $12,500.
Annual real GDP growth: (2007) 3.3%; (2006) 4.8%.
Inflation rate: (2007) 3.8%; (2006) 3.4%; (2005) 3.3%.
Natural resources: Petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber.
Agriculture (4% of GDP): Products--corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes, beef, poultry, dairy products, wood products.
Industry (26% of GDP): Types--food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables.
Services (70% of GDP): Types--commerce and tourism, financial services, transportation and communications.
Trade (Goods): Exports (2007)--$272 billion. Imports (2007)--$283 billion. Exports to U.S. (2007)--$223 billion (82% of total). Imports from U.S. (2007)--$141 billion (50% of total). Major markets--U.S., EU, Canada. (*) (Top)