Mexico is one of the largest states located on the American continent. This applies both to the size of the country and the number of people living in it. Based on the latest census conducted here in 2010, Mexico's population at that time was just over 112 million people. As of today, according to rough estimates, the number of residents of the state has grown to 120 million.
Brief History
At the time of the expansion of the country by Europeans, at least 4.5 million people lived in the territory of modern Mexico, according to various sources. Some researchers call the figure 5 times larger. Be that as it may, the colonial policy pursued by the conquerors led to the fact that as of 1605 there were no more than one million inhabitants. Over the next two centuries, Mexico's population grew to 7 million. After 90 years, the number of local residents doubled. The period after the end of World War II was marked by a phenomenal increase in the number of Mexicans. The average annual growth at this time reached 3%. In this indicator, it was Mexico that became one of the world leaders. The country's population in the seventies of the twentieth century was already 70 million people. In this regard, the government passed a law designed to resolve the situation. In particular, by 2000, the average annual growth should not exceed 1%. This decision allowed slightly, but still reduce the population growth rate only in the nineties. This was also facilitated by the mass emigration of the local population in search of a better life in the United States. As of today, as noted above, almost 120 million people live in the state. According to demographic studies, this indicator will continue to grow in the coming years.
Resettlement
The state is extremely unevenly populated. Mexico has an average population density of 57 people per square kilometer. Almost 55% of local residents live in the central regions of the country, which account for only 15% of its area. This region in the history of the state has always played the role of a political, cultural and economic center. The population density here reaches 600 people per 1 km 2 . The worst populated areas are the north, the Yucatan Peninsula and Baja California. Here, for every square kilometer, an average of 20 inhabitants.
Ethnic composition
Until the first Europeans appeared here, the population of Mexico consisted of numerous tribes. Some scientists claim that their number reached the mark of 700. At the same time, the natives spoke 100 different languages. Over the entire period of colonization, more than 300 thousand Spaniards emigrated to the country, who massively married with local residents. The mestizos, today prevailing in ethnic composition, became their descendants. Their number is more than half - about 65 million people.
The indigenous population of Mexico is the second largest ethnic group. Among the Aboriginal people, descendants of the Mayan tribe predominate , which have long been assimilated in modern society. The number of representatives of the black race is small - about 200 thousand people. Their descendants were brought to the country in the colonial era to work on plantations and mines. Even after the independence of the state, there was no massive immigration of African Americans to it. The largest diasporas living in the country are the French, Germans, British, Chinese and Japanese.
Languages
Almost the entire population of Mexico (93%) speaks Spanish, which has the status of the state. At the same time, one cannot fail to note the fact that not every Spaniard can understand all the words. The fact is that for a long time using the language fell under the influence of Native American dialects. Over a million local people use Aboriginal languages to communicate. They absolutely do not know Spanish, which leads to the impossibility of their education. As a result, most indigenous people in Mexico are illiterate.
Wealth and Employment
As of today, in a country like Mexico, per capita GDP averages 16.3 thousand US dollars per year. The field of economics is characterized by high contrast. In particular, according to official data, more than 40% of the country's annual income is concentrated in 10% of the wealthiest citizens. It is not surprising that in the list of the richest inhabitants of the world according to Forbes every year there is a place for 10-11 Mexicans. On the other hand, more than one third of the country's inhabitants live in moderate and extreme poverty.
The population of Mexico is predominantly employed in agriculture. The unemployment rate in the state is slightly less than 5%. Moreover, one cannot fail to note the large role of the so-called informal employment. In particular, about 30% of able-bodied residents (which is 14 million people) are not officially registered. As for the average wage, it is about 4 US dollars per day.
Culture
In a country like Mexico, population and culture were finally formed as a result of the merger of Aboriginal people with Spanish conquistadors. This can be seen in religion, languages, and other aspects of life. Along with this, even in the pre-Hispanic period, many representatives of art created here, whose works have survived to this day. In this case, we are talking about cave paintings and letters, which are considered a local business card. It should also be noted the heads carved from stone by the Olmec Indians, Mayan frescoes and murals in the heavenly place of the rain god. In the colonial period, the culture of Mexico was more religiously distinct and was influenced by Spain, which can be seen in the chapels, altars and wall decorations of the buildings erected at that time.
In the post-revolutionary period, most public and government buildings were decorated with the forces of such famous cultural figures as David Siqueiros, Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco. The main theme in art at this time was related to social and historical topics. Currently, North American culture has an increasing influence on the country.
As for religion, there is no official religion in the country. Moreover, according to the 1917 constitution, the church was subject to certain restrictions. Be that as it may, almost the entire population of Mexico (about 90%) professes Roman Catholicism, about 4% of the locals are atheists, and all other Mexicans adhere to Protestantism and other religious movements.