Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, bridging North and Central America, with a 3,000-year civilisational heritage from the Olmec and Maya through the Aztec to colonial Spanish New Spain.
Geography & landscape
Mexico sits in Central America, in the northern hemisphere of North America. With an area of approximately 1,964,375 km², it is a continental-scale country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Mexico City, lies near coordinates 23°, -102°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of North America, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Central America region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Mexico.
People & society
The population of Mexico is around 129M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Spanish, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Mexico is structured as a federal presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Mexico City, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Mexico City and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Mexico shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Mexico through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Mexico City, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +52, and clocks are set to the Various (UTC-5 to UTC-8) time zone. ISO standards identify Mexico as MX (alpha-2) and MEX (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇲🇽, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Mexico City | — |
| Continent | North America | — |
| Sub-region | Central America | — |
| Population | 129M | people |
| Area | 1,964,375 | km² |
| Currency | Mexican Peso (MXN) | — |
| Calling code | +52 | international dialling |
| Time zone | Various (UTC-5 to UTC-8) | standard time |
| Government type | Federal presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | MX | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | MEX | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 23 | degrees |
| Longitude | -102 | degrees |
Did you know?
Mexico City sits on the drained lake bed of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán and is sinking at up to 50 cm per year in some areas.
