·· The United Mexican States, the third largest of the Latin American nations, lies strategically on the southern border of the USA.

·· To the east of Mexico is the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea; to the west and south the Pacific Ocean; and to the southeast, Guatemala and Belize.

·· It covers an area of 1 972 550 square kilometres.

·· Mexico City is the principal financial, commercial and industrial centre.

·· Guadalajara is the 2nd largest city with a wide range of light industries. It is also a distribution centre.

·· Monterrey ranks second only to Mexico City for heavy industry.

·· Other centres include Guanajuato, Jalapa Enriquez, Ciudad Victoria and Puebla de Zaragoza.

·· Leon de los Aldama, Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Mexicali, Acapulco and Queretaro.

The metric system is utilised.