9781422286944

Mexican Facts and Figures

killed in this vicious conflict, known as the narco war, yet the cartels continue to fight with each other, as well as with Mexican authorities. As the southernmost nation in North America, Mexico is located between the United States to the north and the Latin American countries to the south. Mexico shares the language, heritage, and customs of much of Latin America—but it also has strong emotional and economic bonds with its northern neighbor. Living so close to the United States, Mexicans see the wealth and opportunities enjoyed by many Americans. They want these same benefits for themselves. As a result, millions of Mexicans have opted to leave their homeland and immigrate to the United States, hoping to find a better life there. Many Mexicans follow legal channels when they come to the U.S. looking for work; however, some sneak across the border illegally. If they are caught, they will be sent back to Mexico.

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A homeless woman sleeps on a street in Mexico City. The gap between the wealthy and poor is a major problem in Mexico, as more than half of the population—over 60 million people—lives below the poverty line.