After more than 10 years of war and centuries of Spanish dominance dating to conquest by Hernán Cortés and the conquistadors, Mexico won independence in 1821. Since then, its history has been linked closely with that of the U.S. Now, Mexico's rich cultural heritage and diversity stand in stark contrast to its somewhat volatile political and social state. Life in Mexico is often characterized by extremes, most notably in regard to income disparity, but also in terms of the contrast between urban and rural populations.
Poverty and Migration
Mexico City is among the busiest and most populated cities in the world, with pockets of immense wealth and political power. Despite these pockets, large shanty towns encircle the metropolis, forcing families to live among garbage heaps, factory waste, and other safety and environmental hazards with little access to services. In rural regions, Mexicans suffer from isolation, poverty, poor health, and few income opportunities. Drug-related crime has also reached staggering proportions over the past few years; since President Felipe Calderón took office in 2006, over 10,000 people have died from drug-related violence, while large swaths of territory remain under the control of narcotics gangs. As a consequence of poverty and drug-related instability, approximately 400,000 Mexicans immigrate to the United States in search of jobs each year, at great personal risk. Those lucky enough to become gainfully employed send their earnings back home; remittances are a major force in the Mexican economy.
Progress
Despite these setbacks, the country has made tremendous progress in the past decade. Mexico is the 12th largest economy in the world and is considered a firmly established middle-income country. It is also a leading oil producer and the U.S.’s leading trading partner. The 70-year-long rule of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) ended in 2000 with the election of Vicente Fox of the National Action Party (PAN), eliminating the era of one-party rule and ushering in a more democratic system with a stronger and more cohesive mandate. The 2010 World Gender Gap Report shows that mexico's economy has improved slightly due to small gains within the women's labor force. Yet the percentage of women in the labor force still remains half that of the percentage of men, resulting in a large wage gap.
Indigenous Groups
The indigenous populations of Mexico have long suffered economic, political and social marginalization. Comprising between 12% and 30% of the population, indigenous groups maintain the lowest life expectancies and highest infant mortality rates in the country. Despite discrimination, demands for indigenous rights have been forceful. On January 1,1994, the day of NAFTA’s signing, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) launched an aggressive campaign for indigenous and peasant rights. While early clashes between the rebels and government forces led to violence, protests have been largely peaceful since 1994. The international community has shown strong support for both the rebels and the indigenous rights movement in general, calling for an end to the stigma and human rights abuses directed at indigenous communities.