United States of México
Mexico, a vibrant tapestry woven with ancient civilizations and Spanish influences, beckons with diverse landscapes from deserts and mountains to pristine coastlines. Immerse in its ecological wonders, teeming with flora and fauna, and awe-inspiring natural marvels like Copper Canyon, Monarch Butterfly Biosphere, and Cenotes of Yucatán. Explore its rich culinary heritage, embrace the climatic contrasts across dry, comfortable springs and winters to humid, rainy summers, and discover breathtaking sites like Hierve el Agua and Xel-Há, where nature’s beauty takes center stage.
Discover more about Mexico’s ecological wonders by choosing the tab you want to explore!
- Total Population: 129,038,757 (Feb 2024) | Projected by 2030 – 134,534,107.
- – World Rank: 10 , 1.6% of the world’s total population.
- – Population Density: 66 people per km2 | 171 people per mi2
- – Most Populous City: Mexico City | 12,294,193 (2024)
- – Least Populous City: Ixtepec |25,381 (2024)
- – Least Populous Village (non-urban): Ranchería – 142 (2024)
- Per person: 2.5 global hectares.
- Biocapacity: 1.7 global hectares.
- Global ranking: 89
- Agriculture – 64.3%
- Pastures & Grazing: 35.7%
- Arable Land and Permanent Crops: 28.6%
- Forests – 34%
- Non-Agricultural/Artificial Space (Human Development): 1.1%
- Open/Bare Spaces – 0.1%
- Wetlands & Water Bodies: 0.1%
- Semi-Natural Vegetation: 0.4%
- Primary Food Products
- Main food Crops: coffee, banana , tomatoes, corn ,pineapples
- Top Non-crop Food Commodities: beef, fish
- Top Non-Food Products: iron and steel, wool , cotton , electronics
- Average Annual Surface Temperature: 20.6 °C | 69.68°
- Spring (March – May): 18°C – 30°C |64°F – 86°F
- Conditions: Mostly dry with little rain and comfortable temperatures.
- Summer (June – August): 21°C – 28°C |70°F – 82°F
- Conditions: High humidity, frequent rainfall (afternoon showers), warm temperatures.
- Fall (September – November): 21°C – 30°C | 70°F – 86°F
- Conditions: Transition from the rainy season to the dry season. Rainfall decreases with drier, comfortable temperatures towards November.
- Winter (December – February): 18°C – 25°C | 64°F – 77°F
- Conditions: Dry season with sunny days, little to no rain, and cooler temperatures.
- Hottest Month (average high): May | 27°C – 33°C | 80.6°F – 91.4°F
- Coldest Month (average low): January | 7°C – 14°C | 44.6°F – 57.2°F
- Coldest temperature on record: -32°C |-25.6°F in Los Lamentos, Chihuahua on January 11, 1962.
- Hottest temperature on record: 52°C|125.6°F in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora in 2014.
- Surface water: 62.03 bcm | 16,396.48 trillion gallons.
- Ground water: 14.48 bcm | 3825.68 trillion gallons.
- Total Water volume: 76.508 m3 | 20,208.6 quadrillion gallons.
- Potable Water Supply per Person: 3,606 m3 /year| 953.041 million gallons.
- Average Precipitation: 725 mm | 28.54 inches.
- Approximately 77% of Mexico’s population relies on public water supply with 23% dependent on domestic wells.
- Total Energy Used: 7,872.384 trillion BTU | 188 MTOE | 2,308.007 billion kWh – kilowatt hours)
- Global Rank in Energy Consumption: 21
- Percentage of Total Global Energy Consumption: 0.9
- Primary fuel sources used: Oil 44.3% | Coal – 5.4% | Natural Gas – 39% | Renewables – 7.1%
- Almost 7.1% of Mexico’s electricity needs comes from renewable energy.
- Renewable Energy Sources: Wind – 4.2% | Hydropower – 1.6% | Solar – 1.3%
- Total Identified Living Species: ~155199 Flora and Fauna.
- 131,085 identified fauna.
- 24,114 identified flora, fungi, and others.
Total Number of Endangered/Threatened Plant and Animal Species: 2,324 - 1371 are plant species.
- 953 are animal species.
- Threatened and endangered species are primarily affected by Habitat Loss and Degradation (urbanization, agriculture, and mining), Climate change, Illegal Wildlife Trade, Hunting, Poaching and Lack of Enforcement of Conservation Laws.
Here are six fascinating and intriguing Natural Wonders of Mexico… among many:
- Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre): A breathtaking network of six interconnected canyons in the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountain range, larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon. This geological marvel boasts dramatic cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and a diverse array of flora and fauna, including rare species found nowhere else on Earth.
- Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve: Every year, between October and March, millions of Monarch butterflies migrate to the oyamel fir forests in central Mexico, creating a mesmerizing natural spectacle. The butterflies cluster together, coating the trees in a vibrant orange blanket, in one of the most remarkable insect migrations on the planet.
- Cenotes of Yucatán: The cenotes of Yucatan are unique geological formations exposing crystal-clear underground rivers and caverns through natural sinkholes. Formed by the erosion over time of the massive Chicxulub asteroid impact crater from 66 million years ago that caused dinosaur extinction, these sinkholes offer a glimpse into the region’s intricate subterranean world created by the initial asteroid impact. Adorned with stunning rock formations, the cenotes are home to diverse aquatic life and part of the “Ring of Cenotes” surrounding the ancient Chicxulub impact site. These natural wonders provide a direct link to the cataclysmic event that changed the course of life on Earth.
- Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System: Stretching along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, this is the second-largest coral reef system in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef. Teeming with an astonishing diversity of marine species, including vibrant coral gardens, tropical fish, sharks, rays, and sea turtles, it is a true underwater paradise.
- Hierve el Agua: Located in Oaxaca, this geological wonder features a series of petrified waterfalls, formed over thousands of years by the continuous flow of mineral-rich spring water. The rock formations, resembling frozen cascades, create a surreal and captivating landscape, unlike anything else in the world.
- Xel-Há: A natural wonder on the Riviera Maya, this inlet is a protected cove teeming with vibrant marine life and lush vegetation. With its crystal-clear waters, hidden cenotes, and diverse ecosystems, Xel-Há offers a unique opportunity to explore a pristine natural aquarium, home to a wide array of tropical fish, corals, and other aquatic species.
Credits*:
- Research Group: iConsult Collaborative – Syracuse University
- Principal Researcher: Suyash Mukund Jadhav, iConsult Collaborative
- Senior Researcher: Jainish Savaliya, iConsult Collaborative
- Web Publishing: Praneel Mhatre, iConsult Collaborative | LinkedIn
- Web Layout IT Application: Nidhi Chauhan iConsult Collaborative
- Database: Ecology Prime Data Resources
- Strategic Partner: Foundation for Ecology
- Critical Review: Eric McLamb
- Scientific Review and Approval: Dr. Jack C. Hall

Welcome from the United States of Mexico!

photo by Jean Paul Montanaro)
Mexico, officially known as the United States of Mexico (is a vibrant tapestry of culture, history, and natural biodiversity that encases three distinctive climates.
First inhabited by humans over 40,000 years ago, Mexico is nestled between the Pacific Ocean to the west and southwest, the Gulf of Mexico to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the southeast. Land borders Mexico to the north by the United States and to the southeast by Guatemala and Belize.
The tenth most populous country in the world, Mexico is a melting pot of cultures and traditions. From the ancient Olmec culture to the present day, it is home to 62 indigenous tribes residing across 18 of the country’s 31 states, each contributing to the colorful mosaic of Mexican identity.
Mexico is home to over 30 pyramids, a testament to the ingenuity of its ancestors and the majesty of its heritage. But it is not just the Mexico’s history that sets the country apart; it is its natural beauty as well.
One of Mexico’s most distinctive geographic features is its Baja California peninsula. Containing two states, the 1,247 km (775 mi) long strip of land is separated from the mainland by the Gulf of California (also called the Sea of Cortez). This unique geography gives rise to Mexico’s great biological diversity, which spans temperate, arid, and tropical regions. The Baja California Peninsula is home to 529 naturally occurring bird species, among which is the Xantus Hummingbird, found exclusively on the peninsula.
Mexico is one of the world’s more biologically diverse countries with its vast deserts, tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, and alpine ecosystems. Ranked fifth globally for natural biodiversity, Mexico supports over 50,000 plant species and boasts 47,539 named mountains.
From the towering peaks to the expansive deserts, Mexico is an extraordinary destination for nature lovers, adventurers, and explorers. Among its natural wonders is the Paricutin volcano, recognized as one of the world’s seven natural wonders, yet still remains undiscovered by many residents and visitors.
Mexican people cherish not only the natural wonders of their land, but they also hold a deep reverence for sustainability. Recognizing the importance of preserving ecological heritage for future generations, Mexico remains steadfast in its commitment to land conservation and responsible tourism practices.From the ancient civilizations that once flourished on its soil to its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture that pulses through its streets, Mexico is a tapestry woven with threads of history, and natural splendor. This is the United States of Mexico…
National Language: Spanish | Español (ehs – pah – nyohl)
- While Mexico’s Constitution does not explicitly declare an official language, Spanish stands as the de facto linguistic heartbeat, spoken by over 99% of the population.
- Mexico officially acknowledges 68 indigenous languages.
- Over 7 million people speak indigenous languages.

country’s most populous city. (Photo by Fernando Paleta).
Unique Mexico Facts: Did You Know…?
- Mexico’s official name is Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United States of Mexico). Before the Spanish conquest, the capital was known as Tenochtitlan. After gaining independence in 1821 from Spain, Mexico City has served as the capital since the colonial period and continues to do so today.
- Mexico is home to the world’s largest pyramid, larger than the Pyramid of Giza, the Great Pyramid of Cholula in the Mexican state of Puebla, is mostly buried underground!

- Mexico has 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including ancient ruins, historic towns, and natural areas. Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco is the perhaps the most popular one.
- Color TV was invented by Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena. He was born in Guadalajara, a visionary at the age of 23 in 1940, obtaining a patent for the inaugural color image transmission system, a groundbreaking invention later employed in the Voyager 1 Spacecraft.
- Mexican cuisine varies by region, with northern areas favoring rice-filled burritos like those found in Mexica food restaurants worldwide. Contrary to popular belief, authentic Mexican flavors often emphasize a tangy sourness from abundant use of limes, known as ‘lemons’, in Spanish.
- The Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico marks the location of the Chicxulub Crater created by the massive asteroid impact 65 million years ago that wiped out an estimated 75% of Earth’s living species. The crater itself is buried under the Yucatán Peninsula.
- Mexico has the world’s smallest volcano, Cuexcomate, which has an elevation of 43 feet (13 meters). It is situated just outside the city of Puebla. It is the only place in the world where a rare rabbit called the volcano rabbit can be found.
- Mexico has 10 times as many islands as Hawaii! 1,365 islands are scattered along the coast of Mexico, covering an area of 5,127 km2 (1,980 mi2).
- The Paricutin Volcano in Mexican state of Michoacán, is the only volcano whose entire lifecycle has been witnessed by humankind. Paricutin formed spectacularly in the middle of a cornfield near the city of Uruapan in 1943, rapidly rising to its current elevation of over 1,300 feet and burying most of the nearby region with molten lava and ash. A symbol of both destruction and creation, Paricutin is one of the most visited attractions in Mexico today.
- Mexican cuisine is recognized by the United Nations (UNESCO) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- Mexico is the birthplace of chocolate! The ancient Mayans and Aztecs were among the first to cultivate cacao beans, which is the source of today’s international confectionery favorite.
- The world’s second-largest barrier reef, known as the Mesoamerican Reef, stretches 700 miles from the northern tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and also touches the coasts of Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.
Mexico’s Home Statistics
(Note: Some statistics are approximate due to varying methods of recording by various established sources, i.e., population, living species and water volume totals. Others are more precise, i.e., surface area, precipitation/rainfall, air quality and temperatures.)

Population
Total Population: 131,946,900 (2025) | Projected by 2050 – 148,946,274
(Source: United Nations DESA: Population Division)
- World Rank: 10, 1.6% of the world’s total population.
- Population Density: 66 people per km2 | 171 people per mi2
- Most Populous City: Mexico City | 12,294,193 (2024)
- Least Populous City: Ixtepec| 25,381 (2024)
- Least Populous Village (non-urban): Ranchería – 142 (2024)

Surface Area
Total Surface Area: 1,964,375 km2 | 758,449.43 mi2
- World Rank: 14
- 98.96% is Land Surface Area: 1,943,945 km2 | 750561.36 mi2 – 1.3% of the world’s total land area.
- 1.04% is Water Surface Area: 20,430 km2 |7888.06 mi2 – 0.00565% of the world’s water surface.
New! Mother Earth™
Meet Your Mother Earth™!
The Great Adaptation

Temperature
Average Annual Temperature (2023): 20.6°C |69.68°F*
- Average High – 23°C |73.4°F, Average Low – 15°C | 59°F.
(Based on average temperatures from central upland and coastal lowlands areas.) - Hottest Month (average high): May | 27°C – 33°C | 80.6°F – 91.4°F
- Coldest Month (average low): January | 7°C – 14°C | 44.6°F – 57.2°F
- Coldest temperature on record: -32°C |-25.6°F in Los Lamentos, Chihuahua on January 11, 1962.
- Hottest temperature on record: 52°C|125.6°F in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora in 2014.

Water
Total Water Volume: 76.503 billion cubic meters (bcm)|20,208.6 trillion gallons
- Surface water: 48.2 bcm | 10,949.6 trillion gallons.
- Ground water: 5.6 bcm | 1,274.9 trillion gallons.
- Annual Precipitation (average): 1,113.4 mm | 43.8 inches. (Source with Link)
- Potable (rechargeable) water supply per resident: 125 cubic meters/ year (33.02 million gallons).
Dinosaur Dialogues
Dinosaur Dialogues™
The Cactus


Energy
Annual Total Energy Usage (est. for 2024): 7,872.384 trillion BTU (188 MTOE –
megatonnes of oil equivalent or 2,308.007 billion kWh – kilowatt hours)
- Global ranking in energy consumption: 21 (World Data Info)
- Percentage of Total Global Energy Consumption: 0.9%.
- 7,156,919.974 BTU | 2,097 kWh per capita – ranks 63 worldwide – 2023 (Enerdata)
- Energy Sources (based on 2023 data): Oil 44.3% | Coal – 5.4% | Natural Gas – 39% | Renewables – 7.1%. (International Energy Agency – IEA)
- Renewable Energy Sources: Wind – 4.2% | Solar – 1.3% | Hydro – 1.6%
- Electricity Sources: Fossil Fuels – 82.1%| Renewables – 17.9% (LowCarbonPower)

Air Quality
Air Quality Index – AQI: 68.65 Moderate
- Global ranking – 2024: 34th polluted nation of 243 monitored. (Numbeo)
- Most polluted city: Xonacatlan, State of Mexico (2023) | AQI = 87 – Moderate – (IQAir – Mexico)
- Least polluted city: Hermosillo, Sonora (2023) | AQI = 21 – Good – (IQAir – Mexico)
- Major pollutants and sources: Particulate Matter and gases (Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Volatile Organic Compounds) stemming mainly from industrial development, vehicle exhaust, residential wood and charcoal burning, and agricultural processes.
Around the World
The Ecological Impact of the Industrial Revolution
The Great Adaptation

Flora
24,114 species
- Flowering Plants: 22,126
- Ferns and Lycophytes: 1,039
- Liverworts/Mosses: ~800
- Gymnosperms (Conifers, Cycads): 149
Total Number of Critically Endangered/Endangered/Threatened Plant and Animal Species: 2,324 (IUCN Red List in 2023)
- Plant species: 475 endangered species, and 896 threatened species.
- Animal species: 371 are vulnerable, 353 as endangered, and 229 as critically endangered.
- Threatened and endangered species are primarily affected by Habitat Loss and Degradation (urbanization, agriculture, and mining), Climate change, Illegal Wildlife Trade, Hunting, Poaching and Lack of Enforcement of Conservation Laws.

Fauna
Total Number of Identified Living Species: 155,199
- Identified Fauna: 131,085
- Invertebrates – 125,585
- 48,000 insects
- Vertebrates – 5, 500
- 2,695 fishes
- 1,107 birds
- 535 mammals
- 804 reptiles
Living Things
Arctic Fox


Mexico: Sources and Research
We’d like to credit this diverse list of organizations for providing source material to create this platform.
- AllAboutBaja.com
- America Birding Association – Baja Peninsula
- American Lung Association
- AQI Dashboard – Mexico City
- BBC News – Ancient Maya
- Britannica
- Center for Biological Diversity
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CIA – The World Fact Book
- CN Traveller – World’s Largest Pyramid
- Current Results
- Edge of Existence – Volcano Rabbit
- Enerdata – Mexico
- Enjoy Travel
- Environmental Performance Index
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Factmonster
- Google Arts & Culture – The Original Patent for Color Television
- History.com – Aztecs
- International Energy Agency – IEA
- IQAir – Mexico City
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- LiveandInvestOverseas – Climate In Mexico
- LowCarbonPower
- Mexico Biodiversity
- Mexico News Daily – Coldest Temperature
- Mexico Travel Blog
- NASA – Voyager 1
- Nation Master – Hottest Temperature
- National Audubon Society – Xantus’s Hummingbird
- National Library of Medicine
- Numbeo – Pollution Index by City 2024
- Planetware – Natural Wonders of the World
- Puebla City – Cuexcomate Geyser
- Research Gate
- Rutopia – Mexican Flowers
- Science Direct
- Science.org – Chicxulub Crater
- SevenNaturalWonders
- Smithsonian
- Spanish55
- Statista
- Statista – Mexico Threatened Animal Species
- Trading Economics
- Travel Mexico Solo
- TripSavy – Natural Wonders of Mexico
- UNESCO – World Heritage Convention
- World Atlas – Map of Guatemela
- World Bank – Climate Change Knowledge Portal
- World Data Info
- World History Encyclopedia
- World Population Review – Mexico
- Worldometers – Mexico Data
- WorldWildLife.org – Mesoamerican Reef

Notable Environental Organizations and Platforms in Mexico
- Akumal Monkey Sanctuary
- Center for Farmworker Families
- Earth to Tables Legacies – Mexico
- Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (FMCN)
- Human Society International – Mexico
- Metropolitan Water Fund of Monterrey (FAMM)
- Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA)
- Mexico Marine Wildlife Rescue Center
- National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONAP)
- Protash
- The Nature Conservancy
- Via Organica
- Water.org – Mexico
- World Animal Protection – Mexico
- World Wildlife Fund Mexico

Notable Mexico Colleges & Universities for Environmental Studies
- Anáhuac University
- Autonomous University of Nuevo León
- Guarantor’s Southern Border College (ECOSUR)
- Metropolitan Autonomous University
- Monterrey Institute of Technology
- National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
- National Polytechnic Institute
- Popular Autonomous University of the State of Puebla
- Technological Institute of Sonora (ITSON)
- University of Guadalajara
Research & Development Credits:
- Principal Research Group: iConsult Collaborative – Syracuse University
- Web Layout and IT Application: Praneel Girish Mhatre, iConsult Collaborative, LinkedIn.
- Database: Ecology Prime Data Resources
- Strategic Partner: Foundation for Ecology
- Scientific Review and Approval: Dr. Jack C. Hall
- Executive Review and Student Development: Eric McLamb

- Principal Researcher
Suyash Mukund Jadhav
iConsult Collaborative
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suyash-jadhav/

- Senior Researcher
Jainish Savaliya
iConsult Collaborative
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jainish10/

Web Publishing
Praneel Mhatre | LinkedIn
iConsult Collaborative














































