MINING IN MEXICO — Growing population tops 84 million

Mexico has an area of 1.96 million sq. km. Its population, estimated at 84.1 million in 1992, has recently been growing at 1.8% per year.

About 70% of the population lives in urban areas, with more than half of the urban population living in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. The population is young; those aged 14 years or under account for nearly 40% of the total. Average life expectancy is 69 years.

Mexico has a highly diversified economy. Although good farming conditions exist in a relatively small area, irrigation has increased the amount of arable land. Beans, corn, coffee, soya, sorghum and tomatoes are its most important agricultural commodities. Livestock and fishing are also important industries.

Mexico is endowed with rich mineral deposits, particularly of silver (of which it is the world’s largest producer), lead, copper and iron. Mexico is the sixth-largest producer of oil and gas.

Tourism accounts for an increasingly important part of its economy. In 1992, more than six million tourists visited the country.

The industrial sector includes large metal, chemical and vehicle assembly plants, as well as several free-trade zones, including assembly plants along the border with the U.S.

A middle-income country, Mexico’s gross domestic product per capita is estimated to be US$4,100.

— From a recent issue of the International Monetary Fund’s “IMF Survey.”