Exploring Our World: People, Places, and Cultures

"Economic Changes in Mexico"

Introduction
In this chapter, you have learned how Mexico’s geography and climate created an economy that relied mainly on agriculture in the past. Now, because of its close ties to the United States and Canada, Mexico’s economy is branching out. On this Web site, you will learn how the United States plays a key role in Mexico’s changing economy.

Destination Title: U.S. Department of State: Mexico

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Directions
Start at the Department of State: Mexico Web site.

• Scroll down to the fourth heading: Economy.

1			Gross domestic product, or GDP, is the final amount of goods and services from a nation in a year. What percentage of Mexico’s GDP does agriculture account for? What percentage does industry account for? And what percentage do services account for?
2			What are the types of services that are becoming a larger part of the economy?
3			At the top of the page, click on the subsection Economy to the left. Scroll down to the Trade section. Read the first paragraph and answer the following question. When the U.S. exports car parts to Mexico and Mexico exports cars to the U.S., what are Mexico’s workers doing?
4			Scroll down and read the section Manufacturing and Foreign Investment. Answer the following question. Which country invests the most money in Mexico? What percentage of foreign investment in Mexico is this country responsible for?
5			Scroll down and read U.S.-Mexican Relations. Answer the following question. Why is it important to the United States for Mexico to be economically successful?