Mexico is a traveller's paradise, crammed with a multitude of opposing identities: desert landscapes, snow-capped volcanoes, ancient ruins, teeming industrialised cities, time-warped colonial towns, glitzy resorts, lonely beaches and a world-beating collection of flora and fauna.

This mix of modern and traditional, the cliched and the surreal, is the key to Mexico's charm, whether your passion is throwing back margaritas, listening to howler monkeys, surfing the Mexican Pipeline, scrambling over Mayan ruins or expanding your Day of the Dead collection of posable skeletons.

One look at this country is enough to remind visitors that there is nothing new about the so-called New World. Despite the considerable colonial legacy and rampant modernisation, almost 60 distinct indigenous peoples survive, largely thanks to their rural isolation.

Warning

Crime in Mexico has reached critical levels, particularly in Mexico City. The incidence of violent crime and, more specifically, sexual assault in crimes committed against women is on the up. Travellers should also be aware of the potential for political unrest in southern Mexico.

Commonly reported crimes involve taxi theft, armed theft, metro theft, pickpocketing, purse snatching, credit-card fraud and ATM robbery The southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas are political hotbeds where travellers should maintain a high level of personal security awareness.

Full country name: Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Area: 1.95 million sq km
Population: 100.35 million
Capital City: Mexico City (22 million people)
People: Approximately 60% mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian descent) and 30% Amerindian ( indigena - including Nahua, Maya, Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Totonacs, and Tarascos or Purepecha)
Language: Spanish; Castilian
Religion: 90% Roman Catholic, 6% Protestant
Government: Federal republic
Head of State: President Vincente Fox Quesada

GDP: US$915 billion
GDP per capita: US$9,100
Annual Growth: 7%
Inflation: 9%
Major Industries: Food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism.
Major Trading Partners: USA, Canada, Japan, Germany