Mexico is a large country directly south of the United States, sharing a nearly 2,000-mile border from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Its official name is the United Mexican States, and it's home to about 130 million people, making it the world's tenth most populous country.

Mexico has a fascinating history stretching back thousands of years. The Aztec and Maya civilizations built enormous pyramids, developed complex writing systems, and created magnificent cities centuries before Europeans arrived. When Spanish conquistadors conquered the Aztec Empire in 1521, Mexico became a Spanish colony for 300 years. Mexico won its independence in 1821 after a long war.

Today, Mexico is known for its rich culture: vibrant music like mariachi, delicious foods like tacos and tamales, and colorful celebrations like Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The country has diverse geography, from beaches on both coasts to deserts in the north to tropical rainforests in the south. Mexico City, the capital, is one of the largest cities in the world.

Mexico and the United States are close trading partners and share deep cultural connections. Millions of Mexican Americans live in the United States, and many American families vacation in Mexico. The two countries collaborate on countless issues, from business to education to environmental protection.