Industry of Mexico: description, industries, features and interesting facts

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Mexico is a fairly large South American state, which is characterized by a centuries-old history of its existence and a very powerful economic potential, which has not been fully disclosed to this day. In this regard, the article will examine in detail the industry of Mexico and its features.

Historical background

Agriculture is the real backbone and backbone of this Latin American country's economy. The natural conditions for the development of industry in Mexico make it possible to fully engage in the extraction of various minerals on its territory, but since the time of the Aztecs, land cultivation has staked out a dominant position in the development of the state.

Since ancient times, the Aztecs created artificial islands called chinampas. On these areas, ancient farmers harvested up to seven crops a year, and grew grain and various horticultural crops on them. At the same time, cocoa beans were considered very rare, which were sometimes used as a bargaining chip to pay for services and goods.

Modern times

And in our timenatural resources for the development of industry in Mexico are scooped, as they say, directly from the earth. So, as before, crop production occupies a leading position in agriculture. For the most part, Mexicans grow soybeans, beans, fruits, tomatoes, rice, corn and beans. An impressive part of fruits and coffee is exported to other countries. Fishermen are actively working in the coastal zones of the state.

In general, agriculture fully covers the needs of the local population in this kind of products. The bulk of rural production is concentrated on small private farms. At the same time, 6.1 million hectares of all sown areas are provided with artificial irrigation.

Sugarcane is grown in quite large quantities - about 42 million tons per year. Pineapples, citrus fruits, avocados, mangoes, vegetables, peanuts are shipped abroad in large quantities.

Livestock

The main direction is cattle breeding, which is carried out mainly in the central and northern regions of the country. A fairly large percentage of livestock is exported. The zebu breed is bred in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, sheep, goats, pigs, mules and horses are counted in the millions.

Forestry

Studying the industry of Mexico, it is impossible not to point out that the main forest areas are concentrated in the Western Sierra Madre and the southeast. Wood is harvested in the amount of 7.5 million cubic meters. meters per year. The state is richvaluable species of redwood trees.

Textile industry

Mexico's light industry is most concentrated in the region of Puebla - Orizaba - Cordoba, as well as in Mexico City and Guadalajara. In this sphere of the national economy, for the most part, medium and small enterprises are involved, which employ a small number of personnel. The country is famous all over the world for its medium staple cotton, which is used to produce very high quality fabrics. In terms of the production of denim, Mexico firmly holds the fourth position on the planet.

Engineering

The specialization of the Mexican industry is such that the production of a variety of equipment is now gaining momentum. So, in particular, there are 39 factories in the country that produce cars of various classes and buses. TV sets, microwave ovens, refrigerators, automatic washing machines are also assembled. But the most interesting thing is that in recent times Mexico has been included in the cohort of countries - the largest exporters of computer equipment. Railway cars, machine tools, and agricultural equipment are produced in the state.

Aerospace

Airliners of foreign companies are being assembled in the country, and control systems are also being produced. Many enterprises in the country have begun to master the creation of helicopters and commercial jets. Aeromarmi, a local firm, makes light propeller-driven aircraft, while Hydra Technology develops unmanned aerial vehicles.devices. Significantly, Mexico has its own television satellite in geostationary Earth orbit.

Oil industry

Specialization of the Mexican industry is precisely oil refining and its production. In the state, over 90% of the extraction of oil from the subsoil is carried out within the state company called Petroleos Mexicanos.

In the mid-1970s, the country became one of the world leaders in the sale and production of oil. However, after 10 years there was a sharp drop in oil prices on the world market, and Mexico became a big debtor, which led to a default on external debts already in 1982. As a result, the state leadership was forced to allow private investors into the industry, which gave impetus to its development. Today, the petrochemical industry, in its essence, consists of 15 branches, among which the pharmaceutical direction and the production of plastics are listed. By the way, the specialization of the industry of Mexico and Canada is almost the same, since the North American country also has oil production at the heart of its economy.

Gas production

Despite the fact that Mexico has its own gas reserves of 13.2 trillion cubic meters. feet, this volume is not enough for her, and she is forced to import it. The main supplier of gas to the country is the United States. Almost 60% of the country's gas is produced in the north and south of the Mexican territory. The state also has two large liquefied natural gas terminals.

Metallurgy

Mexican industry in this area is verypowerfully developed. The complex of enterprises in this industry is concentrated in the northern part of the country, which has rich deposits of non-ferrous metals and iron ore. Metallurgical enterprises fully meet the internal needs of the state and a significant part of the products are exported. Non-ferrous metallurgy plants are based in Mexico City and Veracruz.

Mining

Considering the industries of Mexico, it is worth paying attention to the extraction of various ores. The country occupies the first place in the world in terms of extraction of silver from the bowels (2368 tons). In addition, iron ore, copper, zinc, cadmium, manganese, antimony, and mercury are mined in large quantities. Gold, tungsten, molybdenum, uranium, and high-quality coal are extracted in somewhat smaller volumes. Almost half of all sulfur reserves on the American continent are located in Mexico.

Food products

This industry is represented by the production of tortillas and flour. A stable and large-scale production of coffee, sugar, and alcoholic beverages has also been established. Almost all food products are produced in the country by multinational companies.

Energy sector

Mexico generates a total of about 32,000 megawatts. At the same time, half of all electricity falls on thermal power plants operating on coal, oil, and gas. A third of the electricity is produced by hydroelectric power plants and only 3% comes from geothermal power plants. Nuclear energy accounts for only 2% of the generated electricity.

Interesting facts

Mexico is the second country in the world to produce a drink called Coca-Cola. The country has concentrated 54 manufacturing plants on its territory.

Mexico is the third state on the planet that does not have a budget deficit, but at the same time has a low standard of living, forcing people to migrate to the USA.