- Economy

Mexicos economic freedom score is 66.8, making its economy the 55th freest in the 2014
Index. Its score is slightly lower than last year, with a notable improvement in trade
freedom offset by declines in the areas of regulatory efficiency and government size and
intrusiveness. Mexico is ranked 3rd out of three countries in the North America region,
but its score is well above the world average.
Over the 20-year history of the Index, Mexico has advanced its economic freedom score
by nearly 4 points. Improvements in half of the 10 economic freedoms include strong
gains in fiscal freedom, business freedom, trade freedom, and financial freedom. Double-
digit declines in property rights and freedom from corruption have limited overall
progress.

Mexicos economy has generally been rated moderately free in the Index, dropping
below that level only briefly in the late 1990s. Despite some progress, Mexicos overall
economic freedom is still constrained by institutional weaknesses including corruption and
labor market rigidity. The governments reform agenda has been extensive, but progress
has been sluggish. The judicial system is slow to resolve cases and vulnerable to
corruption.
The top individual income and corporate tax rates are 30 percent. The corporate income
tax is set to decline to 29 percent in 2014 and 28 percent in 2015. Other taxes include a
value-added tax (VAT). The overall tax burden is 10.6 percent of gross domestic income.
Government spending equates to 27 percent of GDP, and public debt is equal to 43
percent of domestic output. The new government has proposed a tax overhaul.
- Open Markets
Mexico has a 2.2 percent average tariff rate, and non-tariff barriers have been reduced
unilaterally and through numerous trade agreements. The government restricts foreign
investment in several sectors of the economy. Reforms have strengthened the regulatory
framework and increased openness in the financial system, but domestic bank credit to
the private sector equals less than 20 percent of GDP.









- Religion

There is no official religion in Mexico, as the constitution guarantees separation of church
and state. However, more than nine-tenths of the population are at least nominally
affiliated with Roman Catholicism.
The Basilica of Guadalupe, the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexicos patron saint, is
located in Mexico City and is the site of annual
pilgrimage for hundreds of thousands of people, many
of them peasants. Throughout Mexico are thousands
of Catholic churches, convents, pilgrimage sites, and
shrines.
Protestants account for a tiny but rapidly growing
segment of the population, and their missionaries
have been especially successful in converting the
urban poor. A significant proportion of indigenous
peoples practice syncretic religionsthat is, they
retain traditional religious beliefs and practices in
addition to adhering to Roman Catholicism.

- Touristic Places

Acapulco is one of the major cities in Mexico.
The attractions of the city include the Coyuca
Lagoon where people can enjoy wide variety
of aqua activities such as snorkeling, yachting,
fishing and all.

The Rocky Point is another popular destination
in the country. The beautiful town is located on the northern bank of Cortez Sea.

The island of Cancun is an ideal location for water sports. It also offers several
Mayan archeological spots, which attracts tourists to Cancun.

Monterrey, the third largest city of Mexico is home to several tourist attractions
such as the Macro Plaza, Cathedral, Museum of Mexican History, Paseo Santa Lucia
and all.

The Mayan Riviera is one of the most admired
tourist attractions in the whole world. The famous
Mayan Reef, the largest reef of coral in the western
hemisphere, is the main attraction of Mayan Riviera.
- Main Sports

As in most of Latin America, football (soccer) commands the passion of Mexican sports
fans of all ages. From small towns to Mexico City, virtually
everything comes to a halt when the Mexican national team
competes in a World Cup match. Mexico hosted the World Cup
finals in 1970 and 1986.

During the colonial period and the 19th century, bullfighting was
the Mexican sport of choice. Whether the matadors were
Spaniards or Mexican-born, huge crowds gathered to cheer their
efforts in the bullring. Bullfighting remains an integral part of
Mexican culture, and it was not until the introduction of baseball
in the late 19th century that many Mexican fans transferred some of their loyalty away
from bullfighting.
-Typical Dishes
Mole. Mole comes in many different flavors and varieties
depending on where you are in Mexico. Its famously
difficult to make and contains a complex mixture of more
than 20 ingredients from chili peppers to chocolate.
Tamales. There are many, many different varieties of
tamales. Most commonly, they come wrapped inside corn
husks or banana leaves, depending on where they
originate.
Enchiladas Verdes. Green enchiladas are corn tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken and
smothered in green salsa with a little crema and a sprinkling of white cheese.
Pozole. Its made from hominy corn, and is stewed for
hours typically with chicken, pork, or veggies. It is
typically cooked and simmered for hours often
overnight so that the hominy has had a chance to
soften up and the meat can really start to flavor the
broth. Different herbs and spices are added to change
the flavors and it usually means that it comes in various colors and levels of spice white,
green, or red.
Tacos al Pastor. Thin meat slices will be shaved off into small round corn tortillas when
you order it, and topped with fine shavings of pineapple, onion, and cilantro.
-Typical Clothing
Huipil is the most common form of women's traditional
attire. It can be described as a sleeveless tunic, made from
cotton or wool. A huipil is made in distinctive designs,
which convey the wearer's marital status, personal beliefs,
or the community she belongs to. This garment has a
religious significance as well.

Rebozo is a type of shawl or scarf, typically made from
wool, cotton, or silk. It is a popular item of a woman's
attire used in indigenous and non-indigenous communities. It is a multi-functional
garment, also used to carry market goods, fruits, and even babies. Different colors of
stripes are woven into the Robozo to represent the different communities in Mexico.

Mexican skirts are identified by different names such as chincuete, enredo, posahuanco,
enagua, or refajo, depending on the area of origin. Some women prefer to wear ankle-
length skirts, while others favor knee-length ones. The skirts are generally made from
wool and cotton. Nowadays, silk and lace are also used to make skirts for women.

Sarape is the only native addition to a man's
wardrobe. It is a vibrantly colored garment with a
fringe. It represents a combination of Mayan elements
and the Mexican poncho. It is usually made in the
Mexican state of Coahuila.

Charro Suit is a traditional piece of Mexican clothing
that is generally worn on the Day of the Dead, a
Mexican holiday celebrated to remember the death of loved ones. A Charro suit is often
paired with a sombrero.

Sombrero is a wide brimmed hat that made from straw and worn traditionally by men all
over Mexico. This accessory is one of the
most significant denotations of the
culture and customs of Mexico.

-Typical Music
Mariachi
Mariachi music is the first thing that comes to mind when
one thinks of Mexican music. The term Mariachi is
believed to be originated from the French term
mariage which means marriage, as this music was often
played at weddings. The band usually consists of violins,
trumpets, a classical guitar and a vihuela (a five string
guitar). Musicians wear a traditional silver studded
Charro suit, including a sombrero.
Ranchera
Ranchera music draws on traditional folklore and its songs are usually about love,
patriotism or nature. El Grito Mexicano a yell that is done during instrumental
interludes either by the musicians or by members of the audience is common in Ranchera
music. The word Ranchera was derived from the word rancho because the music
originated on the ranches of rural Mexico.

-Typical Dances
Jarabe Tapatio
You may not recognize the Spanish name, but you surely
know the dance. The Jarabe Tapatio, also known as the
Mexican Hat Dance, is the most popular folk dance to ever
spring out of Mexico. Considered to be the nation's official
dance, many learn this as children and continue to dance it
at festivals and birthday parties. The Jarabe Tapatio was
historically a courting dance, with a story behind it of a
young man trying to romantically pursuade a Mexican
maiden.
El Baile de Los Viejitos
El Baile de Los Viejitos, the dance of the old men, was originally written to mock the
Spanish upper class. The men traditionally dance with machetes and masks, while the
women move with fans.
Danza de los Voladores
Danza de los Voladores, or Dance of the Flyers, is
a unique style of dance where the dancers start
out on top of a high pole and then hang upside
down tethered to ropes attached to their ankles
as they are lowered to the ground while circling
the pole. Also known as the Mexican pole dance,
this ritual dance is traditionally performed by five
men: the musician, who remains at the top of the
pole playing a flute and drum, and the four
"flyers."

Son Jarocho
This dance form began in Veracuz, Mexico, and its music is distinguished by a blend of
African, Spanish, and native rhythms. Son Jarocho events
are known as fandangos. La Bamba, a song whose
popularity has spread well outside of Mexico, is a prime
example of the style of music that accompanies Son
Jarocho dancers.