Mexico at a Glance

• Population: approx. 105 million


• Capital city: Mexico City, approx. 22 million inhabitants


• Language: Spanish (national language), aside over 80 Indian languages


• Religions: 87% Catholic, 7,5% Protestants, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses


• Form of government: Federal state (31 States, one federal district), Presidential System

Economy

Alexander von Humboldt's reports on his trip to Mexico back in 1803/4 (bicentenary of his arrival: 22 March 2003) heralded the start of Germany's fascination with Mexico, undiminished to this day. Traditionally Germany, too, has been held in high regard in Mexico.

In 2004, Germany was Mexico's fourth-largest trading partner. However, compared with the US, which accounts for approx. 75% of Mexico’s total foreign trade, Germany’s share remains relatively small (about 2%). Germany's principal exports to Mexico are finished products, the main ones being motor vehicles and other machinery. Germany's main imports from Mexico are finished products, automotive products again accounting for the bulk (vehicles, chassis, bodies, engines and engine components). Volkswagen’s New Beetle and Bora are manufactured exclusively in Mexico. Office machinery also makes up a large percentage of German imports from Mexico. There are over 800 companies with German-held shares domiciled in Mexico. Along with the nationals of other EU states, Germans constitute the third-largest group of foreign visitors to Mexico, after US Americans and Canadians.

Culture and Science

The Goethe Institute (GI) plays a prominent role in this area. Since its foundation in 1966, the Mexico City GI has offered intensive language courses but has also run contemporary arts programmes of high quality. Another smaller GI is situated in Guadalajara. There are also German-Mexican cultural centres in Monterrey and San Luis Potosí.

Since the opening in summer 2001 of a local German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) office, the number of Mexican graduates with DAAD scholarships studying for a master's or doctoral degree in Germany has risen to 60-70 a year. Added to this are cofinanced programmes as of 2002 to enable Mexican engineering students to study or undergo practical training for one year. In 2004, 95 students took part in these programmes and in 2005 the number will rise to about 120. The DAAD's more intensive marketing activities in Mexico have boosted interest in studying and doing research in Germany and stepped up contacts between German and Mexican institutes of higher education (75 registered partnerships). There are several publicly-sponsored German schools in Mexico - three in Mexico City and one each in Puebla, Guadalajara – some of which prepare students for the German higher education entrance qualification (Abitur). Together they have nearly 6,000 students. The German School in Mexico City (Campus Xochimilco) also offers vocational training in office management and business professions in line with the German dual training system.

Links

www.embamex.de (Official Representation of Mexico in Germany)
www.mexiko.diplo.de (German Embassy in Mexico)
www.camexa.com.mx (German-Mexican Chamber of Industry and Commerce)
www.goethe.de/mexiko (Goethe-Institute in Mexico City)