Clash of Cultures & the Discovery of Gold      123456

Mexico—A Land of Stark Contrasts

Mexico is a large and diverse nation of more than 100 million people. Its unique terrain stretches from the arid deserts of Baja California to the lush tropical forests of the Yucatan peninsula. The contrast between rich and poor in Mexico is as dramatic as the landscape. A land-owning elite holds a vast portion of the country's wealth, while over 40 percent of Mexicans live in poverty. Mexico does have a growing middle class, but it is small compared with that of the United States.

There are also vast inequalities between native Mexicans and the rest of the country. Mexican Indians usually stand at the lowest end of the economic scale, while the descendents of Spaniards are much better off.