Mexico is a country located on the North America continent within in the Western Hemisphere. Geographically, Mexico borders the United States to the North, Central America to the South, the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean to the East, and the Pacific Ocean to the South and West. Mexico ranks fifteenth with land area of 9,984,670 sq km and eleventh in population with a total of 114,975, 406. (Central Intelligence Agency, 2007)
The cultural statistic of Mexico is composed from the ethnic and religious makeup. The ethnic population is Mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, white 9%, and other 1%. Taken in 2005 Language statistics reports that Spanish is only 92.7%, Spanish and indigenous languages are 5.7%, indigenous are only 0.8%, and unspecified is at only 0.8%. The 2000 census indicates that religion diversity within Mexico has Roman Catholic at 76.5%, Protestant at 5.2% (Pentecostal at 1.4%, other at 3.8%), Jehovah's Witnesses at 1.1%, other at 0.3%, unspecified at 13.8%, and none at 3.1%. (Central Intelligence Agency, 2007)
The government of Mexico is a federal republic. At the end of the 18th century, Spanish men and women did not like how Spain had taken control and how outside countries were imposing their liberal ideas. When a treaty to gain Mexico’s independence was passed, but failed to establish a monarchy, it was not until 1829 that a republic was formed. Mexico’s constitution bestows freedom of religion that allows anyone to proclaim their religious belief, be able to practice its ceremonies and acts of worship, and provides for separation of Church and State. Congress cannot prohibit or establish any religion and discriminate against any person on the basis of religion. Mexico’s constitution also prohibits education to support or give preference to a single religion. In public schools religious instruction is prohibited, private schools are open to have religious associations, and home schooling for religious reasons is “prohibited explicitly nor supported by the law.” ("U.S. department of," 2011)
Prayer in Mexico’s schools is not encouraged. The constitution instructs the Mexican education system to refrain from any religious privileges. Prayer along with other aspects of religious freedom and instruction is prohibited within the public schools.
Like Canada, Mexico has national, state, and municipal public holiday. They are nationwide but each state/city/region may have their own holidays to celebrate in addition to the national, state, and municipal holidays. Some holidays that are celebrated are New Years Day, Constitution Day, Birthday of Benito Juarez, Maundy Thursday, Semana Santa, Cinco de Mayo, Independence Day, Dia de la Raza, Dia de los Muertos, Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution of 1910, and Navidad. Maundy Thursday, Semana Santa, and Navidad are the only holidays with a religious affiliation.
Mexico’s Pledge of Allegiance does not offer any religious structure nor does it suggest any support to any religious denomination in the country. Translated into English the words that shape Mexico’s Pledge of Allegiance speaks of Mexico’s heroes and loyalty to freedom and justice.