Most rivers short and run from mountain ranges to coast. Generally low rainfall in interior and north. Abundant rainfall along east coast, in south, and in Yucatan Peninsula. Annual rate of growth 1.96 percent. Knowledge of English is increasing rapidly, especially among business people, the middle class, returned emigrants, and the young.
Government distributes free textbooks and workbooks to all primary schools.
Official literacy rate in 1990 was 88 percent. Life expectancy in 1996 estimated at seventy-three years. Infant mortality is twenty-six per 1,000 live births. Leading causes of death infections, parasitic diseases, and respiratory and circulatory system failures. About 90 percent of population is Roman Catholic.