Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-03-17
MEXICO ONE-FOURTH
AS LARGE IN SIZE As
THE UNITED STATES

! The following information concern
! ing Mexico was given out by the
National Geographic society in Wash
| ington:
II Is interesting to note that the area
| OF Mexico IL practically as great as
that of the United States between the
Mississippi river and the Atlantic
coast. the great lakes and the gulf Of
Mexico, varying i'm altitude from sea
level TO $4,000 feet. Its climate is af-
| fected by these elevations and by a
range OF eighteen degrees of latitude.
Twelve hundred miles is the distance
trayersed in passing south from Jua-
req, on the northern boundary, to the
capital, and 900 miles more TO the
southeastern boundary. The gulf of
| Mexico and Caribbean sea coast line
extends for LOO miles. while the Pa
cific ocean and gulf Of California touch
! 1000 miles of Mexican coast.
/ Prior TO 1886 Mexico. as a Spanish
colony, and the United States covered
approximately equal areas, but the
/ Texas secession and the results OF the
Mexican war added nearly 1000, 900
square miles to our territory, and the
extent Of Mexico now is less than one
/ fourth that OF continental United
States. Mexico has still territorial ex-
panse equal TO the aggregate of Aus
tria- Hungary. Germany, France, Great
Britain and Ireland. The total area of
the republic. 10000 square miles, is
less than that of Texas, California,
Montana. New Mexico and Arizona
combined.
The average density of population of
Mexico approximates twenty per
square mile, the most thickly populat-
ed portions outside of the federal dis
tricts being the states of Tlaxcala and
Mexico, the former being less than
Delaware in size and of about the
same density of population, and the
latter being nearly as large as New
Hampshire, but with more than twice
the number of inhabitants. The
federal district. modelled after the
District OF Columbia, but of eight
times greater area, Is surrounded by
the state Of Mexico, the large popula-
ton fthe capital, 100000 materially
aiding In bringing the average to more
than 1900 per square mile.
During nearly 800 years subsequent
to the conquest Of Cortes Spain domi-
mated Mexico. \ century ago a bold
effort for freedom was started, which
eventually resulted in the republic of
Of Mexico Of today. More than half of
the first century of Mexican indepen-
dence was abortive, one coterie after
another coming into temporary power
and a number of those acclaimed rul-
crs, after brief regimes, meeting igno-
minious death at the hands of the peo-
pie. they sought TO govern.
The form of government adopted by
Mexico follows in general that OF the
United states, having executive, judi
cial and legislative divisions. Each Of
the twenty-seveu states is represent
ed in two houses Of congress, compos-
ed OF senator's and deputies. Congress
holds two sessions each year for limit
ed periods. Each state has its
governor and Legislature and is sub
divided into districts or counties, over
each OF which "jefe poiitico" is
placed. the districts having subsidiary
municipalities, with magistrates. pre-
siding officials and councils The So
called autocratic feature of the gov
eminent may be largely due to the
fact that governors hold Office with
approval OF the president, that jefe
politicos have similar relations with
the governor and that the officers of
the municipalities are generally con
troIled by the jefe politicos.
OF the 100000 inhabitants two
hfths claim descent from ancient
tribes or families which are accepted
as the basis of Mexican history, two
fifths are of native and foreign blood,
the remainder being classed under the
common appelation of foreign"
The City of Mexico. 264 miles by rail
west Of Vera Cruz and 7,400 feet alti-
tude is reached by two rail routes,
climbing through the hot lands
through difficult mountain passes, one
OF which closely follows the trail taken
by Cortes i'm 1919, by General Winfield
Scott with American troops in 1847
and over which. fifteen years later, the
invading French troops passed. 1t is
the most populous city.