The Ordway new era., 1921-08-19
A Public Scribe in Mexico.

prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety. Washington. d. CO.
East or west an American must trav-
ell far to reach foreign country. But
let him take only a few steps to the
south and he will find himself more
effectually abroad than If he Travelled
to many parts of Europe. A land de-
void of Yankee hustle" except where
Yankees themselves display 1t; land
with its peasantry reminiscent of a
feudalism which the remainder of
North America escaped land where
the aborigines We're not dispossessed
but with their European cOnquerors
formed new race-such is Mexico.
1t Is a country of striking contrasts.
Though it Is exceedingly rich In natur-
al resources, large part of its popu-
lation lives in dire poverty. 1t had
a university before John Harvard was
born, yet the great mass of its peo-
pie are illIterate. Modern equipages
and machines are to be seen side by
side with the most primitive vehicles
and devices. And desert sands and
tropical jungles can be found almost
within stones throw of eternal snow.
The Mexico of today has an area Of
about 10000 square miles-approxi-
mately quarter that of the United
States. Roughly half of the long shore
line of the Gulf of Mexico is Mexican;
and It's Pacific coast is nearly thou
sand miles longer than that of the
United States exclusive Of Alaska.
Big In Some Ways. Small in Others.
OF the nineteen independent Latin
American countries, Mexico is exceed
ed in size by only two, Brazil and Ar
gentlna; and in population by only
Brazil. With Its population of 15,OOO,-
600, Mexico has twice the total popu-
lation of Argentina and three times
that country's density of population;
but measured by the value of Its COM
merce, Its revenue or the strength of
Its navy. Mexico is Of less Importance
among the countries of the world. 1t
to Brazil and Chile, the latter coun-
try less than half the size of Mexico
and with population of about quar-
ter. Even In the matter Of railroad
mileage per 1000 square miles of ter
ritory, Mexico, before Its revolutions
we'll ahead Of all other large Latin
American countries, Is now practically
equalled by Argentina and Chile.
But Mexico has wonderful potential
wealth, and with stable and con-
structive government and laws that
make the Investment of capital safe.
would have many advantages over
Its Latin-American competitors in the
race for development and rank among
the countries of the world.
Though Mexico has an area of great
extent, what may be called the real
Mexico is much smaller. Throughout
the history Of the country, both be-
querors and since, its culture and it's
center Of population have been on the
great central plateau which rises be-
tween the two oceans, and particu-
larly in the south central part of that
region. A section there occupying not
more than one-sixth Of the country
contains nearly two-thirds Of the to-
tai population. This portion. of which
the valley of Mexico and the city of
Mexico are near the center, has a
delightful climate. Blankets are used
at night tho year round, but seldom at
any time Of the year is an overcoat
needed at midday.
The northern portion of Mexico Is
largely occupied by deserts. The
southern section is tropical-a coun
try of steamy moisture and jungles.
Both coasts are hot and unpleasant
throughout large part of their ex-
tent. 1t is natural enough, therefore,
that the central plateau has played an
important part in the country's his.
tory.
But One Really Large City.
Mexico is essentially a rural coun-
try. Mexico City, the capital, with
its million inhabitants. is the only
city Of large size within the coun-
try's borders. Between the metropo-
lis and the next largest city, Guadala-
jara, is great gulf. for the latter
with its population Of 100000 is only
the size Of Nashville. Tenn, or Salt
Lake City. Monterey, the greatest
city Of northern Mexico. and third In