Doing Business in Mexico

Mexico is a nation located to the south of the U.S. and to the north of Belize and Guatemala. It is the most populous Spanish speaking country in the world and has a population of 110 million people. The official name for Mexico is the United Mexican States, (Spanish: Estados Unidos Mexicanos), there are 31 states that compromise the United Mexican States excluding the federal district. The capital of Mexico is Distrito Federal which is a federal district and not a state. Mexico’s population is compromised of three major ethnic groups, 60% being Mestizo, 30% Amerindian, 9% white, and 1% other. The official language is Spanish although there are several native languages that are spoken within small minorities, including Mayan and Nahualt, English is understood within the urban areas as well. There is no official language for Mexico however 90% of Mexicans are Roman Catholic, and 5% are protestant. (CIA – The world fact book).

When thinking of doing business in Mexico it is extremely important to understand that culture plays a huge role in their business world. Mexican culture is a mixture of different cultures that inhabited the land throughout the past. The culture blends the cultures of the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations along with the Spanish culture, which was brought on by the 300 year colonization of Mexico by Spain.

To understand the culture one must understand the different primary and secondary elements that compromise culture, such as language, religion, and communication (primary elements). Language and communication are two elements that can identify a culture and bring people together as one. In any case of doing international business one must take time to understand the language that is spoken within the country. In Mexico the most spoken language is Spanish however other languages are spoken within small minorities. People that do speak other languages that are native to the land would usually also speak Spanish alongside...