New ReviewDespite popular perception that Saudi Arabia is a desert, the country actually has three climatic zones. There is a harsh, arid desert across most of the country. There is an area of steppe along the western highland region. There is...

New ReviewLocated in the southwest of Asia, Saudi Arabia forms a geographic and cultural bridge between the three continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe. As the world's 47th-largest country, Saudi Arabia is comprised of five geographical regions....

New ReviewSaudi Arabia is a relatively young country, less than a century old. Learn about the political-religious alliance formed in the eighteenth century that provided the framework for Saudi expansion and remains the basis of its dynastic...

New ReviewEnabled by the demise of the Ottoman Empire, after the First World War, Abdulaziz al-Saud, known as Ibn Saud, waged a long and arduous war to unite the disparate nomadic tribes from across the Arabian Peninsula. In 1932, the Kingdom of...

New ReviewCrime is a serious concern to visitors and residents of Mexico—with good reason. The problem has become worse in recent years because of the alarming rise in unemployment and poverty. Police mismanagement and corruption have only...

New ReviewThe Mexican calendar is filled with special events and holidays, both national and religious. In fact, there isn’t a month all year when Mexicans don’t celebrate at least one holiday. Christmas is the most important holiday in Mexico....

New ReviewIn general, men in Mexico rule in matters of public affairs and women dominate in domestic and private matters. Like many things in Mexico, this dynamic is changing, especially in the cities and in middle-class families. More women are...

New ReviewLike the beautiful handwoven blankets made in Mexican villages, the Mexican people are a blend of Spanish and Indian characteristics. They are known for being friendly, generous, and loving. In the cities, it is common to see men and...

New ReviewWorldwide, more than 400 million people speak Spanish. A small minority of Mexicans—about seven million—speak one of fifty Indian languages that have survived. Learn more about the local uses of language, including the widespread use of...

New ReviewMexico’s population is growing at a considerably slower rate than in the past. The current growth rate is about 1.4 percent per year. Nonetheless, controlling growth, especially in the cities, is a government priority. Mexicans are more...

New ReviewWages are often very low in Mexico, and supporting a family is often difficult. For many, the only way to survive is by working six-day, forty-eight-hour weeks, sometimes at two jobs. Driving this industriousness is the belief that...

New ReviewThe unit of currency in Mexico is the peso, which is equivalent to 100 centavos. Notes are available in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 pesos, and coins are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 pesos. Coins worth...

New ReviewMexico’s law is based on the Napoleonic Code, which means that a person is presumed guilty until proven innocent. In most criminal cases, trial is by judge, not jury. Civil cases and those involving major felonies are tried in federal...

New ReviewUnder its constitution, adopted on February 5, 1917, Mexico is a federal democratic republic, but until the mid-1990s, a single party, the PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional), totally dominated state and federal elective offices....

New ReviewMexico’s climate ranges from temperate to tropical, depending on the altitude. Mexico City, high above sea level at the same latitude as Hawaii and Bombay, has moderate temperatures year-round. By contrast, Guadalajara, the next-largest...

New ReviewMexico can be divided into seven regions: Baja California, the North, the Pacific coast, the central coast, the central highlands, the South, and the Yucatán Peninsula. Except for Baja California, each of these regions is home to at...

New ReviewMexico is one of the most populous countries in the world. At four times the size of Spain, it’s one of the largest. Geographically, it’s also one of the most diverse countries. It includes nearly every geological formation found in the...

New ReviewIt’s vital to note that Mexicans value polite formality in business interactions. Learn more about the importance of using titles and polite greetings in Mexico. Wondering how to use titles appropriately when addressing colleagues? Brush...

New ReviewThe role of the Mexican government in business has changed dramatically. Learn how privatization and economic reforms have impacted local business practices. Explore how local contacts can assist with navigating the local cultural...

New ReviewMexico has a relatively small middle class of managers and educated workers, although there is an abundant supply of young and unskilled labor. Learn more about regional differences in Mexico and how these distinctions impact the...

New ReviewThe Mexican economy and business environment have gone through dramatic changes as the country has become more integrated into the global marketplace. Learn how this once highly protected economy has implemented far-reaching reforms that...

New ReviewWomen have advanced in the Mexican workplace over the past few decades, but they still face many professional obstacles. Advancing to senior management remains a challenge, as does receiving equivalent compensation to their male...

New ReviewMexican professionals tend to start their workday later but also stay in the office later. Learn more about the local cultural nuances of the workday, the typical times for lunch, and how and where Mexican businesspeople conduct...

New ReviewWondering about the best way to establish a new business contact and set up a meeting? Learn more about the importance of introductions, utilizing contacts, as well as local expectations for first meetings and attitudes toward...