9781422286944

The States of Mexico

The capital of Sinaloa is Culiacán, an agricultural center. It has been continuously inhabited longer than nearly any other city in in Mexico. Archeological evidence indicates that people have been living there since A . D . 900, although the modern city was founded by the Spanish in 1531. Despite its long history, however, the city attracts few tourists. Today it is modern and urban. Sinaloa has been a center of the narco war, as the state is home to the powerful Sinaloa Cartel. This criminal organization is believed to make more than $20 billion a year from its drug trafficking operations. Although cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was arrested by Mexican authorities in early 2014, most experts feel the Sinaloa Cartel will continue to dominate the illegal drug trade in Mexico. Sonora If you were to travel north along the Gulf of California from Sinaloa, you would find yourself entering the state of Sonora. In terms of land area, Sonora is the second-largest state in Mexico, and its population is growing as well. Like Baja California

27

Mexico’s form of government is a presidential republic with a federal structure. The head of state is elected by a nationwide

Norte, Sonora is located on the U.S.-Mexican border, which means that it is attractive to American industries looking to set up factories inside Mexico’s borders. Big companies like Ford Motor Company, AT&T, Pepsico, Velcro USA, IBM, ITT Power Systems, and Sara Lee

vote for a six-year term. Legislative power is exercised by a congress composed of the senate and the chamber of deputies. Estados Unidos Mexicanos (the United Mexican States) includes 31 states and the Federal District, which contains the capital, Mexico City.