Mexico Facts

Hola! That’s “hello” in Spanish, the official language in Mexico. This country in North America is known for its ancient ruins and luxurious beach resorts. Learn more facts about Mexico here.

five Facts About Mexico

Here are five fun facts about Mexico:

  1. Mexico is the birthplace of chocolate. In fact, the history of chocolate in Mexico dates back over 5,000 years!
  2. Mexico is home to the world’s largest pyramid by volume, the Great Pyramid of Cholula.
  3. The Great Mexican Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world, can be found off the coast of Mexico.
  4. Mexico is home to many historical and natural wonders, including Chichén Itzá, Teotihuacan and the historic center of Mexico City.
  5. The Mexican government recognizes over 65 languages spoken in the nation, including Spanish. Other languages include Nahuatl and Yucatec Maya.

Where is Mexico?

Mexico is a country located in North America. It shares borders with the United States, the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, Guatemala and Belize.

Key Challenges in Mexico & Our Response

While Mexico has a rich culture and many archaeological wonders, it’s also home to many impoverished families. And children living in impoverished communities must overcome the challenges of poverty.

Lack of Child Protection

Children living in poverty are vulnerable to violence and exploitation, from forced child labor to gang violence. Mexico’s powerful drug cartels sometimes recruit children, and some young people see it as their only way to a better life. Unfortunately, they don’t anticipate the violence and danger they’ll face.

Our Response: Intervening to Protect Children From Harm

At Compassion, we take child protection seriously. That’s why we provide age-appropriate training to all the children we serve so they learn how to stand up for themselves and others. We train our staff and volunteers too, ensuring they know how and when to intervene when they see signs of abuse or violence.

Through the Compassion program, children also have access to educational and recreational activities to enjoy so they aren’t tempted to fill their time in unhealthy ways.

Economic & Educational Hardship

Recent data shows that over 55 million people in Mexico live in poverty. And many must live on less than $2.15 per day, which is far from enough for food, shelter and other critical needs.

Unfortunately, this also means that many children can’t access the tools they need to earn an income later in life. For example, children often can’t get an education as uniforms and other expenses are more than families can afford.

Without an education, children can’t obtain the skills they need to generate incomes as adults, leading to another generation of hardship.

A girl stands in front of cactus and smiles

A girl smiles and stands between two cacti.

Caption
Children pray before a meal

A group of children pray before a meal at their child development center.

Caption
Two friends sit at a table and read their Bible together

Two friends sit at a table and read their Bible together.

Caption
A girl stands in front of her city and smiles

A girl stands in front of her city and smiles.

Caption
Children celebrate with confetti

Children laugh and smile as they throw confetti into the air.

Caption
Three teenage girls dress in traditional Mexican outfits

Three teenage girls dress in traditional Mexican outfits.

Caption
Children playing soccer on a field

A group of girls play soccer together.

Caption
A girl sits in a hammock and smiles

A young girl sits on a hammock outside her home.

Caption
Two girls sit on a hill with mountains behind them

Two girls from a mountainous region sit next to each other on a green hillside.

Caption
Children stand singing and clapping in class

Children sing and learn songs together in class.

Caption

Our Impact in Mexico

Compassion has supported children and families throughout Mexico for decades. During that time, we’ve released thousands of children from poverty in Jesus’ name through our child sponsorship program and other initiatives.

67,625

children served (and counting).

222

churches serving.

48

years of serving.

Church Partners Find Creative Ways to Fight Poverty

Compassion works with local churches to empower children to leave poverty behind. See how these churches in Mexico and other countries are finding creative ways to help children learn and grow.

See Story
Children Receive Their First Medical Checkup

For parents in poverty, medical exams are often out of reach. But these little ones, including Denisse from Mexico, received their first medical checkup with the help of Compassion.

See Story

How You Can Help Vulnerable Children in Mexico

You can join Compassion’s fight against child poverty in Mexico in three key ways:

  • Pray: Jeremiah 33:3 tells us that if we call on God, he will answer us. When we lift children living in poverty up in prayer, God hears us, and we can trust he's working on their behalf. Join us in praying daily for children living in poverty by becoming a prayer partner.
  • Donate: Children living in poverty face many challenges, from a lack of medical care to dangerous living conditions. You can provide immediate support by donating to fulfill a right-now need.
  • Sponsor a Child: By sponsoring a child, you empower a local church to meet the critical needs of a child's body, mind and spirit as they journey out of poverty. Through sponsorship, you'll help deliver medical care, hygiene training, education, malnutrition monitoring and so much more to a child in need. But most importantly, you'll help introduce them to the hope of the gospel, which changes everything.
Sponsor a Child in Mexico