How is Mexico different to Australia?

Answer 1

First, the common traits. Mexico and Australia were at some point colonies of European powers. In the case of Mexico, it was a Spanish colony from 1521 until 1821. As for Australia, Britain established a penal colony there since the 18th century and kept Australia as an overseas colony until 1901 (or 1986, when the Australia Act severed the last ties between the Australian judiciary and the British one). Both countries have a rather large concentration of Natural Resources, but how are they exploited and by whom marks one of the greatest differences among both nations.

Now, on the differences. Mexico is a Latin American nation with a large Spanish-speaking, Roman Catholic population while Australia is an Anglo-speaking, Oceanian island-nation with a majority of English-speaking population and a more balanced mix of religions (Roman Catholic: 26% Protestant 19%). The ethnic make up of Mexico is predominantly of mestizo (60%) and Amerindian people (30%) while Australians are predominantly Europeans (92%) and on a lesser degree, of Asian (7%) or Aboriginal background (1%). Both Australia and Mexico are federations, but Mexico is a federal presidential republic of 31 independent states and one federal district while Australia is a parliamentary democracy with 6 states and 2 territories. Finally, Australia is a high-tech, developed country while Mexico is an emerging market.

Finally, some statistics:

• Population: Mexico 111,211,789 / Australia 21,262,641 (both July 2009 est.)
• Land area: Mexico 1,972,550 sq km (761,606 sq mi) / Australia 7,692,024 sq km (2,969,907 sq mi)
• Gross Domestic Product: Mexico USD$1,548 billion / Australia USD$920 billion.
• GDP Per Capita: Mexico USD$13,542 / Australia USD$38,500
• Median Age: Mexico 27.3 years / Canada 38.1 years