Mexico lies immediately south of the United States and to the
north of the smaller nations of Belize and Guatemala. Regions
include Baja California in the west, and the Gulf of Mexico and
the Bay of Campeche to the east. The central part of Mexico is a
great high plateau that is open to the north, but bounded
elsewhere by mountain chains and ocean fronted lowlands. At
least three historic civilizations predated the arrival of the
Spanish invaders, including the Mayas, Olmecs, and Toltecs. The
country was conquered by the invading Spanish under Hernando
Cortes in 1521. This heralded the suppression of the indigenous
population and the destruction of their wealth, culture, and
most of their heritage. The country won independence from Spain
in 1821. Geography31 Mexican States and one Federal District
extend across a land mass of approximately two million square
kilometers – which is approximately one fifth of the area of the
United States and makes Mexico’s land the eighth largest
national territory in the world