The green-white-red tricolor was officially established in 1821. Green is for independence, white for Roman Catholicism, and red for union. The emblem depicts the scene supposedly witnessed by the Aztecs in 1325: an eagle with a snake in its beak standing upon a cactus growing out of rocks in the water. The flag was modified on Sept. 17, 1968.

Mexico Official name: Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United Mexican States). Form of government: federal republic with two legislative houses (Senate [128]; Chamber of Deputies [500]). Head of state and government: President. Population (1998): 95,830,000. Population projection: (2000) 98,881,000; (2010) 112,891,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1995): 25.6 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$314,718,000,000 (U.S.$3,670 per capita). Land use (1994): forest 25.5%; pasture 39.0%; agriculture 13.0%; other 22.5%.

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