Why 82% of Mexico is Empty

Select video clips courtesy of Getty Images

Select video clips courtesy of the AP Archive

Special thanks to MapTiler / OpenStreetMap Contributors and GEOlayers 3

[HanaTheRussell]

"It's to hard to cut down rainforests to make farmland, it takes so much time and money and the yield isn't even good." God wow it's almost like a sign that we SHOULDN'T BE CUTTING DOWN THE RAINFOREST lol.

[lucalopez]

As a Mexican, this just made me realize that for most of the world, traveling between cities doesn't usually involve zigzagging around mountains and in some cases even going through them...

[coffeebeanB]

I was born and grew up in Mexico and the one thing i missed the most (and still do) is seeing mountains. I came from a very mountainous place in Michoacan were temperatures were cool, so when i moved to Illinois, it was a shock to my body, humid as hell and flat haha

[Invisible_Ghst]

I don't know how my kindergarten brain understood all of this. He makes it so simple, yet goes very thoroughly through the information. He even includes details from wars, times of crisis, and the past in general. I'm taught more here than in my school. . .

[dhv]

As a northern Mexican I can confirm, our cities are designed more similarly to American ones (large distances between living, industrial and commercial sections) and a big emphasis on car transportation. Compared to city planning in the center, that is more similar to European cities.

[FernandoGomez-hgrn]

Another funny fact: most cities in the US-Mexico border are densely populated because in the past (pre-1990s) it was very common for people to move to the border, work on the American side, then go back home at night. Crossings were very common and migration was small in comparison, as there was no need to migrate. My grandfather used to own a cotton field in Matamoros, and he recounted lots of stories about going to Brownsville for leisure or business (selling crops, buying seeds and tools and machines, etc).

[archerseo]

Everytime I visited Mexico I really found it to be beautiful and the people were very friendly. Here in the US I have also found lots of Mexican people are willing to help you when your car breaks down or need help. I just really love the people of Mexico and hope the relations between both countries can improve and we can become closer as nations. So both countries can prosper more!

[mmeggnn]

I spent holidays in Riviera Maya every year when I was a kid, I forgot the local town we’d go to from our resort but my time in Mexico was indescribable. Every local I met as a little girl treated me like family, got to know my family over a language barrier, and genuinely spread so much joy into my experiences. we made friends with workers (they knew me when i was 9mo old til i was 12), got to know their story and struggles, lended a helping hand where we could, but most importantly just shared time together. ill never forget the young women and men and their work ethic, and especially their perspectives on life and the world. if you go to mexico, please talk to the locals you meet and get to know them. thank them for caring for you while you spend time in their country, spread kindness, & i promise youll meet some of the most amazing people. there are still days when i think of those i met, and wish i could see them again now that im not a little girl! it makes me sad, but i hope one day to be able to go back and find them and give them a hug.

[jasonwoods]

My wife is from Yucatan. she had noted that her home of Merida was isolated from the rest of Mexico until the mid 20th century, when the first reliable roads were built to the center. The local Yucateco dialect is unique, since being developed in isolation. These is also a heavy French influence in cuisine and architecture, since Merida was more easily in contact with French culture. New Orleans was easier to reach than Mexico City.

[rainyseason]

In Mexico people tend to keep generational families together. I went to visit a friend there and she had three generations in her home. They take care of their own family members. They don't typically spread out and leave grandma in a nursing home.

[androidLA]

Traveled to Monterrey in northern MX for work years ago, and as a Mexican/American I was impressed of how modernized the city was. Very industrious city.

[leegalen]

All of this guy's videos should be used in high school. I learn more than I ever knew in 66 years and it makes the world make more sense.

[fooloco]

When I flew from Tijuana to Cancun; we flew along the northern/central portion of Mexico and as someone that likes to always look out the windows, I was blown away by how much of it was vast emptiness with no city lights or pretty much any signs of civilization. Every so often we would come along a noticeably-sized city or town, but one thing I found very interesting is we would be flying through dark parts with no sign of a big city or town for many miles and then you would see a small handful of lights just out there in the middle of nowhere. These small communities or homes are really living off the grid.

[freddyrodales]

As a mexican i love how you explained how our own geography has affected our development as a country! Great video!

[jesseflores]

Even though the mountains of Mexico have hindered its economic development, it protected many isolated communities from outside influence, which is why Mexico has so many beautiful cultures, languages and traditions.

[allthingstoi]

Watching your videos has definitely changed my perspective on so many things. Fascinating!

[peterzaldivar]

A newer highway was built between Durango and Mazatlan on the west coast. It took something like a decade to finish. From Durango, you’re surrounded by cacti, as you head into the mountains, there are nothing but pine trees, waterfalls, massively high bridges. Then, all of a sudden you’re driving through the jungle until you get to the beach. It’s about a 3 hour drive.

[Ese.vato]

As a Mexican who is a fan of this channel, I am happy Joseph is making another video solely about Mexico. Keep it up man!

[michaelanthonysr.]

This is a great clip. Very informative.
Covers so very interesting historical and environmental aspects.
Kudos for content!!

[PNWDOM]

I was born in Colorado Springs. No wonder I have such a connection with Mexico. Currently in CDMX loving life!