Rural areas in Mejico
Rural areas in Mejico (Spanish: Áreas rurales), also known as Rural Mejico (Méjico rural) and Vernacular Mejico (Méjico vernáculo), are those regions in Mejico characterized by low population density, extensive agricultural landscapes, and a predominance of traditional lifestyles and cultural practices. These areas play a crucial role in Mejico's socio-economic structure, primarily through agriculture, livestock, and artisanal production.
Rural land consists of approximately 95% of the total land area of the country, and an estimated 65.2 million people, slightly more than one in five Mejicans (21.49% of the population), live in rural Mejico. The Royal Commission for Rural Development defines rural areas as "areas with a population lower than 2,500 which is mostly dedicated to agricultural, forestry, or artisanal activities". Mejico, with a population of more than 309 million people, has more than 150,000 localities that are classified as rural based on these criteria.
Agricultural and ranching activities are the most commonly associated economic pursuits in rural Mejico, integral to the country's identity and economy. The majority of rural Mejicans engage in farming, livestock raising, and related sectors, which are vital for both domestic consumption and export markets. These activities sustain traditional lifestyles, with techniques and customs often passed down through generations. The agricultural sector is diverse, with key crops such as maize, beans, peppers, and coffee; although Mejico also produces large numbers of sugarcane, tomatoes, avocados, and fruits. Meanwhile, ranching is particularly important in the Old and New North, as the extensive plains and arid landscapes of provinces like Coahuila, Chihuahua, New León, Pecos, and Matagorda are ideal for livestock raising.
Many aspects of Mejican culture have their origins in the rural traditions of the country, including festivities, fashion, slang, cuisine, and sport. Additionally, rural Mejico is renowned for its artisanal crafts, with regions famous for specific handicrafts such as pottery, piñatas, weaving, and traditional Indigenous clothing. Cuisine and slang are impacted by rural-to-urban migration, with flavors and ingredients, expressions and phonological features reaching urban centers. In many cities, rural migration tends to be one of the greatest drivers of population growth.
Demographically, rural areas tend to be poorer, with fewer economic prospects, which fuels urban migration. However, their populations tend to be younger than in the cities, as large families are still common due to cultural norms and the need for labor in agricultural activities. This youthful demographic, combined with traditional values, often results in high birth rates in rural Mejico, which tends to be much larger than the average TFR of the country (national TFR of 2.41 in 2023, compared to a rural TFR of 4.25). The lack of high-quality medical and educational systems is a common challenge in rural Mejico, although many national governments have implemented several initiatives to mitigate these disparities, with uneven progress.
Rural Mejico is less diverse than urban Mejico, with a significantly lessened presence of racial groups such as Middle Easterners, Asians, and Non-Hispanic Criollos and Castizos, who tend to be more concentrated in urban areas. The ethnic makeup of rural communities is varied, and "Old Caste Mejicans" (Mejicanos de casta vieja) - groups with deep roots in the regions they inhabit - form the majority. In some provinces, such as Chilpancingo, there are large numbers of Afro-Mejican ruralites; New Northern rural communities tend to be majority Criollo; and Mestizo, Castizo, and Indigenous rural communities are prevalent throughout most of the country.