Mexico and Puerto Rico are places where people speak Spanish as the official language, but do you know there is a difference between Mexicans and Puerto Ricans (Mexico vs Puerto Rico)?
These are territories colonized by Spain and they still share a mixed cultural heritage with the European country. Mexicans and Puerto Ricans have a kind of similar physical traits.
However, their culture, music, art, and the indigenous group who lived in these territories before the arrival of the Europeans differ.
Mexico is an independent state and has been so since 1821. On the other hand, Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States.
We will be discussing the differences between Mexico vs Puerto Rico. Comparison in size, population, music, arts, indigenous groups, and lots more.
Mexico- Officially the United Mexican States
The North American nation of Mexico is located in the southern portion of the continent. It’s a large country that borders the United States to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the south and west, and Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea to the southeast.
Mexico is a large country in North America, covering a total area of 1,972,550 square kilometres (761,610 square miles). By area, Mexico is the 13th largest country and the 10th most populous country in the world.
Currently, the population of Mexico is estimated to be around 130 million, making it the country with the most Spanish speakers. The capital city, Mexico City is also the most populous city in North America, with over 12 million residents.
Mexico comprises 31 states with its capital city Mexico City. It’s the third largest country in Latin America, behind Argentina and Brazil.
Although Mexico is still a developing country faced with several challenges, the country is one of the chief economic and political forces in all of Latin America.
Mexico boasts vast mineral resources, a dynamic industrial base, and a flourishing service sector.
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Puerto Rico- Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is an Island located in the northeast Caribbean Sea. It’s an unincorporated territory of the United States, about 1,600 km (1,000 miles) southeast of Florida, 65 km (40 miles) west of the U.S. Virgin Islands and 80 km (50 miles) east of the Dominican Republic.
Puerto Rico is a small territory compared to the size of Mexico. The country’s most populous city and capital is San Juan, with about 3.2 million residents.
Puerto Rico is a very small territory compared to the size of Mexico. According to Britannica.com, the county is one-fifth the size of the Dominican Republic, one-third the size of Haiti, and just smaller than the Caribbean Island of Jamaica.
It rests on a rectangular-shaped land, spanning up to 179 km (111 miles) from east to west and 63 km (39 miles) from the northernmost part to south.
Mexico vs Puerto Rico: Early History
Mexico
According to Wikipedia, the presence of humans in pre-Columbian Mexico dates back thousands of years before the arrival of the Europeans. The Mesoamerican region was home to many ancient civilizations like the Maya, Olmec, Teotihuacan, Purepecha, and Zapotec.
The Aztecs dominated and ruled the region before the first Europeans arrived in the region. In 1521, the Aztec Empire was conquered by the Spanish Empire, taking the capital city Tenochtitlan.
The Spanish established the colony of New Spain and ruled Mexico for the next three centuries. The Spanish enforced Christianity and a foreign language to people.
By the early 19th century the colonial order came to an end after the Mexican War of Independence.
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Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico was inhabited by indigenous groups thousands of years ago before the arrival of the Europeans. The indigenous groups who inhabited the territory were Taino, Saladoid, and Ortoirod.
In 1493, Christopher Columbus arrived in the area that was later colonized by Spain. The land was contested by other European nations but the Spanish were able to retain their hold of the territory and continued to do so for the next 400 years.
Due to the influx of slaves from the African continent and more settlers from the Canary Islands, the cultural and demographic landscape of the Caribbean Island changed.
By the late 1800s, a variety of Puerto Rican identities started to emerge. This was because of the intermingling of indigenous groups, Africans, and Europeans.
Mexico vs Puerto Rico: Cultural Regions
Mexico
In recent times, several cultural areas in Mexico have completely evolved because of differences in physical ethnicity. Traditionally, Mexico is split between the Spanish-mestizo north and the Indian-mestizo south.
According to Britannica.com, Mexico can also be divided into ten traditional cultural regions such as the North, Northwest, Northeast, Baja California peninsula, Gulf Coast, Central, West, Balsas, Southern Highlands, and Yucatan Peninsula.
The Spanish introduced mining and ranching to the Mexicans in the 16th and the 18th century.
Mexico vs Puerto Rico: Comparison Chart
| Mexico | Puerto Rico | |
| Status | Total area of 13,791 square kilometres (5,324 square miles). | It’s an unincorporated territory of the United States, about 1,600 km (1,000 miles) southeast of Florida, 65 km (40 miles) west of the U.S. Virgin Islands and 80 km (50 miles) east of the Dominican Republic. |
| Citizens | Mexicans | Puerto Ricans |
| Population | Almost 130 million | About 3.2 million |
| Size By Area | Total area of 1,972,550 square kilometre (761,610 square miles) | Total area of 13,791 square kilometres (5,324 square miles). |
| Part of | An independent state | An unincorporated territory of the United States |
| Capital city | Mexico City | San Juan |
| Currency | Mexican peso | U.S. dollar |
| Official language | Spanish With 68 indigenous languages. | Spanish and English |
| Location | North America | An unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeast Caribbean Sea, a thousand miles southeast of Miami. |
| Indigenous groups | Mayan, Aztec, and Olmec. | Tiano, Saladoid, and Ortoiroid. |
| Music Genre | Mariachi, Norteno, and Ranchera | Salsa, Reggeaton, and bomba |
| Celebrated Events/Holidays | Cinco de Mayo, Dia de los Muertos, and independence day | Three king’s day, discovery day, and constitution day. |
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Mexico vs Puerto Rico: Differences between Mexico and Puerto Rico
Here are more key differences between Mexico and Puerto Rico.
| Mexico | Puerto Rico | |
| Spanish language | Has a slower pace Spanish with consonants sounding more like “S” and “L”. | Leaves out the “S” and “R” |
| Geography and Political Status Individualities | The United Mexican States is its own self-governed nation found in the southern portion of North America, just south of the United States. | A United States territory located in the Caribbean Sea, about 1,600 km (1,000 miles) southeast of Florida, 65 km (40 miles) west of the U.S. Virgin Islands and 80 km (50 miles) east of the Dominican Republic. |
| Culture | Has a slower pace of Spanish with consonants sounding more like “S” and “L”. | Mexican culture shows the nation’s rich cultural heritage through the mingling of indigenous cultures and Spanish culture. |
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Conclusion
Mexico and Puerto Rico are territories colonized by Spain and they still share a mixed cultural heritage with the European country. Mexicans and Puerto Ricans have a kind of similar physical traits.
They both speak Spanish and are commonly referred to as Hispanic or Latino. Mexico and Puerto Rico were inhabited by the indigenous groups thousands of years ago before the arrival of the Europeans.
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References
- Diffzy: Difference Between Mexican and Puerto Rican
- Welikepr: Difference between Puerto Rico and Mexico: A Deep Dive into Two Vibrant Cultures
- Britannica: Mexican Ethnic groups
- Britannica: Puerto Rico
- Wikipedia: Puerto Rico
