Administrative divisions of Mexico and Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization: Difference between pages

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{{Politics of Mexico}}

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The '''[[United Mexican States]]''' are a [[federation]] made up by '''thirty-one free and sovereign states'''. These states conform one federated State or Union that has had exclusive jurisdiction of the '''[[Mexican Federal District|Federal District]]''' a territory that does not belong to a state in particular but to all, as well as the islands, atolls and reefs that do not belong to any state. The Federal District is coextensive with [[Mexico City]], capital of the federation and seat of government.

'''The Earth Organization''' is an independent, international [[non-profit]], [[non-partisan]], conservation and environmental organization, with new solutions, committed to the creative, responsible rehabilitation of planet Earth and the plant and animal kingdoms.

The Earth Organization was founded in 2003 by veteran [[South African]] conservationist [[Lawrence Anthony]].

==Origin of the federation==

[[Image:Mapa de México en 1847..jpg|thumb|Map of the Mexican federation in [[1847]]]]

The United Mexican states were born as an independent Union after the ratification of the [[1824 Constitution of Mexico|Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States]], on [[October 4]], [[1824]]. During the course of the year the several states what would form the federation had begun to write and ratify their own constitutions. [[Central America]] which had been part of the ephemeral [[First Mexican Empire|Mexican Empire]], decided not to join the Union and to become an independent state made up by the territory that once had formed the [[Captaincy General of Guatemala]]. In the Central American region of [[Chiapas]] a unionist movement requested a referendum to let their citizens choose whether to remain as part of Mexico or to join the Central American newly formed federation. The majority of the population voted for the Union, and Chiapas seceded from Central America and joined the federation in [[1824]]. Thus, the founding states were 19: [[Chiapas]], [[Chihuahua]], [[Coahuila y Texas]], [[Durango]], [[Guanajuato|Guanaxuato]], [[State of Mexico|México]], [[Nuevo León]], [[Oaxaca]], [[Puebla|Puebla de los Ángeles]], [[Querétaro]], [[San Luis Potosí]], [[Sonora y Sinaloa]] (also called ''Estado de Occidente'', "Western State"), [[Tabasco]], [[Tamaulipas]], [[Veracruz]], [[Jalisco|Xalisco]], [[Yucatán]] and [[Zacatecas]]. Three federal territories were formed: [[California|Higher California]], [[Lower California]], [[Colima]], and [[New Mexico|Santa Fe of New Mexico]]. Later that year the Federal District was created. Tlaxcala (after a long debate at the Congress) became a federal territory on [[November 24]], [[1824]].

The Earth Organization works in association with corporations and other environmental groups around the world in projects of mutual interest.

The federation was dissolved on two separate occasions during the [[19th century]] and a [[unitary state|centralist]] type of government was established. The first period spanned from [[1835]] to [[1846]] starting with the ratification of the [[Siete Leyes]] (Seven Laws), the foundational and constitutional framework that created the "First Central Republic" and after a brief dictatorial period, the ratification of the [[Bases Orgánicas de la República]] confirmed this form of internal organization and created the "Second Central Republic". During this period [[Texas]], Nuevo León, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas y Yucatán declared their independence from Mexico if federalism was not fully restored. Texas became an independent republic in [[1836]] and never joined Mexico again. Yucatan became an independent republic for 2 years and rejoined the Union when [[Antonio López de Santa Anna]] allowed the state to retains its political and fiscal autonomy (a constitution and custom laws) which differentiated the state from the rest of the states which had been transformed into "departaments". It became independent again when these privileges were abolished, but rejoined the Union after the [[Mexican-American War]].

==Purpose==

Federalism was restored in [[1846]], and in [[1857]] a new federal constitution was ratified. In [[1864]], the federation was dissolved for a second time and a constitutional and centralist monarchy was established, headed by Emperor [[Maximilian of Habsburg]]. Maximilian was deposed in [[1867]] by the republican forces, and the federation was finally restored.

The stated purpose of The Earth Organization is:

#''To create a fundamental change in mankind’s awareness of, and relationship to, his environment and the plant and animal kingdoms, by example and education, thereby reversing the downward spiral of life on Earth.''

==The federation==

#''To bridge the gap between mankind, industry, commerce and the environment through applicable environmentalism, workable tools, accurate data and a business and scientific approach to the field of the environment.''

===The states===

#''To raise ethical standards within the conservation movement.''

The states of the Mexican federation are free, sovereign, autonomous and independent from each other. They have the right to create their own constitution. However, they cannot make an alliance with any other state of the Union nor with any independent state except those agreements between the states located at the international borders if there is an unexpected invasion from a foreign nation.

The Earth Organization has a strong scientific orientation and a reputation for bold conservation initiatives, including the rescue of the [[Baghdad zoo]] during the coalition [[invasion of Iraq]] in April 2003, negotiations with the infamous Ugandan [[Lords Resistance Army]], to protect game rangers and raise awareness of endangered species, including the [[Northern White Rhinoceros]], and work with remote rural African communities to rebuild cultural and traditional ties to nature.

The political organization of each state is based on a separation of powers in a [[congressional system]]: the [[legislative power]] is represented by a unicameral congress, the [[executive power]] is independent from the legislative and is headed by a "governor" and its [[cabinet]], the [[judicial power]] is exercised by a Court of Justice.

Through the activities of its scientific advisory board, The Earth Organization forwards and supports environmental education, targeting different age and culture groups, with the intention of firmly entrenching environmental education as a part of the syllabus of educational institutions.

Every state is represented by three senators in the Senate: two are elected through [[universal suffrage]] by [[plurality]]; the third one is assigned to the "first minority" party. The federation conforms a single constituency from which 32 senators are elected by [[proportional representation]] with open party lists. Deputies, on the contrary, do not represent the states, but the citizens. The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate form the Congress of the Union.

The Earth Organization is registered as an independent non-profit organization in South Africa, with branches in the USA, France, Canada, Hungary and Slovakia.

<!-- Tabla de los estados -->

<div align=center>

{| class="toc" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2 width=600px style="float:center; margin: 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em 1em; padding: 0.5e text-align:left;clear:all; margin-left:3px; font-size:90%"

|colspan=5 style="background:#black; color:white;" align=center bgcolor="black"|'''The United Mexican States'''

|-

|colspan=5 align=center|[[Image:States of Mexico.svg|center|450px]]

|-

| style="background:#e9e9e9;" align=center | '''State'''

| style="background:#e9e9e9;" align=center | '''Capital'''

| style="background:#e9e9e9;" align=center | '''Admission'''<br> '''to Union'''

| style="background:#e9e9e9;" align=center | '''Population (2005)'''

| style="background:#e9e9e9;" align=center | '''Area (km²)'''

|-

|1. [[Aguascalientes]]

| [[Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes|Aguascalientes]]

| align="center"|[[1835]]

| align="right" | 1 051 000

| align="right" | 5 625

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|2. [[Baja California]]

| [[Mexicali]]

| align="center"| [[1952]]

| align="right" | 2 842 000

| align="right" | 71 546

|-

|3. [[Baja California Sur]]

| [[La Paz, Baja California Sur|La Paz]]

| align="center" | [[1974]]

| align="right" | 517 000

| align="right" | 73 943

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|4. [[Campeche]]

| [[Campeche, Campeche|Campeche]]

| align="center" |[[1858]]

| align="right" | 751 000

| align="right" | 57 727

|-

|5. [[Chiapas]]

| [[Tuxtla Gutiérrez]]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 4 256 000

| align="right" | 73 681

==External links==

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

*[http://www.earthorganization.org Official Website]

|6. [[Chihuahua]]

*[http://www.earthorganization.org/WhoWeAre.aspx?CatID=1 The Earth Organization Scientific Advisory Board]

| [[Chihuahua, Chihuahua|Chihuahua]]

*[http://www.lawrenceanthony.co.za Founder of The Earth Organization]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 3 238 000

| align="right" | 247 487

|-

|7. [[Coahuila|Coahuila de Zaragoza]]

| [[Saltillo]]

| align="center" | [[1824]] <small>¹</small>

| align="right" | 2 475 000

| align="right" | 151 445

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|8. [[Colima]]

| [[Colima, Colima|Colima]]

| align="center" | [[1857]]

| align="right" | 562 000

| align="right" | 5 627

|-

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|9. [[Durango]]

| [[Durango, Durango|Durango]]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 1 489 000

| align="right" | 123 367

|-

|10. [[Guanajuato]]

| [[Guanajuato, Guanajuato|Guanajuato]]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 4 893 000

| align="right" | 30 621

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|11. [[Guerrero]]

| [[Chilpancingo|Chilpancingo de los Bravo]]

| align="center" | [[1858]]

| align="right" | 3 116 000

| align="right" | 63 618

|-

|12. [[Hidalgo]]

| [[Pachuca|Pachuca de Soto]]

| align="center" | [[1869]]

| align="right" | 2 334 000

| align="right" | 20 856

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|13. [[Jalisco]]

| [[Guadalajara]]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 6 652 000

| align="right" | 78 630

|-

|14. [[State of Mexico|México]]

| [[Toluca|Toluca de Lerdo]]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 14 161 000

| align="right" | 22 333

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|15. [[Michoacán|Michoacán de Ocampo]]

| [[Morelia]]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 3 988 000

| align="right" | 58 667

|-

|16. [[Morelos]]

| [[Cuernavaca]]

| align="center" | [[1869]]

| align="right" | 1 605 000

| align="right" | 4 892

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|17. [[Nayarit]]

| [[Tepic]]

| align="center" | [[1917]]

| align="right" | 943 000

| align="right" | 27 862

|-

|18. [[Nuevo León]]

| [[Monterrey]]

| align="center" | [[1824]] <small>²</small>

| align="right" | 4 164 000

| align="right" | 64 203

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|19. [[Oaxaca]]

| [[Oaxaca, Oaxaca|Oaxaca de Juárez]]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 3 522 000

| align="right" | 93 343

|-

|20. [[Puebla]]

| [[Puebla, Puebla|Puebla de Zaragoza]]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 5 391 000

| align="right" | 34 251

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|21. [[Querétaro|Querétaro Arteaga]]

| [[Querétaro, Querétaro|Santiago de Querétaro]]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 1 593 000

| align="right" | 11 658

|-

|22. [[Quintana Roo]]

| [[Chetumal]]

| align="center" | [[1974]]

| align="right" | 1 134 000

| align="right" | 42 535

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|23. [[San Luis Potosí]]

| [[San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí|San Luis Potosí]]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 2 412 000

| align="right" | 61 165

|-

|24. [[Sinaloa]]

| [[Culiacán]]

| align="center" | [[1831]] <small>³</small>

| align="right" | 2 610 000

| align="right" | 57 331

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|25. [[Sonora]]

| [[Hermosillo]]

| align="center" | [[1831]] <small>³</small>

| align="right" | 2 384 000

| align="right" | 179 516

|-

|26. [[Tabasco]]

| [[Villahermosa]]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 2 013 000

| align="right" | 24 747

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|27. [[Tamaulipas]]

| [[Ciudad Victoria]]

| align="center" | [[1824]] <small>²</small>

| align="right" | 3 020 000

| align="right" | 80 148

|-

|28. [[Tlaxcala]]

| [[Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala|Tlaxcala de Xicoténcatl]]

| align="center" | [[1857]]

| align="right" | 1 061 000

| align="right" | 3 997

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

|29. [[Veracruz]]

| [[Xalapa]]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 7 081 000

| align="right" | 71 856

|-

|30. [[Yucatán]]

| [[Mérida, Yucatán|Mérida]]

| align="center" | [[1824]] <small>⁴</small>

| align="right" | 1 803 000

| align="right" | 39 671

|-

|31. [[Zacatecas]]

| [[Zacatecas, Zacatecas|Zacatecas]]

| align="center" | [[1824]]

| align="right" | 1 357 000

| align="right" | 75 416

|}

</div>

<br>

<small>¹Joined the federation under the name of Coahuila and Texas. In [[1833]] the district of Bexar seceded constitutionally from the state to form the separate state of [[Texas]] which became an independent republic in [[1836]], and the name of the state was shortened to Coahuila. Briefly, in [[1856]] Nuevo León annexed Coahuila in a referendum and declared its independence from Mexico. After the defeat of the separatist forces, Coahuila separated from Nuevo León.</small>

<small><br><br>²Nuevo León, Tamaulipas and Coahuila declared their independence form Mexico and form a ''de facto'' independent country for 250 days, after which the separatist forces were defeated and they rejoined the federation. </small>

<small><br><br>³In [[1824]] this state joined the Union as the state of Sonora and Sinaloa, though its own constitution chose the name "[[Estado de Occidente]]". In [[1830]] the state was divided in two to form the separate states of Sonora and Sinaloa, which, after ratifying their own constitutions joined the federation in [[1831]]. </small>

<small><br><br>⁴The [[Captaincy General of Yucatán]] joined the Mexican Empire and then the federation in [[1824]]. It became an independent republic in two occasions ([[1841]]-[[1843]] and [[1846]]-[[1848]]). This state comprised the territories of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatán. </small>

[[category:animal charities]]

====Internal divisions of the states====

[[category:Environmental organizations based in South Africa]]

The states are divided into [[municipalities of Mexico|municipalites]]. Each municipality is administratively autonomous; citizens elect a "municipal president" who heads an ''ayuntamiento'' or municipal council, responsible of providing all the public services for their constituents. This concept, which originated after the [[Mexican Revolution]] is known as a ''municipio libre'' ("free municipality"). The municipal president cannot be reelected for the next immediate term. The municipal council consists of a ''cabildo'' (chairman) and several ''síndicos'' (trustees). If the municipality covers a large area and contains more than one city, one city is selected as a ''cabecera municipal'' (head city, seat of the municipality's government) while the rest elect representatives of a ''presidencia auxiliar'' (auxiliary presidency). There are 2,438 municipalities in Mexico; the state with the greatest number of municipalities is [[Oaxaca]] (with 570 municipalities) and the state with the least number is [[Baja California]] (with only 5).

===The Federal District===

Mexico City has a special status within the federation. According to a recent change in the constitution, the article 44 states that Mexico City is the Federal District, seat of the government (powers of the Union) and capital of the United Mexican States. The city is coextensive with the Federal District territorially and administratively. If the federal government moves to another city, the Federal District would be transformed into another state of the Union, called "State of the Valley of Mexico" with the new limits and area that the Congress of the Union gives it.

Mexico City was separated form the State of Mexico, of which it was the capital, in [[1824]] to become the capital of the federation. As such, it does not belong to any state in particular but to all (i.e. to the federation). Therefore, it was the [[president of Mexico]], in representation of the federation, who designated its [[Head of Government of the Federal District|head of government]] (previously called ''regente'', "regent" or ''jefe del departamento del Distrito Federal'', "head of the department of the Federal District"). However, the Federal District received full autonomy in [[1997]] and its citizens now elect directly their chief of government, the head of the boroughs (or ''delegaciones'') and the representatives of the unicameral legislature called the ''Asamblea Legislativa'', "Legislative Assembly". It does not have a constitution but a statute of autonomy. Nonetheless it enjoys many privileges as the capital of the federation.

The Federal District is represented at the Congress of the Union like any state by two senators elected by plurality and one assigned to the first minority.

With 8,5 million inhabitants Mexico City is the most populated city in Mexico and, being coextensive with the Federal District, is the second most populated political division (or ''entidad federativa'', "federal entity") in the country. The metropolitan area of the city, however, extends over 40 municipalities of the state of Mexico and 1 of the state of Hidalgo, and with a population of 19,2, it is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world.

====Internal divisions of the Federal District====

For administrative purposes, the Federal District is divided into 16 ''delegaciones'' or boroughs. While not fully equivalent to a municipality (nor the concept of a ''municipio libre''), the 16 boroughs have gained significant autonomy and since [[2000]] the heads of government of the boroughs are elected directly by plurality (they were previously appointed by the head of government of the Federal District). Given that Mexico City is organized entirely as a Federal District most of the city services are provided by the Government of the Federal District and not by the boroughs themselves, while in the constituent states these services would be provided by the municipalities. It should be noted that while other cities within the constituent states of the federation exercise their autonomy through the municipal council, some, like [[Querétaro, Querétaro|Querétaro]], have further subdivided the municipality into ''delegaciones'' or boroughs for administrative purposes as well.

==Self-determination of the indigenous peoples==

The second article of the constitution recognizes the pluricultural composition of the nation founded upon the [[indigenous peoples of Mexico|indigenous peoples]] to whom the government grants the right of self-(free)determination and autonomy. According to this article the indigenous peoples are granted

* the right to decide the internal forms of social, economic, politic and cultural organization;

* the right to apply their own normative systems of regulation as long as human rights and rights of the women (gender equality) are granted;

* the right to preserve and enrich their languages and culture;

* the right to elect representatives before the municipal council in which their territories are located;

amongst other rights.

The nation commits to and demands the constituent states and municipalities to promote the economic and social development of the indigenous communities as well as an intercultural and bilingual education. According to the Law of Linguistic Rights, the nation recognizes 62 indigenous languages as "[[languages of Mexico|national languages]]" with the same validity as Spanish in the territories in which they are spoken and the indigenous peoples are entitled to request public services in their languages.

==See also==

*[[List of Mexican state governors]]

*[[List of Mexican states by HDI]]

*[[List of Mexican states by area]]

*[[List of Mexican states by population]]

*[[Ranked list of Mexican states]]

*[[List of Latin American subnational entities by HDI]]

==References==

* Political Constitution of the United Mexican States; articles 2, and 42 through 48

* Law of Linguistic Rights or "Ley de los Derechos Linguísticos" approved in [[2001]].

[[Category:States of Mexico| ]]

[[ca:Organització territorial de Mèxic]]

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[[fr:États d[[Media:Example.ogg]][[Media:Example.ogg]][http://www.example.com link title][[Link title]]''Italic text'''''Bold text'''u Mexique]]

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