MEXICO 
161 
Owing to the location of the country partly 
in the Temperate and partially in the Torrid 
Zones, the climate is diversified, the varying 
altitudes tempering extreme heat, except, of 
course, along the low lands near both coasts. 
There are two seasons—the wet and the dry, 
the times for the rains being materially gov 
erned by the altitude and location, but gener 
ally corresponding respectively to our winter 
months. 
The present population is about 14,000,000 
although it was estimated to be 15,063,207 in 
1910. The greater number of these people 
are unlettered Indians, and mixed breeds. 
There are some negroes about the coastal 
regions. Most of the business of the country 
is in the hands of the foreigners, Americans 
predominating, with many English, Spanish, 
French and Germans. 
There are about 16,000 miles of railway in 
Mexico in actual operation, with 1000 more 
contemplated. The Mexican government 
owns 8612 miles of road, while the remainder 
is controlled by private interests. These