The United Mexican States is a federal republic composed of 31 states and the capital, Mexico City, an autonomous entity on par with the states. According to the Constitution of 1917, the states of the federation are free and sovereign. Each state has its own congress and constitution.

States

The states of the Mexican Federation are autonomous and independent of each other. They are free to govern themselves according to their own laws. Each state has a constitution that cannot contradict the federal constitution, which covers issues of national competence.

The states cannot make alliances with other states or any independent nation without the consent of the whole federation, except those of defense and security arrangements necessary to keep the border states secure in the event of an invasion.

Municipalities

  • The states are internally divided into municipalities.
  • In total, there are 2448 municipalities in Mexico (not including the 16 boroughs of Mexico City).
  • The state with the highest number of municipalities is Oaxaca, with 570.
  • Baja California and Baja California Sur have the fewest municipalities, with only 5 municipalities each.

Mexico City

Mexico City has a special status within the federation, being a federal district. Until January 2016, Mexico City was officially called the Federal District. It is the seat of government of the Union and the capital of the United Mexican States.

Mexico City was separated from the State of Mexico, of which it was the capital, on November 18, 1824, to become the capital of the federation. As such, it did 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 (previously called regente, “regent” or jefe del departamento del Distrito Federal, “head of the department of the Federal District”).

The Federal District received more autonomy in 1997, and its citizens were able to directly elect their chief of government, the head of the boroughs (or delegaciones), and the representatives of the unicameral legislature called the Asamblea Legislativa, “Legislative Assembly”.

In 2016, the Mexican Congress approved a constitutional reform that eliminated the Federal District and established Mexico City as a fully autonomous entity on par with the states, but with financial advantages.

Unlike the states of the Union, Mexico City would receive funds for education and health, have its own constitution, replacing the previous “Statute of Autonomy,” and its boroughs became municipalities.

If the federal government moves to another city, Mexico City would be transformed into another state of the Union, called “State of the Valley of Mexico,” with new borders and area that the Congress of the Union would give it. Canada

Internal divisions of Mexico City

Until the ratification of Mexico City’s constitution, it is still divided for administrative purposes into 16 “delegaciones” or boroughs. These boroughs have gained significant autonomy and have had directly elected heads of government since 2000.

Download the list of all Mexican municipalities by states