From the rise of the first civilizations of North America, continuing through the cataclysm of the Spanish conquest and the explosive revolution of Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa to the intensely contested presidential election of 2006, Mexico has had a vibrant and dynamic history. This book brings readers up to date on developments in Mexico, helping them understand the deeper significance of recent events. Since Felipe Calderon took office in 2006 amidst violent protests, his reforms have been aimed at drug cartels, poverty, restructuring the role of government in private businesses, and attempts to foster trade agreements with other nations. Despite the many obstacles it faces today, Mexico has become a democratic nation with checks and balances, free elections, and the ability to build a better future. Coverage of this title includes: Mexico's pre-Columbian civilizations as well as contemporary indigenous cultures; the challenge of revitalizing Mexico's people and resources in this new period of multiparty democracy; the environment; North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); the testing of the new democratic institutions by the close results of the 2006 presidential election and months of protest claiming electoral fraud; accusations of human rights abuses by Amnesty International and the United Nations at the end of Vicente Fox's presidency; and, the war on the drug cartels.