Final answer:
Mexico's fastest growing industrial centers are in the northern regions near the U.S. border, thanks to the establishment of maquiladoras. These include cities like Monterrey, which are benefiting from their strategic locations along major trade routes. While the core of Mexican industry remains Mexico City, the northern border areas are expanding rapidly due to international trade agreements like NAFTA.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mexico's Growing Industrial Centers
Mexico's fastest-growing industrial centres are primarily located in the northern sector of the country, particularly in regions close to the United States border. These areas have seen substantial growth due to the proliferation of maquiladoras, which are foreign-owned factories that import raw materials or components, utilize local cheap labour for manufacturing and then export the finished goods for profit. Centres like Monterrey have become key hubs due to their proximity to trade routes, such as the corridor developing between Monterrey and Dallas/Ft. Worth.
It's important to note that while the core of Mexican industry and population is located around Mexico City, the current growth trend is leaning heavily towards these northern industrial centres. The implementation of NAFTA dramatically escalated the growth and significance of maquiladoras, and as a result, the northern border regions have seen an uptick in their economic activities. As of 2010, industries in these areas are not just limited to simple assembly but have expanded into automotive manufacturing, steel production, and high-tech sectors including semiconductors, computers, and petrochemicals.
Nevertheless, the southernmost regions like Chiapas and the Yucatan Peninsula have benefited less from this industrial growth, with their economies still relying heavily on agriculture and tourism, including destinations like Cancún. This clear core-periphery relationship depicts a contrast within the country, demonstrating how industrial expansion is not uniformly distributed.