Spanish is the national language of Mexico. But Mexican Spanish differs from Castilian Spanish, the literary and official language of Spain, in two respects: in Mexico, the Castilian lisp has more or less disappeared, and numerous  indigenous words have been adopted.

Around 52 indigenous languages (e.g. Nahuatl, Mayan, Zapotec, Mixtec, Tzeltal, Otomí) are spoken by  about 7 million people in Mexico; 15% of these do not speak Spanish. In areas with a large indigenous population, some or all of the classes in certain state primary  schools are taught in the native language of the region.

Mexican  people are a mix of Europeans, mostly Spanish, and Indians. Someone of Indian and Spanish descent is called a mestizo. Most Mexicans are mestizos. The largest Indian groups  are the Nahuas in central Mexico, the Maya in the south, and the Mixtecs and the  Zapotecs in Oaxaca.