History of Science and Technology in Mexico

This article covers the history of science and technology in Mexico. The Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico, established in 1551, was a hub of intellectual and religious development in Mexico for over a century. During the Mexican Enlightenment, Mexico made rapid progress in science, but when the Mexican War of Independence came along, there was no scientific progress in Mexico. During the end of the 19th century, the process of industrialization began in Mexico, and it made significant progress in science and technology in the 20th century. During the 20th century, new universities and research institutes, such as the National Autonomous University of Mexico, were established in Mexico.

According to the World Bank, Mexico is Latin America's largest exporter of high-technology goods (High-technology exports are manufactured goods that involve high R&D intensity, such as in aerospace, computers, pharmaceuticals, scientific instruments, and electrical machinery) with $40.7 billion dollars worth of high-technology goods exports in 2012. Mexican high-technology exports accounted for 17% of all manufactured goods in the country in 2012 according to the World Bank.