A Country of 24 Million

The united states of "Amexica" share more than a border and a common heritage: both sides welcome the benefits of trade but struggle with the pressures of growth

THE BORDER IS EVERYWHERE

Mexicans are the predominant segment of Hispanics in the U.S. ...

Mexican 58% All other Hispanic 42%

...and Hispanics are the largest minority group in the U.S., transforming cities large and small.

Hispanics as a percentage of total population, by county

0% to 1% (951 counties) 1% to 10% (1,081) 11% to 25% (261) 26% to 50% (147) 51% to 75% (27) 76% to 100% (23)

Los Angeles 47% Rupert, Idaho 35% St. James, Minn. 24% Chicago 26% Dallas 36% New York City 27% Dalton, Ga. 40% Dodge City, Kans. 43%

SAN DIEGO/TIJUANA Combined population of more than 4 million. Busiest border crossing point

26% Combined pop. growth, 1990-2000

CALEXICO/MEXICALI Surging growth fuled by high concentration of factories, or maquiladoras, in Mexicali

73% Combined pop. growth, 1990-2000

DOUGLAS/AGUA PRIETA Towns along this part of the border are beset by tunnels, fences and the troubles of human smuggling

67% Combined pop. growth, 1990-2000

EL PASO/CIUDAD JUAREZ Combined population of about 2 million forms the largest border community

38% Combined pop. growth, 1990-2000

LAREDO/NUEVO LAREDO Busiest commercial crossing--more than 3 million trucks last year

43% Combined pop. growth, 1990-2000

MCALLEN/REYNOSA McAllen is the 4th fastest growing metro area in the U.S.

38% Combined pop. growth, 1990-2000

TIME/CNN POLL: EVOLVING PERCEPTIONS

The Canadian border separates the U.S. from 31 million people; the Mexican border divides us from 97 million--or 440 million if you count all the way to Chile. So which is more important--and which has more impact?

Which of these neighboring countries--Canada or Mexico--do you think is more important to the U.S.?

Canada 45% Mexico 35% Same 10%

For each of the following, which country--Canada or Mexico--do you think has more of an impact on the U.S.? Canada Mexico

U.S. politics 34% 50% U.S. economy 27% 64% U.S. culture 26% 65%

Do you think it should be easier or harder for people to cross the border into the U.S. from...

Canada? Mexico?

Easier 15% 15% Harder 21% 53% About right 58% 25%

Would you encourage your children to learn Spanish?

Yes 78% No 20%

About the poll: From a telephone poll of 1,031 adult Americans taken for TIME/CNN on May 23-24 by Harris Interactive. Sampling error plus or minus 3.1%. "Not sures" omitted.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; Instituto Nacional de Estadistica, Geografia e Informatica (Mexico)

To explore an interactive map of the border with video and audio clips, go to Keyword: New Frontier or AOL website www.aola.com/newfrontier