---
title: "Maquiladoras — AP Comp Gov Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Maquiladoras are export assembly plants along Mexico's US border. Learn how they drive internal migration and regional inequality on the AP Comp Gov exam."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-comp-gov/key-terms/maquiladoras"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Comparative Government"
---

# Maquiladoras — AP Comp Gov Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

Maquiladoras are factories located in Mexico near the US border where raw materials are imported duty-free, assembled or processed, and then exported back to the originating country.

## Related Study Guides

- [5.8 Causes and Effects of Demographic Change](/ap-comp-gov/unit-5/causes-effects-demographic-change/study-guide/4sfrnOCPVNtW1cf5fMcV)

## Review

### Related Terms

- Outsourcing: The practice of hiring external companies or individuals to perform specific tasks or produce goods instead of using internal resources.
- [Globalization](/ap-comp-gov/key-terms/globalization): The process by which businesses operate on an international scale, integrating markets, cultures, and societies worldwide.
- Supply Chain: The sequence of processes involved in producing and distributing a commodity, from obtaining raw materials to delivering the final product.