Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete, was crowned Miss Universe on Monday evening in Las Vegas. (Reuters)

A 22-year-old woman from Mexico has been crowned Miss Universe after beating out 82 competitors at the Las Vegas pageant on Monday evening.

Jimena Navarrete of Guadalajara was first to answer an interview question and the last of 83 contestants standing in the headline-grabbing pageant on the Las Vegas Strip.

Her one-strap gown flowed behind her while she walked as she held it out like a cape. Earlier, she smiled in a violet bikini as she confidently strutted across the stage.

Asked by Olympic gold-medal figure skater Evan Lysacek how she felt about unsupervised internet use, she said the internet is important but parents need to be careful and watch over their kids.

"I do believe that internet is an indispensable, necessary tool for the present time," she said. "We must be sure to teach them the values that we learned as a family."

First runner-up was Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps, while second runner-up was Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell.

Navarrete is Mexico's second Miss Universe; Lupita Jones won the title in 1991. She replaces Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela.

Navarrete's win thwarted Miss Venezuela Marelisa Gibson from giving the South American country a third consecutive win. Neither Gibson nor Miss U.S.A. Rima Fakih made the top 15 finalists.

Navarrete won a package of prizes, including an undisclosed salary, a luxury New York apartment with living expenses, a one-year scholarship to the New York Film Academy with housing after her reign, plus jewelry, clothes and shoes fit for a beauty champion.

Campbell won the Miss Congeniality Universe award. Miss Thailand Fonthip Watcharatrakul won Miss Photogenic Universe and a second award for having the best national costume.