Mexico City is the capital city of Mexico. It is the most important economic, industrial and
cultural center in the country, and the most populous city with 8,720,916 inhabitants in
2006. Greater Mexico City incorporates 58 adjacent municipalities of Mexico State and 1
municipality of the state of Hidalgo, according to the most recent definition agreed upon
by the federal and state governments.
Mexico City is also the Federal District (Distrito Federal in Spanish, and hence the
abbreviation D.F. that officially follows the name of the city). The Federal District is
coextensive with Mexico City: both are governed by a single institution and are
constitutionally considered to be the same entity. This has not always been the case. The
Federal District, created in 1824, was integrated by several municipalities, one of which
was the municipality of Mexico City.
Mexico City was founded as Mexico-Tenochtitlan in March 18, 1325 by the Nahua Aztec or
Mexican tribe, which rapidly became the capital of a sophisticated growing empire.
Located on a small island on the middle of Lake Texcoco, the layout of the city forced the
Aztecs to build an artificial island and create a series of canals to allow the growth of the
metropolis. A number of causeways were also constructed from the shoreline to the
central island. These causeways are the foundation of the various calzadas which are
today principal avenues in Mexico City. In fact, although the lake was salty, dams built by
the Aztecs kept the city surrounded by clear water from the rivers that fed the lake. Two
double aqueducts provided the city with fresh water; this was intended mainly for cleaning
and washing. After centuries of pre-Colombian civilization, the Spanish conquistador
Hernán Cortés first arrived in the area in 1519. He did not succeed in conquering the city
until August 13, 1521, after a 79-day siege that destroyed most of the old Aztec city.
PLACE TO VISIT
Plaza de la Constitucion - commonly known as Zócalo in the Centro Historico
(Historic Downtown) is one of the largest squares in the world, surrounded by historic
buildings, including the City Hall and the Cathedral.
Basilica de Guadalupe - Catholicism's holiest place in the Americas, and the
destination of pilgrims from all over the world, especially during the yearly celebration on
the 12th of December. It is the shrine that guards the shroud of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Supposedly the second most visited basilica in the World.
Plaza Garibaldi-Mariachi - in Mexico City is surrounded by bars and restaurants
that cater to Mariachi Band enthusiasts. It is where bands come to do public auditions
outside, on weekend evenings, simply play for pleasure, or for whoever may pay them. A
visit to Mexico is not complete until you experience the fantastic Mariachi Bands.
Mexico City National Cemetery - The cemetery is the final resting place for
750 unknown American soldiers lost during the Mexican-American War between 1846
and 1848. Another 813 Americans are also interred here. Free.
Chapultepec Park and Zoo Paseo de la Reforma - Is a large park of 6
square Km. in the middle of the City host to many attractions, including the City Zoo and
several museums such as the Modern Art Museum, the Museum of Antropology, the
Children's Museum (Museo del Papalote), the Technology Museum, the Natural History
Museum and the National Museum also known as Castillo de Chapultepec, the former
residence of the Austrian Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg. Nearby Metro station:
"Auditorio"
Xochimilco - a vast system of waterways and flower gardens dating back to Aztec
times in the south of the city where tourists can enjoy a trip in the "trajineras" (vividly-
colored boats). Trajineras pass each other carrying Mariachi or marimba bands.
Xochimilco is the last remnant of how Mexico CIty looked like when the Spanish arrived to
Mexico City in 1521 and it was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1987.
National Museum of Anthropology Chapultepec - One of the best
museums worldwide over, built in late 1960’s and designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez,
do not miss its impressive fountain. It gathers the best collection of sculptures, jewels
and handcrafts from ancient Mexican cultures.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Most travelers arrive to Mexico City by air, to the Benito Juárez International
Airport, located in the eastern part of the city. There are frequent flights to and from most
larger cities in the world, as Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Santiago de Chile,
London, Paris, Madrid, Frankfurt, Toronto and Tokyo. Some of the international airlines
that operate regular flights to Mexico City include (as of April 2007): Aerolineas
Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air France, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines,
Avianca, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Copa, Cubana de Aviacion, Delta, Iberia,
Japan Airlines, KLM, LAN, Lloyd Aereo Boliviano (recently grounded), Lufthansa,
Mexicana, Northwest, TACA, Varig, Ocean Air, United Airlines and US Airways. The airport
has a plane spotting area. To reach it, take the subway and go to the Terminal Aerea
station.
By bus - Although most of foreign travelers will reach Mexico City by air, it is also
possible to arrive by Bus. Greyhound offers several connecting routes from the United
States and it is possible to buy one single ticket from many major cities in the U.S. to
Mexico. Traveling by bus in Mexico is comfortable compared to other countries, since
most of Mexicans used to travel by bus until the recent introduction of several low-cost
airlines.
By train - Passenger Train service ceased operating in Mexico some ten years ago,
only freight trains ride to and around Mexico City.
