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Mexico City (Spanish: Ciudad de México, locally [sjuˈða(ð) ðe ˈmexiko] ⓘ; abbr.: CDMX; Central Nahuatl: Mexihco Hueyaltepetl, Nahuatl pronunciation: [meːˈʃiʔko wejaːlˈtepeːt͡ɬ]; Otomi: 'Monda) is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and the most populous city in North America.
- Overview
- Character of the city
Mexico City is the capital of Mexico and is synonymous with the country’s Federal District. The term Mexico City can also apply to the capital’s metropolitan area, which includes the Federal District but extends beyond it to the west, north, and east. It is called México in Nahuatl and Ciudad de México in Spanish.
Why was Mexico City chosen as the capital?
After Hernán Cortés defeated the Aztecs at their island-capital of Tenochtitlán in 1521, New Spain was created. The capital of New Spain, Mexico City, was built atop the razed island-capital and remained the capital after the country gained independence in 1821.
What is Mexico City’s significance?
Mexico City is one of the most important political, cultural, educational, and financial centres in North America. Mexico City’s leading position can be attributed to its origins in a rich and diverse environment, its long history as a densely populated area, and the central role that its rulers have defined throughout the ages.
Why is Mexico City sinking?
Mexico City is a metropolis of contrasts, a monument to a proud and industrious country also faced with many problems. Some observers have fixated on the city’s dangers, horrors, and tragedies—views that were reinforced by the Mexican novelist Carlos Fuentes when he called the city “the capital of underdevelopment.” In the late 20th century the writer Jonathan Kandell retorted, “To its detractors (and even to a few admirers), Mexico City is a nightmare, a monster out of control.…And it just keeps growing.” Others have acknowledged the capital’s drawbacks while holding that it is a true home to millions—a bustling mosaic of avenues, economic interests, and colonias (neighbourhoods) that are buttressed by extended family networks, reciprocity, and respect.
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39 of the Most Challenging World Capitals Across History
By itself the Federal District (the city proper) is comparable in many ways to New York City, Mumbai, and Shanghai. But the capital’s huge metropolitan population constitutes some one-fifth of Mexico’s total, representing one of the world’s most significant ratios of capital-to-national population. The country’s next largest city, Guadalajara, is only a fraction of its size. Moreover, its dense population has yielded an unparalleled concentration of power and wealth for its urban elite, though not for the denizens of its sprawling shantytowns and lower-working-class neighbourhoods.
The city’s rich heritage is palpable on the streets and in its parks, colonial-era churches, and museums. On the one hand it includes quiet neighbourhoods resembling slow-paced rural villages, while on the other it has bustling, overbuilt, cosmopolitan, heavy-traffic areas. Its inhabitants have sought to preserve the magnificence of the past, including the ruins of the main Aztec temple and the mixture of 19th-century French-style mansions and department stores that complement its graceful colonial palaces and churches.
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Discover Mexico City, a high-octane megalopolis with old-school charm, intriguing museums, inspired dining and boating along ancient canals. Explore its attractions, from the Palacio de Bellas Artes to the Templo Mayor, and get tips from local experts.
- Dive into Frida’s artistic world at Frida Kahlo Museum. One of the must things to do in Mexico City is to dive deep into the vibrant world of one of Mexico’s most iconic artists, Frida Kahlo, at her former residence turned museum.
- Behold artistic splendor at Palacio de Bellas Artes. Behold the majestic Palacio de Bellas Artes, an architectural gem that blends Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.
- Sail Xochimilco’s vivid canals. Xochimilco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its historic canal system and the traditional trajineras (colorful, flat-bottomed boats).
- Learn about ancient civilizations in Teotihuacan. Teotihuacan is one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico, so you need to add this to your list of things to do in Mexico City!
Mar 20, 2023 · Destinations. The 27 Best Things to Do in Mexico City. Everything to do in one of the very oldest cities in the Americas. By Scarlett Lindeman. March 20, 2023. Mexico City is changing...
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Nov 17, 2022 · 36 Hours. Mexico City. Jump to: Recommendations. Itinerary. Google Map . Share full article. 226. By Elisabeth Malkin Photographs by Adrian Wilson. Nov. 17, 2022. Few places conjure...
Oct 20, 2023 · Learn what to pack, where to eat, how to tip, and more from a local travel writer. Discover the best attractions, neighborhoods, and activities in Mexico City, the vibrant capital of Mexico.
