Mexico City
Mexico City ( Ciudad de Mexico in Spanish) is the capital city of Mexico. Mexico City is the economic, industrial and cultural center of Mexico. Mexico City is also the most populous city in Mexico with about 9 million inhabitants in 2009. Greater Mexico City (Zona Metropolitana del Valle de Mexico in Spanish) has 59 adjacent municipalities of Mexico State and 29 municipalities of the state of Hidalgo. Greater Mexico City has a population exceeding 20 million people which makes Mexico City the biggest city on earth. Mexico City also has the most inhabitants at an altitutude of over 2,200 meters in the world. What is sure is that when you visit Mexico City you will be stunned by the sheer size of the region. The landing on the Benito Juarez International Airport is interesting. After hours of flying over the empty deserts, you cross a ridge and although you are still at a reasonably high altitude the city underneath extends into the distance as far as the eye can see. For the next 15 minutes the end of the city remains out of sight, in fact, the end is never in sight. The enormously huge region is about 2000 square meters with approximate dimensions of 55 to 35 kilometers. Mexico City is located in the Valley of Mexico which is also called the Valley of Anahuac. Valley of Mexico is a large valley in the high plateaus at the center of Mexico at an altitude of about 2,240 meters (about 7000 feet). Mexico City was originally built by the Aztecs in 1325 on an island of Lake Texcoco and the Mexico City was officially established in 1524.
Mexico City is divided in to 16 districts. These districts are then divided into neighborhoods (colonia) which there are about 250 of them. Be careful about the similar or even same named neighborhoods. Like many large cities the structure of the city is decentralized with several parts of the city having their own downtown area. But still, the main downtown districts of Mexico City are Centro Historico and Zona Rosa.
Mexico City hosts a large number of foreign communities. The Cubans, Americans, Argentinians, Chinese, Lebanese and Koreans have their own ethnic districts in this cosmopolite city. The ethnical diversity is a cultural treasure for Mexico City which in turn causes Mexico City to be one of the most liberal cities in Latin America. Unless you wear distinctively ethnical clothes, you will not get a second look whatever your ethnical background is. Mexico City is also one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world.
Mexico City is regarded as an expensive city. On the other hand it is possible to find cheap alternatives for almost everything in Mexico City. Publis transportation is very cheap due to the fact that Mexico is an important producer of oil. A daily budget for a backpacker should not exceed 15-20 USD. On the other hand, you can find almost any kind of luxury in Mexico City. You can find several outlets that sell branded products and luxury hotels and restaurants.
Mexico City Attractions
Teotihuacan is located approximately 46 kms (31 miles) north east of the city center. Teotihuacan was a big empire that stretched its influence from Guatemala to Texas. The rise and fall of this great empire falls to 500 BC and 650 AD. The empire gained its peak power during the 1 st and 4th centuries AD and the population of the city was over 200,000 people. Teotihuacan Empire basically reflects the history of Mexico and Mexico City and thus is a must see within a vacation in Mexico City. There are 3 places that should be visited in the ancient city of Teotihuacan, the pyramid of the sun (Piramide del Sol), the pyramid of the moon (Piramide de la Luna) and the temple of Quetzalcoatl.
Zona Rosa is one of the most important shopping regions in Mexico City and even in Mexico. Zona Rosa is lined with commercial art galleries, fancy designer boutiques and specialty arts and crafts shops. Cobblestone streets of the Zona Rosa are filled with cafes, restaurants and lively bars. Zona Roa is also known as the Reforma district because it embraces the Reforma boulevard.
Alameda Park is the oldest park in Mexico City. Alameda Park was established by the 8th viceroy (Viceroy Luis de Velasco ) in 1592 as a public and recreational park. The area was surrounded by aspen trees, giving it its name. Long ago, the site of the Alameda was an Aztec marketplace.
The National Anthropological Museum is a 100,000 square foot museum houses artifacts from all over Mexico. Starting from the main patio are 12 exhibition halls devoted to Mexico's early civilizations like Aztecs, Mayans and Olmecs. The 30 ton Aztec stone calendar and the lifesize replicas of Monte Alban should be seen in the museum.
Azteca Stadium (Estadio Azteca) has hosted 2 Football World Cups in 1970 and 1986. The stadium has a eating capacity of 110,000. If you’re into soccer, be sure to check if there’s a game during your time in Mexico City.
Metropolitan Cathedral (Cathedral Metropolitana) is an impressive cathedral that started to be built in 1573 and was finally finished in 1788. The cathedral blends baroque, neoclassic and churrigueresque architecture of Mexico. As you look around the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Sagrario next to it, note how the building has sunk into the soft lake bottom underneath it. This huge cathedral has 5 naves and 14 chapels.
The Great Temple of the Aztecs (Museo del Templo Mayor) contains over 3 thousand pieces from this ancient site and from other sites in Mexico City. The masterpiece of the museum is an 8 ton disc shaped stone discovered at the Templo Mayor which depicts the moon goddess Coyolxauhqui. The ancient site was actuallt accidentally discovered while making a dig near the National Palace.
The National Palace (Palacio Nacional) was built on the site of an Aztec Palace in 1693 and took its current form with the addition of a 3rd floor in 1920. You can see magnificent Diego Rivera frescoes in this palace. Be sure to carry some sort of an identification card for entrance. The National Palace today hosts the Mexican Government.
Modern Arts Museum (Museo de Arte Moderno) contains an enormous collection of modern arts focusing mostly on the works of Mexican artists. Exhibits in the museum include Mexican painting, lithography, sculpture, and photography. Modern Arts Museum is located in the Chapultepec Park in Mexico City.
Zocalo Square is also known as the Plaza de la Constitucion and is located in the Centro Historico (Historical Center). The zocalo square is the heart of the Mexico City. This mostly crowded square is used for social events like ceremonies, protests, celebrations or festivals. The Zocalo square is the largest square in Latin America and the second largest after the Red Square in Moscow.
Chapultepec Park is one of the largest city parks in the world. Covering an area of about 840 hectars (2100 acres) of Mexico City, the Chapultepec Park has areas of forestry, zoo, gardens, lakes, museums, playgrounds, bridle paths and monuments. The La Feria de Chapultepec is an amusement park located in the Chapultepec Park. The La Feria de Chapultepec features the first roller coaster of Mexico. The amusement park also offers many attractions at very reasonable prices.
Angel de la Independencia (El Angel) is a monument with a winged symbol of victory on top of a 45 meters high column. El Angel is located on the crossroad between the Reforma Avenue and Florencia Street. This famous landmark of Mexico City was built between 1901 and 1910 to commemorate the independence of Mexico from Spain.