Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City, the capital of the United Mexican States, has been the center of Mexico's political, cultural, and economic life since the Aztecs founded Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco in the fourteenth century. Rebuilt from the burned-out ruins of the Aztec capital, Mexico City served for three centuries as the center of power for the vice royalty of New Spain until the nation of Mexico gained its independence. Though the boundaries vary somewhat, Mexico City is equated with the Federal District, usually referred to by Mexicans as the "DF" (Distrito Federal), or simply "Mexico." The sprawling, rapidly growing metropolis is one of the most populous in the world. Mexico City has much to offer both residents and visitors, with its vibrant business climate, its historic and cultural attractions, and its scenic views. The city is also known for overcrowding, traffic problems, and air pollution.

Landscape

Mexico City lies in the Valley of Mexico, in the central Mexican plateau. Although this region falls within the tropical zone, its elevation of 2,240 meters (7,350 feet) above sea level makes for a climate that is cooler than lower areas in the same zone. The climate is moderate year round, with warm days followed by chilly or cold nights. The high altitude of the city requires that newcomers take time to become accustomed to the oxygen-thin air.

The valley was once filled with lakes, swamps, and rivers; as a result, devastating floods periodically occurred. The area has since been drained, leaving only vestiges of the ancient lakes.

As the city has grown, it has annexed numerous small towns, which have maintained their individual characteristics. The metropolitan area consists of sixteen mayoralties and some four hundred colonias, or neighborhoods, each with its own commercial center and service area. Some of the most notable include Tacubaya, Mixcoac, San Angel, Coyoacan, and Talalpan.

Historic Xochimilco lies at the southeastern edge of the city. To the north is Tlaltelolco, once an Indian city forced to submit to the Aztecs. Other northern locales include the Villa Gustavo A. Madero (formerly the Villa Guadalupe Hidalgo), Ciudad Satelite, and industrial zones, including Atzcapotzalco and Naucalpan.

The city lies along two main intersecting avenues, the Paseo de la Reforma and Avenida Insurgentes. The latter, at 34 kilometers (21 miles), is the longest avenue in the city. The streets often change names as they pass through the various colonias.

On a clear day, the nearby volcanoes of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl can be seen to the southeast. The active "Popo" is Mexico's second-highest volcano, rising to 5,452 meters (17,887 feet). Nearby is the snow-capped, inactive Iztaccihuatl, or "Izta," at 5,285 meters (17,340 feet), the third-highest volcano in the country.

People

One of the fastest-growing urban areas in the world, Mexico City boasts a metropolitan population of 22.281 million (2023), which is equivalent to about 17 percent of the estimated population of the entire country. As of 2024, the city was one of the top ten largest in the world. The major ethnic groups are indigenous Mexicans, mestizos (of mixed indigenous and European descent), and criollos (Mexicans of European descent). Most members of the upper and middle classes are criollos. Like the rest of Mexico, most residents of Mexico City are Roman Catholic. Some Protestant churches also exist, and there is also a sizeable Jewish community in the Colonia Polanco.

The food available in Mexico City reflects the city's increasingly cosmopolitan makeup. In addition to taco stands and family restaurants serving traditional Mexican food, diners can enjoy Argentine, Spanish, Italian, French, Arabic, Japanese, and Korean cuisine. Colorful dress, spicy food, and mariachi music are staples of Mexico City.

Bullfighting is the best-known typically Mexican entertainment. From November through March, matadors perform every Sunday in the Plaza México, the world's largest bullring, although the practice was halted for two years and as of 2024 was still facing legal challenges. Football (soccer) games, boxing, and wrestling also draw huge crowds. Symphony orchestras, colorful dance companies, museums, and art galleries are also found throughout the city.

The late twentieth-century artists and revolutionaries Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are Mexico City's most famous residents. Their stormy marriage, their artwork, and their political activities are well remembered. Their home and studio has been preserved as a museum, and their work is exhibited throughout the city.

Economy

Approximately one-fourth of Mexico's industry is based in Mexico City and the metropolitan region produces about 25 percent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP). Major industries include services, food and beverages, construction, chemicals, plastics, cement, motor vehicles, tourism, and textiles.

Given the city's huge size, it is not surprising that it accounts for more than 40 percent of the country's domestic sales. Most shopping by residents is done at huge suburban malls. The Merced food market is a sprawling place to shop.

Service industries are growing in importance, as tourism is a major component of the city's economy. In addition, Mexico City is the nation's financial hub, with numerous financial institutions, including the Bank of Mexico and the Mexican Stock Market.

The major airport is the Benito Juárez International Airport (also known as the Mexico City International Airport). The city is also served by the smaller Toluca Airport. Mexico City is connected to Guatemala and the United States by major highways.

Millions of private vehicles clog the streets of Mexico City. The government has tried to improve the situation by expanding the subway system and banning certain groups of cars (based on registration numbers) one day a week. Strict industrial regulations have also considerably improved the air quality in the metropolis.

Landmarks

The Centro Histórico, or Historic Center, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hub of this district is its main square, the Plaza de la Constitución, familiarly known as El Zócalo. This square covers the former ceremonial center of Tenochtitlan and contains buildings dating to the sixteenth century. The Casa de los Azulejos (House of Tiles) is a particularly beautiful example of seventeenth-century baroque architecture.

Another World Heritage Site in Mexico City is the floating gardens of Xochimilco. Flower gardens on reed boats, or chinampas, provide fresh blooms such as gardenias, hibiscus, and roses. This spot, away from the noise and smog of the city, is popular with both tourists and locals.

For tourists, the main shopping area is found in La Zona Rosa (the Pink Zone), home to many boutiques, art galleries, and stores selling leather goods, antiques, and jewelry.

The Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) is the home of the famed Ballet Folklorico de Mexico and the National Museum of Anthropology, which has artifacts from five thousand years of Mexican history. The Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Park) boasts forests and gardens, Chapultepec Castle, museums, a lake, an amusement park, and the official residence of the president of Mexico.

Other famous sights include the National Autonomous University of Mexico, whose walls are famously covered with murals, and the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the Villa Gustavo A. Madero.

History

The Aztecs were the last of the indigenous peoples to enter what would become known as the Valley of Mexico. They were called Mexica. In 1325, they founded the settlement of Tenochtitlan on the island of the same name. By the middle of the fifteenth century, the Mexica had built an empire with the stone city of Tenochtitlan as its capital.

But Mexica overlordship was cruel, and by the time the Spanish arrived in 1517, vassal tribes were ripe for rebellion. Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés easily found allies to help in his conquest. During the Spanish siege and final battle of Tenochtitlan in 1521, the city was destroyed by water, cannonballs, and fire. Cortés ordered the metropolis to be rebuilt, and the Spanish called it Mexico City, a reference to the Mexica.

For the next three hundred years, Mexico City was the capital of the vice royalty of New Spain, which extended as far north as San Francisco and east to what are now New Mexico and Texas.

When New Spain won its independence in 1821, the name “Mexico” was chosen for the new nation. To distinguish the city from the Mexica, they were renamed Aztecs, a reference to Aztlan, the mythical land they claimed as their place of origin.

In 1847, US troops captured Mexico City, ending the Mexican-American War and forcing the Gadsden Purchase. By this agreement, Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna ceded Mexico's northern territory, now the southwestern United States, for $15 million.

French troops installed Maximilian I in Mexico City as Emperor of Mexico in 1863. Four years later, forces under Benito Juárez recaptured the city and expelled the French.

During the revolution against Porfirio Díaz (1910–15), rebel leaders Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata occupied the city three separate times.

Mexico City has suffered numerous earthquakes. The worst was the Mexico City earthquake on September 19, 1985, which measured 8.1 on the Richter scale. An estimated ten thousand people were killed and fifty thousand injured. Damage amounted to $5 billion. Interestingly, while many newer buildings were destroyed, most of the colonial structures remained intact.

The city has since constructed new and more earthquake-safe buildings, including low-cost housing to replace the often-substandard dwellings that were destroyed. An early warning system, the Sistema de Alerta Sísmica (Seismic Alert System) has also been put in place.

On September 19, 2017, exactly thirty-two years after the 1985 earthquake, Mexico City was struck by the 7.1 magnitude Puebla-Morelos quake. The 2017 quake killed 369 people and damaged hundreds of buildings. The nonprofit organization Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity (MCCI) investigated why so many buildings collapsed. After a year-long investigation, MCCI found that the new building codes that were put in place after the 1985 quake were not being enforced by the Mexican government. A third September 19 quake shook the city in 2022; two people died as a result of the magnitude 7.6 quake.

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