Mexico City Map and Detailed Overview

Mexico City (in Spanish, Ciudad de México or simply CDMX) is the largest city and capital of Mexico and one of the most influential urban areas of the world. It lies in Highway Mexico, a high altitude plain that is made up of mountains and volcanoes, at approximately 2,240 meters (7,350 feet) above sea level. This elevated altitude provides the city with a climate other than the majority of cities in a similar latitude in the tropics, therefore, having mild temperatures throughout the year.

Within most aspects of life, the city is at the centre of political, cultural and economic influence in Mexico; the federal government, major universities, and multinational businesses are all based in the city, as is the creative scene. It is a city of opposites: anarchic and (surprisingly) organised, ancient and modern, firmly conventionally oriented but dynamically engaged in ever-unfolding changes. To both the visitor and inhabitants, Mexico City presents a chronicle of life regarding the history, present and future of Mexico.

History

The history of Mexico City dates back a long way before the European advent of people. In 1325, Tenochtitlan was founded by the Mexica people, who came to be known as the Aztecs, on an island in Lake Texcoco. As the legend would have it, their god Huitzilopochtli directed them to establish where they spotted an eagle on a prickly pear cactus that was eating a serpent. This vision would be the symbol of the city, and this would be the major picture on the national flag of Mexico for centuries after.

Tenochtitlan was a dazzling city planning and engineering. An extensive system of canals and causeways was constructed by the Aztecs to link the island city with the mainland. They constructed chinampas, which are rectangular plots of fertile soil formed in the shallow lake, in order to cultivate maize, beans, squash and chilli pepper. The ceremonial centre of the city was split by the Templo Mayor: a huge pyramid devoted to Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and Tlaloc or the rain god. In the early 16th century, Tenochtitlan was estimated to be between 100,000 and 200,000, one of the largest cities in the entire world at that time.

Further, Mexico City held administrative, religious, and economic control of the vast American territories controlled by Spain during the colonial phase (1521-1821). The Plaza Mayor or Zocalo was formed as the ceremonial centre of the city he bordered by the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace. Silver mines and Asian trade by the Manila Galleons made the city wealthy, used to build magnificent churches, palaces, and civic architecture. It was also made a seat of learning, and in 1551, the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico was founded.

The Mexican revolution of 1910-1920 redesigned the politics, and Mexico City felt the centre of revolutionary intellect and arts. Murals by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros festooned buildings in the public sphere, telling the saga of Mexico and its trials and dreams. Industrialisation and rural to urban migration were very high, and this also led to an increase in population and extended the City boundaries in the first half of the 20th century.

In 1968, Mexico City hosted the host to Olympics, which became the first in Latin America to present an international profile. However, only weeks before the Games, the Tlatelolco Massacre occurred, in which government troops shot into the crowds of student protesters. The disastrous earthquake of 1985 killed thousands and ruined large parts of the city, which led to large-scale reconstruction and civic movement.

In 2016, the Federal District was officially renamed Ciudad de Mexico and was granted more autonomy as it continued to provide the country with the capital. Presently, the city is trying to reconcile a modern megacity with the needs of heritage preservation.

Culture

The culture of the city of Mexico is rich and is a mixture of native cultures, the Spanish, and the world. It is among the richest cultural cities in the world, boasting over 150 museums, over and to uncountable galleries, theatres and cultural centres.

The most popular is the National Museum of Anthropology, which maintains the treasures of Mexico's pre-Hispanic civilisations that include such beautiful objects as the Aztec Sun Stone and the artefacts of Olmec, Maya, and Zapotec civilisations. The Frida Kahlo Museum, found in her previous residence in Coyoacan, gives a closer insight into the life of one of the greatest artists in Mexico. The Palacio de Bellas Artes, with its Art Nouveau and Art Deco design, has opera, ballet and exhibitions of art with a fabulous stained-glass curtain.

Festivals form the key component of the city's identity. Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a festival that is an intersection of both the indigenous and the Catholic beliefs with respect to the loved ones who have departed. Casas with household representations of altars decorated in marigolds, candles and offerings can be found up and down the streets and in town squares, with parades and artistic installations lending to the city a festiveness of life and remembrance. Independence Day on September 16 is an occasion of fireworks, parades and the president re-imagining El Grito de Dolores on the balcony of the National Palace. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the week of solemn processions and religious imitations because of the roots of the city as a Catholic.

Another characteristic is cuisine, with street vendors selling tacos al pastor and tamales, to top-rated restaurants serving a new take on centuries-old dishes, the food scene in the city is varied and steeped in history. The indigenous ingredients of maize, beans and chilli peppers are the base, made richer over many centuries by European, African and Asian influences. The culinary tradition is represented by a vivid demonstration at markets like La Merced and Mercado de Coyoacan.

The performing arts and music are other primary activities in Mexico City. Mariachi bands can be found in Plaza Garibaldi, and theatres and concert halls provide classical symphonies through to modern rock. The paintings on the walls, painted by Diego Rivera among others, depict the city as an open-air gallery, particularly in the buildings. Street art has been thriving, too, with whole neighbourhoods, such as Roma and Coyoacan, becoming paintings with a message.

Language

The predominant language of Mexico City is Spanish, which is spoken by most inhabitants. Nevertheless, linguistic diversity is much more omnipresent than might seem at first sight. Mexico is officially plurilingual, and 68 national languages are expected, including the two dominant languages, Spanish and 67 indigenous languages (which are recognised as such by the General Law of Linguistic Rights of Indigenous Peoples).

In the city of Mexico, Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, is currently the most popular among the indigenous languages maintained by community organisation work, schools, publications and cultural activities. There are also other indigenous languages, e.g. Mixtec, Otom, and Zapotec, which are brought to the state by migrants elsewhere.

English is an increasingly important part of business, tourism and academia, whilst immigrant communities add other languages, such as German, French, Arabic and Chinese. The multilingual aspect reflects the idea that a combination of cultures meets in the city and the trend of attachment to the local culture of Mexico, the native land.

Geography

Mexico City is situated in a basin within a highland area called the Valley of Mexico that is encircled by mountains and volcanoes. The most well-known mountains are Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl, whose crowned tops are viewable on sunny days and whose tales are also considered local folklore. The city has a mild climate in spite of its tropical location due to its elevation, with average annual temperatures of 18 °C (64 °F).

The weather is broken down into a dry period between November and April and a wet period over the months of May to October, which often brings downpours in the afternoon. The site of the city on the dried-up lakebed of Lake Texcoco has influenced the city. The productive soils formerly sustained farming, but the drying up of the lake and the pumping of underground water have resulted in a lot of subsidence.

An urban environment is a conglomeration of rich historic neighbourhoods, contemporary commercial centres, and parks. The Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is home to colonial-era streets and plazas. The Chapultepec Park is one of the largest city parks in the Western Hemisphere, boasting museums, a zoo and recreational areas. Downtown areas such as Santa Fe have skyscrapers and shopping centres, whereas other neighbourhoods such as Coyoacan and San Angel are more conventional and bohemian.

The geographical position of Mexico City on the bed of the former Lake Texcoco has predetermined its existence and difficulties. The city is prone to subsidence as the soft clay soils are prone to several centimetres per year disappearing because of groundwater exploitation. Such soils also enhance the seismic waves that augment earthquake risk. When it occurred in 1985, the earthquake proved how potent this mixture can be.

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