Have you ever wondered what it is like to be in Mexico City, one of the most impressive cities in the world? You can begin your journey by taking a look at our appealing photos of Mexico City. Our guide will provide you with the most complete travel information for Mexico City s so you can learn about Mexico City’s historical sites, restaurants, commercial areas and much more. Whether you need travel advice for your Mexico City vacations or you are looking for the best travel deals in Mexico City for your business trip, you will find it all here.
Today, Mexico City is the major center of commerce, finance and the arts of the country, as it was once the focal point of power of the ancient Aztec empire and a gem in New Spanish Viceroy’s crown. Mexico City is the oldest in North America and encapsulates all the best the nation has to offer. Mexico City is a sprawling metropolis, rich with treasures such as mystic ruins and European-inspired constructions. Mexico City is the place where business, art and urban culture flourish the most.
According to an estimate in 2000, Mexico City has 20 million inhabitants and it is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. It is also the seat of Mexico's powerful, centralized federal government. Much of the political decision-making for the nation takes place in Mexico City. Culturally, Mexico City dominates the nation since most of Mexico's leading universities, intellectual magazines, newspapers, museums, theaters, performing arts centers, and publishing firms are located in the capital.
The country's capital offers you an unforgettable time in unpaired hotels such as Camino Real Mexico, Marquis Reforma, Milton Airport, Galeria Plaza Holiday Inn Plaza Dali, Royal Zona Rosa, Hotel del Prado.
Mexico City resembles a rough oval and lies at the southern edge of the Mexican central plateau in the Valley of Mexico, a basin at an altitude averaging 2,239 m (7,347 ft) ringed by a series of mountain ranges. Mexico City's climate is fairly consistent and steady, a product of both the city's latitude, which is south of the Tropic of Cancer. Although the city is located in a tropical climatic zone, the city's extremely high elevation produces a moderate climate with a narrow range of temperatures.
Mexico City can offer a great variety of attractions in its three major zones of interest. The Historic Center, the Paseo de La Reforma-Chapultepec Park and Southern Mexico City.
The Historic Center encompasses the Zocalo, Avenida Madero/Juárez, the Alameda park, several fine museums and important historic sites. The entire area was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1987. In 1999 the Mexico City Tourism Authority invested $300 million along with private sector investors to rehabilitate and renovate the area.
The Paseo de La Reforma/Chapultepec Park zone crosses several kilometers along the city's grand east-west, French-inspired avenue; an area with strong European influence; versatile museums (including the Anthropological Museum, children’s Papalote Museum and Chapultepec Castle) and the dashing Zona Rosa and Polanco areas.
The southern sector of Mexico City encloses the National University, ruins of Cuicuilco, the floating gardens of Xochimilco, Coyoacan and San Angel, as well as several excellent museums.
Modern skyscrapers sprung up in districts such as Polanco, Anzures, Del Valle and Santa Fe. Being a mega-city, Mexic City features all sorts of amusement opportunities during the day and at night; architectural wonders and amazing monuments are present all over Mexico City.
The capital city is full of hustle and bustle: restaurants, museums, art galleries, fashion shops and boutiques, cultural performances including shows and plays. A tour through Coyoacan, San Angel, Tlalpan or Xochimilco allows for the enjoyment of the most traditional and sophisticated city ambience. One thing is for sure: Mexico City has much to offer even to the most jaded visitor.
The history tells us that the Aztecs established Tenochtitlan on a small island on the Lake Texcoco on March 18, 1325 The Aztecs ruled in this area, conquering other communities in the surrounds for centuries until the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortez arrived in the region in 1519, and on August 13, 1521 he succeeded in conquering the Aztec City.
By 1525 the rebuilt city became the viceregal capital of the New Spain, where even the Captaincy General of Guatemala, Cuba, Florida and the Philippines were administered.
During the War of Independence from the Spanish crown (1810-1821), Mexico City managed to retain its importance, and in 1821, it became the house of the new Emperor Agustin Iturbide embracing the incipient republic that replaced the former organization of the New Spain.
In 1824, Mexico City was declared the Mexican Federal District, ceasing to be the seat of government for both the State of Mexico and the entire nation.
On September 13,C 1847, Mexico City was invaded by U.S. Gen. Winfield Scott forcing the President of Mexico to recognize Texas as independent and cede Northern California and New Mexico to the U.S. A second invasion to the city took place in 1864, when the French established the reign of Maximilian of Habsburg. This short monarchy inherited the reconstruction of Chapultepec castle and other urban planning under the Champs Elysees’ style.
The dictatorship under Porfirio Diaz that lasted three decades also shows French influence. Various predominant curren landmarks of Mexico City like the Palace of Fine Arts, the Angel of Independence as well as the extension of Paseo de la Reforma were built during that period.
Mexico City suffered the battles of the Ten Tragic Days of February 1913 in revolutionary times, which practically destroyed the city.
The post-revolutionary government gave Mexico City more international projection.
In 1968 Mexico City was the venue for the 1968 Olympic Games, as well as for the FIFA World Cup in 1970 and 1986.
The 1990’s were years of development in most scopes. The increase in population from 3 million inhabitants in 1920 to 20 million in 2000 seems to be the consequence of the immense growth of the city in the economic field.
New Passport Requirements
As part of U.S. Department of State's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, all travelers will be required to present a valid passport or other accepted document(s) to enter or re-enter the U.S. (visitors and U.S. residents) as early as January 8, 2007, from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
• January 8, 2007: All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document (MMDs).
• January 1, 2008: All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.
Click here to get complete details on New Requirements for Travelers including a list of "other accepted documents" from U.S Department of State.
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