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Mexico City or in Spanish: La Ciudad de México lies 7,350 ft (2,240 metres) above sea level. It is the capital and largest city of Mexico as well as being the largest city in the Americas and the world's third largest metropolitan area by population, after Tokyo and Seoul.
Mexico City as we know it today was founded in 1325 by the immigrant Mexica people also known as the Aztecs. The legend states that deep in the Valley of Mexico the Mexica encountered an eagle perched upon a nopal cactus devouring a snake. According to the Aztecs religious beliefs this was a sign to build the great metropolis, Tenochtitlán. The city was constructed on one of the islands of Lake Texcoco, which by 1521 had grown significantly with a population that would roughly equate to four times the population of London. In 1521, however, the Spanish destroyed Tenochtitlán rapidly crushing the Aztec Empire. By 1585 the city was officially known as La Ciudad de México (Mexico City). Catholic Churches were built on top of the Aztec temples; one could say that the Spanish quite literally raised the whole city as they proceeded to build on top of Tenochtitlán.
The most important national holiday observed in Mexico is the event that marks the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence, namely, the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores) also called the Grito de la Independencia (Cry of Independence). The Grito (cry) was made in Dolores near Guanajuato on September 16th, 1810 by the Catholic priest, Miguel Hidalgo after his famous speech that encouraged the people to revolt against the Spanish colonial government. The war lasted until September 27th 1821 that the Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire was effectively declared by Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero. Shortly after in 1824 the Federal District was created.
Mexico City started to expand horizontally in the early part of the 20th Century. By the 1950s the city was also growing vertically, with constructions such as the Torre Latinoamericana, which with its antenna, reaching a height of 669 feet. This was once the tallest skyscraper in Mexico and in all of Latin America. In 1900 the population was around 500,000, but due the city’s rapid growth the population today is around 20.5 million. It is one of the most important economic hubs in Latin America. Famous city landmarks include the Plaza de la Constitución (The Zócalo), the main central square with its Spanish-era Metropolitan Cathedral, National Palace and El Templo Mayor.
The Golden Angel of Independence is possibly the most famous landmark, which is on the wide and elegant avenue Paseo de la Reforma, very much modelled on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Transportation
Mexico City is served by the Sistema de Transporte Colectivo Metro, the largest in Latin America with 11 lines and 175 stations. A suburban rail system is the Tren Suburbano, similar to the Parisian RER, which connects the city downtown to the Northern suburbs. The metro is one of the busiest in the world, second after the New York City Subway, transporting between 4 and 5 million people every day. It is heavily subsidized by the state, with the lowest fares in the world, each trip costing just 3.00Mex$ and taking you to almost any place in the city from 05:00a.m. to midnight. Several stations display artifacts and architecture that were discovered during the metro's construction.
Mexico City is served by the Mexico City International Airport called Benito Juárez International Airport.
There are four major bus stations: North, South, Observatorio and TAPO, with bus services to many cities across the country as well as international connections. The city has just one train station though.
Shopping
Mexico City offers a wide range of shopping opportunities including exclusive boutiques, traditional markets, upscale open-air malls and artisanal markets. The markets called El Mercado Londres (Mercado Insurgentes), La Cuidadela and the Alameda are but a few of the plethora of markets found in Mexico City selling traditional crafts and wear. La Lagunilla and La Merced are the largest markets in the city with different sections, which include food, flowers, furniture, and clothing - almost everything imaginable.
The main source of fresh produce is the Central de Abastos, which covers an area the size of several dozen city blocks. The main fish market is known as La Viga and has fresh fish from all around the country. Most neighbourhoods have their own borough-regulated market, known as el mercado.
You will find all the main modern retailers downtown and in Polanco. There are also a number of large shopping centres and malls such as the Palacio de Hierro, Liverpool, Antara Polanco (an upscale open-air shopping center) and Centro Santa Fe (the largest shopping mall in Latin America).
Bullfights
The Plaza México, situated in Mexico City, is the world's largest bullring with 50,000 seats. The bullfights in The Plaza México occur on a seasonal basis, or Temporadas. The Temporada de Novilladas (where novices bullfight) during the spring and fall, and the Temporada Grande, where the well-known bullfighters from Mexico and all over the world fight, takes place during the winter months.
Restaurants
The city offers a vast variety of culinary experiences in which you can indulge, including restaurants specializing in the regional cuisines of all of Mexico's 31 states. Noteworthy restaurants include Contramar, Merotoro, El Cardenal, El Bajio and a well-known local secret the tacos of El Güero aka Tacos Hola that is located on the corner of Amsterdam and Michoacán in the neighborhood called “La Condesa”. The city also has several branches of renowned international restaurants and chefs and is one of the few cities in the world with a Cordon Bleu culinary school and restaurant.
Our Reviews
Thank you for choosing Our Man On The Ground to be your luxury travel guide to match you to your perfect destination. Read on for the city's highlights, our reviews on its hidden gem hotels, restaurants, bars, pubs and great things to do.
