Ciudad De Mexico

Mexico City is called Ciudad de Mexico in Spanish and is the capital of the country. According to estimates it is perhaps one of the largest cities in the world. It has also been classified as a megalopolis as it comprises one large city that has slowly engulfed many other smaller ones. It is strategically located in the Mexico Valley in the center of Mexico about 2240 meters above sea level. The valley is surrounded on most sides by volcanoes which tower 4000 meters to 5000 meters above sea level. Ciudad de Mexico is officially used by the Distrito Federal (D.F.) which is a federal district serving as the capital of Mexico and administered by the Mexican Federal Government. However it should be noted that the D.F. is not a municipality and Ciudad de Mexico is used by Mexican authorities as a synonym for Distrito Federal. Very broadly “Mexico City” encompasses the whole metropolitan area of Greater Mexico City. Apart from the limits of the D.F. more than 35 independent municipalities located in Mexico State to the north, east, and west of the D.F. up to Hidalgo State in the north are encompassed in its metropolitan area. Mexico City is also one of the premier most populated metropolitan areas in the world with the likes of Tokyo, New York City, Seoul and Sao Paulo. The city has a distinct Mestizo culture which blends the native Indian and Spanish heritages. The city in the recent past gained a lot of prominence as a tourist center the world over.

The different types of transport which include a network of large buses and privately operated microbuses as well as electric transport apart from the metro such as trolleybuses and the Xochimico light rail line are all very attractive to behold. The international airport serving the city is Mexico City International Airport. However, be prepared to find congested roads on the streets of Mexico. A unique thing which you will notice on the streets of Mexico is that many middle-class and wealthy Mexico City residents have two cars, one odd and one even. Amongst the many famous landmarks are the Zocalo (officially Constitution Square), the main central square constituting the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Spanish era and the Palacio Nacional. Close by to these attractions one will also find the ancient Aztec temple ruins of Templo Mayor. Make sure that you get an opportunity to see the longest street in the world (according to the locals), ‘The Avenida de los Insurgentes’ which runs from one end of the city to the other end.