Required fields are marked *. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban settlements in the Western Hemisphere, and it is ranked as one of the world’s most populous metropolitan areas. ), The Secret Science of Solving Crossword Puzzles, Racist Phrases to Remove From Your Mental Lexicon. Tripfore is a travel blog focused on best places, things to do and tour attractions around the world. Author of several articles on Mexican geography and archaeology. Time-lapse video of Mexico City and Teotihuacán. The razing of Tenochtitlán and the emergence of Mexico City, https://www.britannica.com/place/Mexico-City, Mexico City - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Mexico City - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). The capital of Mexico is Mexico City, which is the oldest metropolis in North America. Omissions? Mexico City is one the world’s most populated metropolitan city and is known for being a very vital financial center of the continent. Tripfore.com Copyright 2020. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The main religion in Mexico City is Roman Catholicism as 88% of the population practice it. One of the few major cities not located along the banks of a river, it lies in an inland basin called the Valley of Mexico, or Mesa Central. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The city’s rich heritage is palpable on the streets and in its parks, colonial-era churches, and museums. Mexico City’s leading position with regard to other urban centres of the developing world can be attributed to its origins in a rich and diverse environment, its long history as a densely populated area, and the central role that its rulers have defined for it throughout the ages. As of today, the Mexico City is home to a vast number of immigrants from various parts of the globe. Will 5G Impact Our Cell Phone Plans (or Our Health?! But the capital’s huge metropolitan population constitutes some one-fifth of Mexico’s total, representing one of the world’s most significant ratios of capital-to-national population. Its inhabitants have sought to preserve the magnificence of the past, including the ruins of the main Aztec temple and the mixture of 19th-century French-style mansions and department stores that complement its graceful colonial palaces and churches. Is the Coronavirus Crisis Increasing America's Drug Overdoses? The Mexicans call it la Ciudad de Mexico or Mexico, D.F. The valley is an extension of the southern Mexican Plateau and is also known as Anáhuac (Nahuatl: “Close to the Water”) because the area once contained several large lakes. Chapultepec Castle, the Independence Monument, the Pemex fountain, and numerous other monuments and memorials attest to past dreams and future aspirations amid the chaos of congested avenues and endless neighbourhoods built on the dry bed of Lake Texcoco. Professor of Geography, University of Wyoming. Mexico City is the capital of Mexico. Mexico City is one of the most important cultural and financial centers in the Americas. Recently, there have been arrival of immigrants from Asia-Pacific countries like South Korea and china. Along the city's southeast side are two volcanoes: Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. Our latest podcast episode features popular TED speaker Mara Mintzer. Another tourist attraction that is very important and pulls many tourists towards Mexico City is its spicy cuisine. Mexico City sits atop a … In contrast, the southern part of the Federal District sustains a limited population on its mountain slopes. Supermarkets have sprung up around the metropolis, but traditional markets such as the Merced are still bustling with hawkers of fresh fruits, live chickens, tortillas, and charcoaled corn on the cob. Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Mexico 2020, 30+ Best Places to Visit in Pakistan 2020, 20 Most Populated Countries in the World 2020, 50+ Travel Blogs that Accept Guest Posts 2020, 10 Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica in 2020, 8 Best Places to Enjoy Your Christmas Holidays in Europe, 6 Reasons To Book Your Stay At Hotels Hobart, LEGOLAND Dubai- Ultimate guide to planning a trip to Dubai’s theme park, 6 Best Places to Visit in Europe During Winters.