Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the western hemisphere and is the country’s most important cultural, political, financial and educational center. It’s a captivating city to many, drawing visitors and expats with cultural, architectural, culinary and other unique delights.
The first time one flies into the city at night, it is an incredible sight. The city looks huge and creates an impressive picture of a massive carpet of lights disappearing into the Valley (Valle de Mexico).
Whether you are relocating to Mexico or enjoying a visit, you may enjoy knowing more about this fascinating city, its culture and way of life.
- Origins
Mexico City’s original name during the Aztec empire was Gran Tenochtitlan.
It was built on an island in a lake called Texcoco. - Population
It is the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world and has a population of more than 25 million people. - Cultural Scene
It has the most museums in the world, more than 160, from the Anthropology Museum, Ripley’s Museum and the Inquisition Museum to the Soumaya Museum donated by Carlos Slim, the wealthiest man in the world, the Jumex Collection, the largest contemporary art private collection in Latin America, and the Tolerance Museum.
It ranks fourth in the world in number of theatres, after New York, London and Toronto.
There are close to 100 art galleries.
It hosts the most important art event in Latin America, the Zona MACO International Contemporary Art Fair.
Mexico City was the first city in Latin America to host the Olympic Games (1968).
It has the oldest university in Latin America: Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM). Its main campus, Ciudad Universitaria, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. - Transportation
Avenida Insurgents is one of the largest avenues in the world.
Mexico City’s Metro underground system is Latin America’s largest underground system, transporting more than 8 million users daily. The ticket cost is subsidized by the government. - Crime
Now one of the safest cities in Mexico, the city’s crime rate is ranked below Moscow and Washington, D.C.
Mexico City is a vibrant capital full of contrasts: flowing hectic and slow; depicted colorful and dull; and full of surrealistic scenes of buzzing chaos and calm order at the same time. A complex, fascinating, enduring city, worthy of a visit or a move.