Mexico City, Mexico

Located in the very heart of Mexico, Mexico City represents the largest concentration of economic, political, cultural and religious activity in the nation and is referred to as Distrito Federal or DF.

At an altitude of 2,240 meters (7,349 ft), the city was originally built as Tenochtitlan by the Aztecs in 1325 on an island of Lake Texcoco. It was almost completely destroyed in the siege of 1521 and was subsequently redesigned and rebuilt in accordance with the Spanish urban standards. In 1524, the municipality of Mexico City was established, known as México Tenustitlán, and as of 1585 it was officially known as Ciudad de México.

One of the largest cities in the world, Mexico City is a cosmopolitan metropolis, and one of the world's most densely populated urban areas with over 25 million inhabitants. The city doesn’t seem to stop; it is a continuous movement comprised of cars, pedestrians, street corner restaurants, the most refined galleries, world-class museums, shopping centers and exclusive restaurants.

Two of the most important landmarks of the city is the Historic Center and the floating gardens of Xochimilco. Located in the southern borough, Xochimilco has been declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Within the historic center, you can find the Plaza de la Constitucion (Zocalo), the main central square with its time clashing Spanish-era Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace, and an ancient Aztec temple ruins known as Templo Mayor.

The most recognizable icon of Mexico City is the golden Angel of Independence, which can be found on the elegant avenue, Paseo de la Reforma. The avenue was modeled by the order of Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg after the Champs-Elysees in Paris and was designed in the XIX century to connect the National Palace and the Castle of Chapultepec. Today, this avenue hosts the main financial district which includes the Mexican Stock Exchange and many corporate headquarters.

The city has over 160 museums, over 100 art galleries, and over 30 concert halls, all of which maintain constant cultural activity throughout the year.

Mexico City offers a vast array of culinary experiences with restaurants specializing in the regional cuisines from the many states in Mexico as well as a broad spectrum of international cuisines.

The nightlife in Mexico City is second to none and provides an enormous variety of entertainment. It is customary for residents to go out for dinner and then attend a show after 9:00 pm. It is said that Mexico City has the largest number of theaters in the Spanish speaking world, and at any time of the year, you will find Broadway productions translated to Spanish in many of the theaters.

Polanco is the upscale residential and commercial district which hosts the Zona Hotelera for upscale hotels. It is filled with embassies, elegant shops, boutiques, malls, and restaurants. The Presidente Masaryk Avenue in Polanco is where you can find all the upscale boutiques of famous designers such as Gucci, Christian Dior, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton among others. It is compared by some to LA'Rodeo Drive or New York City's 5th Avenue.

Without a doubt, you have heard about Mexico City's pollution. Major steps to improve the air quality are in place, such as the HOY NO CIRCULA program. This restricted driving program has worked to limit the numbers of cars being driven but the problem persists. During the rainy days of summer rainy, you probably won't even notice any pollution. However, if you suffer from respiratory problems, you should avoid outdoor activities during rush hour traffic.

Driving in Mexico City is as much a challenge and an adventure as driving in any major city in the world. Traffic runs the course of the usual rush hours. If you want to avoid getting stranded in traffic, plan to travel before dawn. Make park your car in a guarded lot whenever possible.

When you have time to explore, you will find nearby many small towns, archeological sites, and historic places with the visit.

Mexico City is full of life and ready to welcome you!

Mexico City's Tourism website
http://www.mexicocity.gob.mx/index/?idioma=en

Polanco Online - including directory of restaurants, shops, and services
http://www.polanco-online.com.mx/

Villa Maria Mexican Restaurant - offering traditional Mexican food
http://www.villamaria.com.mx/

La Hacienda de los Morales Restaurant
http://www.haciendadelosmorales.com/index/

Tiempo Libre - weekly magazine
http://www.tiempolibre.com.mx/

Mexico City "Full of Life"
http://ciudaddemexicollenadevida.com/