Mexico City

Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico, located in the central part of the country at an elevation of about 2,240 metres above sea level. It occupies much of the Valley of Mexico, a high basin surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. The city has a subtropical highland climate, with mild temperatures compared with its latitude, a rainy season mainly from May to October and a drier period during the rest of the year. Its high altitude and enclosed location strongly influence local weather and air quality.

Mexico City was built on the site of an ancient lake system, and parts of the urban area still experience gradual land subsidence because groundwater is extracted from underground aquifers. Despite these environmental challenges, the metropolitan area has become one of the largest urban concentrations in the Americas. It is a major centre for government, education, culture, industry, finance and services, with an extensive public transport network serving millions of people.

The history of Mexico City goes back to the Mexica city of Tenochtitlan, founded on an island in Lake Texcoco in the early 14th century. After the Spanish conquest in 1521, the colonial city was built largely over the remains of Tenochtitlan and became the capital of New Spain. Following Mexico's independence, it remained the country's political centre and expanded far beyond its historic core. Today, the city combines colonial buildings, modern business districts, large residential areas and archaeological remains.

The Historic Centre and the ancient canals and gardens of Xochimilco were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. Important sites include the Zócalo, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace and the National Museum of Anthropology. Mexico City therefore brings together several layers of history while functioning as a modern metropolis whose cultural and economic influence extends throughout Mexico.