The capital of Mexico – Mexico City leads its name from Mehitli, who was the Aztec god of war. The ancient Aztecs wandered around America, engaged in fishing and hunting. In 1200, according to legend, Indian tribes brought the sun god Huizilpochtli to this place. According to legend, the nomadic people had to settle for permanent residence in a place where they would see an eagle sitting on a high cactus with a snake in its beak.
The Aztecs created a settlement on the western shore of Lake Texcoco. Beautiful valley with the settlement received the name Tenochtitlan. Translated, it means the House of cactus rock. Later, the capital of Emperor Motekusome II Shokootsin was founded here. We know him by the name of Montezuma. Therefore, it is often said that Mexico was founded by the Indians in 1325. The city has not survived to our time, but what’s left of it speaks of its former greatness. Here are the remains of an ancient Tenochtitlana 50 km from the new Mexico City.
Even in ancient times, the capital was equipped with water using canals, dams, reservoirs. The lake and three dams supplied the inhabitants with water. The canals served as streets and connected the city center with the rest of the territory. Stone dam protected the city from flooding.
Many were amazed at the magnificent drawbridges that allowed walking on land among the houses. Therefore, the first Europeans called the city of Tenochtitlan – the Aztec Venice. In the 16th century, the population of the city was about 500 thousand people. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived, the city celebrated its bicentennial. From the words of the Spanish conquistador, it can be argued that in Europe “… nobody has ever seen such a thing, heard it, and even in a dream did not dream of anything like what we then saw.” Until now, scientists have not solved the mystery of these pyramids, as well as the ancient pyramids of Egypt.
Although the Aztecs were considered a warlike tribe, who managed to subjugate the entire population in the district, the Spaniards met on November 8, 1519, peacefully. It was helped by the fact that, according to legend, the light-faced, fair-skinned and bearded god, Quetzalcoatl, should have returned to the city in the year of the reed rod. And the Spaniards just reminded it of the god Quetzalcoatl.
But with its policy Cortes pushed the Aztecs to revolt. The uprising was crushed by weapons that the Indians did not have. It was at this time that the capital was called Mexico, and the colony was called New Spain. May 13, 1521 was declared the day of the transfer of the city to the possession of the Spanish king. This was the death of the Aztec Empire. Here is a copy of an ancient engraving about the colonization of the Aztec tribes by the Spaniards.
Mexicans are very careful about the heritage of antiquity. On the territory of the city there are 10 archaeological parks, several monasteries, which were built in the XVII-XVIII centuries. In Mexico City, a lot of buildings preserved at different times throughout the great history of the city.
And the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe is considered the main shrine of all Catholic inhabitants of the country.
Mexico City in its lifetime saw many wars related to the colonial past. But in 1917, a revolution took place, and the country gained independence. Now it is one of the major cities in North America, which is located at an altitude of 2,240 meters. 8.8 million people live in this center on an area of 1,499 km. Therefore, it is believed that Mexico City is the third largest country in the world by right. Modern Mexico City amazes our imagination.
Centuries have passed, but the passion of all greats among Mexicans has not passed, but rather strengthened. It is in this city that there are such facilities that are the largest, not only in Latin America, but also in the world. One of these is the Tower Major, the tallest building in all of Latin America.
A major attraction is the Metro Mexico City, it holds primacy in its length. Also, its size impresses with Benito Juarez Mexico City International Airport. And the new modern quarters of this huge city will surprise everyone. Here, for example, a museum of modern art. There are such unusual structures that you will not immediately understand what it is? Mexico City is a city of contrasts. Next to the most original modern buildings can be ordinary small private houses.
