Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City
The Photo Creative Commons License Pedro Pernías.

Mexico City (Spanish: Ciudad de México) is the capital of Mexico. Founded by the Aztecs as Tenochtitlán in 1325, Mexico City is both the oldest and the highest (7,347 ft) metropolis on the North American continent. And with nearly 22 million inhabitants, it is the third largest metropolitan area in the world (after Tokyo and New York City). Mexico City is home to many important sacred sites, religious buildings and archaeological remains. With Mexico City as a base, you can experience the most popular Catholic shrine in the world, marvel at several ancient stone pyramids and temples, and browse fascinating artifacts in the world-class National Anthropological Museum.


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Teotihuacán
Constructed around 300 AD, this astonishing collection of pyramids was believed to be the center of creation. The massive stone pyramids are laid out according to astronomical alignments.
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The holiest shrine in Latin America and most popular Catholic shrine in the world, this basilica houses a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary who appeared to an Aztec convert.
Templo Mayor
This 14th-century Aztec temple was the center of religious life in Mexico City before the Spaniards arrived. Most of its stone was used to build the nearby cathedral.
Metropolitan Cathedral
The oldest and largest cathedral in Latin America, the Catedral Metropolitana dominates the Zócalo plaza in Mexico City.