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 Mexico City: This is an enormous city that has grown well beyond anything you can imagine. It is a city created from the remains of many other cities. Here, everything comes in bulk packaging: passion, food, cars, buildings, bodies, desires, traditions, places and historical facts. But, in the middle of all this jungle, what does this City hide? Which are its favorite hiding places? Which are its mysteries? What pleasures and mysteries does this city hide? Many times destroyed and many times rebuilt, the City seems to regenerate itself.
Visiting Mexico City is a learning experience, a trip back to a past where every corner, every nook and cranny, each building seems to whispers its own story, its own tale. In this City, even what is gone can still be felt. It is a magnetic city: there is no way to pull away from the attractions found in its Downtown Historic Center, the Barrio of Coyoacan, the Xochimilco floating gardens or the charm of San Angel. Nobody can avoid taking a look at the countryside of the Desierto de los Leones, Los Dinamos National Park or the Ajusco Peak. One can only bow at its magnificent past, still felt and very much alive in its people, its food, and its colors. The City rests on top of the rooms and temples where, once upon a time, our ancestors lived. And what can we say about its Colonial buildings, with its own particular silent language of rocks, shapes and forms, spoken by the old Spaniards who had left behind their land. The treasures hidden in Mexico City are so many that it is impossible to hold on to them in one single embrace, but it is also impossible to let go. Thus, once you have lived Mexico City, you just have to come back.
Mexico City is divided into 16 political Districts. Of those, the most important are: Alvaro Obregon, Benito Juarez, Coyoacan, Cuauhtemoc, Miguel Hidalgo, Tlalpan, Xochimilco, Milpa Alta and Contreras.
ALVARO OBREGON
n this district there are several traditional "colonias" (sections), such as the old town of San Angel. There, you can walk through its quiet cobblestone streets and plazas, as well as visit the Temple and Convent del Carmen, the famous temple of San Sebastian and Diego Rivera's workshop, which currently houses a museum.
Every week, different events and bazaars take place, offering a wide variety of arts and crafts and beautiful works of art.
BENITO JUAREZ
In the District of Benito Juarez you will find David Alfaro Siqueiros' workshop. Next to it, is the famous World Trade Center, a convention center where a wide variety of expos and fairs take place. Also, on the top floor, you will find a rotating restaurant from where you will see a fantastic view of Mexico City.
In this district, there are several parks, such as "Parque Hundido" (sunken park) and "Parque de los Venados"; as well as the famous "Plaza de Toros Mexico" (bullfighting ring).
In this area, there are countless restaurants, movies and theatres, such as "Teatro de los Insurgentes", famous due to its mosaic mural created by Diego Rivera.
COYOACAN
The main characteristic of this district is the great amount of culture found in every corner, including architectural works, gardens, wooded areas and historical places.
Needless to say, Ciudad Universitaria (UNAM) is the most important cultural center in Mexico, which means that when you visit it, you will get to know a lot about the history of Mexican science and philosophy. The Coyoacan District is an area full of history, legends and traditions, where many of the Mexican personalities lived, such as Salvador Novo, Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo.
CUAUHTEMOC
In this district, one of Mexico's most beautiful avenues is located: Paseo de la Reforma. Along this magnificent drive you will find monuments in honor of many historic personalities, as well as others, such as the traffic circle where the fountain of Diana Cazadora is located, as well as the Angel of Independence.
The spectacular Independence Column, a distinctive feature of Mexico City and the Country, where Mexicans have seen their reflection for years, is one of the main meeting places for special events and enthusiastic celebrations.
To go sightseeing around this district is like taking a walk through our history, since this is where the National Palace (government offices), as well as the beautiful Cathedral and the Palace of Fine Arts, among many other buildings.
We cannot forget to mention the myriad of fine restaurants located within this district.
MIGUEL HIDALGO
Within this district you will find Chapultepec Park, with its three sections. Here, you will find the amusement park "La Feria de Chapultepec", as well as countless museums, such as the National Anthropology and History Museum, Chapultepec Castle and Modern Art Museum, among many others.
Within this district, you will also find the National Auditorium, as well as the Presidential Home, known as "Los Pinos".
XOCHIMILCO
This beautiful place is located at the south end of the City, where the pre-Hispanic way of growing plants and flowers is still very much alive. This is done in "chinampas", with artificial terraces that float on navigational channels. Also, in Xochimilco you can enjoy a relaxing "trajinera" (beautifully decorated flat canoes), amidst music, flower and food vendors. It is quite a different experience you just cannot miss.
Also, you can shop for the widest variety of plants, flowers and vegetables available in the local market.
In Mexico City, most of the economic activities in the country can be found. Here, 24.1% of the Nation's wealth is created. The main economic activities in the Capital City are financing, industrial trade, construction and tourism. Agriculture has almost been vanished. In this City, a large number of national as well as international banks, credit institutions, insurance companies operate. There are 316,000 businesses, that is, 80% of the total in the country. The main economic branches are: food, beverages, tobacco, textiles, paper, furniture, editorial and printing, chemistry, electronics and plastics. Trade is also very important, since here the main distribution center, Central de Abastos, is located. There are also hundreds of established and street markets are fund all over the city. Aside from this network of markets, we must include the large food and shopping centers. Tourism is another important activity, not only for being the Capital of Mexico, but also because the city itself includes a wide variety of tourist attractions. Only in the municipalities (Districts) of Xochimilco, Magdalena Contreras, Cuajimalpa, Milpa Alta and Tlahuac a small portion of agricultural activity can be found: they grow alfalfa, mangelwurzel, corn, beans, "nopal" (cactus) and peapod crops can be found.
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