LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Mexico City: Capitals
built 628 days ago
Mexico City was the cultural, religious, political, and cultural capital of New Spain, which was Spain's name for the colony. Within the traza, wealthy Spaniards jockeyed for preeminence in building their palaces. Religious orders staked out sumptuous and imposing buildings, thereby claiming their presence in the city. The Inquisition, the Pontifical and Royal University, and many other civil organizations built equally impressive edifices. The traza could no longer hold the Spanish population, and it began to spill out along the well-established causeways and avenues that radiated off of the central plaza. In the early seventeenth century the viceroy decreed the creation of a large public garden, known as the Alameda.
Source:
Mexico City is the only place where you can find true insight into this captivating country -- veiled in mysticism, infused with an appreciation of the moment, and proud of its heritage. Founded more than 675 years ago as the ancient city of Tenochtitlán and capital of the Aztec Empire, today it has some 22 million inhabitants -- making it a contender for the most populated city on the globe. Mexico City is a feast of urban energy, culture, dining, and shopping. The city has sidewalk cafes and cantinas; bazaars and boutiques; pyramids, monuments, and museums; and a multitude of entertainment options. And when you've had your fill of the city, memorable towns and historic national landmarks are only a couple of hours away in any direction.
Source:
During the eighteenth century, Mexico City saw dramatic changes. The city grew rapidly, building principally to the south and west, as vast areas of dry lakebed were reclaimed. Wealth resulting from increased mining activity and commerce poured into the city, prompting a building boom. Rich miners, merchants, and newly titled nobles built palatial mansions. The religious orders ... constructed opulent churches and convents. The city more completely eclipsed all the regional capitals as the leading metropolis of the colony.
Source:
[W]hen it comes to dining, Mexico City showcases gourmet Mexican dishes from every region of the country alongside and incredible assortment of international cuisines. Mexico City surprises visitors with its excellent assortment of international restaurants, in addition to being the culinary capital of Mexican cuisine. Settings often highlight a unique atmosphere, and service is always attentive and polite. Dining here is more formal than at beach resorts, and most of the finer dinner houses require coat and tie for men. Three colonias of the city attract the most diners: Polanco, with its trendy bistros; the Zona Rosa for its assorted international choices; and the nearby Colonia Romoa/Condesa area, home to street side cafes, bistros, and varied settings (the Capital’s own Soho!). Mexico City vacations are ideal for all!
Source:
Mexico City fell to the Spanish on 13 August 1521. Hernán Cortés (1485–1547) ordered the site abandoned and built his capital several miles south in the town of Coyoacán. Nevertheless, the old site continued to attract both native peoples and Spaniards, and construction of a city began there. Finally, in 1524, Cortés recognized the old city as the new capital, giving it the name Mexico-Tenochtitlán.
Source:
All Mexico City museums offer free admission on Sundays and holidays and are usually closed Mondays unless otherwise indicated. In 1978, as telephone workmen were laying a cable, they came upon the ruins of the ancient Aztec capital. Walls of temples and giant sculptures of eagle knights, the goddess of the moon and god of war and thousands of other artifacts suddenly came to light. The Museo de Templo Mayor, which houses all these treasures, was built on the site. The excavation is on view from the street level.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Capitals