The capital of Mexico is ... Sights of the capital of Mexico

Mexico is a country about which very few people know anything interesting. For most of the inhabitants of the world this state is known as a place where such masterpieces of cinematography as "Wild Rose", "Simply Maria", "The Rich Are Crying" and other soap operas that won the hearts of millions of inhabitants of the post-Soviet territories in the nineties appeared. Meanwhile, Mexico is a beautiful land, with an ancient and magical history, amazing sights, derived from the Mayan prophets and unsurpassed nature, formed over the centuries.

The very first civilizations

The area of Mexico is 1 972 550 km ² . In addition, its territory includes approximately 6000 km ² islands located in the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Mexican and California Gulfs. Naturally, not all these lands immediately belonged to the country. They were conquered, given, returned back, and this lasted until the state known to the modern man was formed. Excavations in 1947, held in Tepespane and other possessions of the country, proved that no less than 22 thousand years ago on the territory of this part of America appeared the first man. By the fifth to sixth centuries BC, the first sedentary civilizations are being formed here. They were engaged in growing legumes, pumpkins and maize.

Historians know several ancient cultures of Mexico. One of them is the Olmecs, who inhabited the modern area of Mexico somewhere from the 12th to the 5th century BC. E. The centers of this civilization were mainly located in Tres Zapotes, Cerro de las Mesas and La Venta. Today these are the states of Tabasco, Guerrero and Veracruz. The Olmecs had a strong enough influence on civilizations, which arose a little later. Their prosperity refers to the IV-IX centuries of our era. Today these cultures are considered classic. To such include the civilization of Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Totonak, and, of course, Maya.

Parish of the Spaniards

The Mexican lands were famous for their extraordinary wealth. About their treasures were heard the Spanish conquistadors. In 1511, the Spanish ship crashed near the Yucatán Peninsula. This was the first meeting between the peoples inhabiting Central America and the Europeans. Geronimo de Aguilar is a man who managed to survive in that catastrophe. He stayed to live with the Maya. Jeronimo mastered the language of this people, and eight years later became an interpreter on an expedition headed by Ernan Cortez.

Mexico is a country, in which, in 1517, both its study and conquest are at the same time. Diego Velasquez - the Governor of Cuba - equipped several expeditions here. The first of these was led by Francisco Hernandez de Cordova in 1517, the second was led by Juan de Grichalva in 1518. And the last took place in 1519. Its head was made by Hernan Cortes. It was he who conquered the empire that belonged to the Aztecs, and became the governor of those territories that managed to subordinate to his laws.

Sights of Mexico

Mexico is a state that has experienced much suffering in its lifetime. And the witnesses of all these tests are, of course, the sights of the country. There are a lot of them here. To visit all these amazing places is quite difficult. But there are some special exhibits that you just need to see first hand. One such is the mountain-volcano Orizaba. This giant reached a height of 5,636 meters and is considered the highest Mexican peak. Orizaba is mostly called a mountain, but in reality it is not so. It's a real volcano. At the border of the XVI-XVII centuries, the greatest number of eruptions occurred. During this time there were already seven powerful explosions. After one of them in 1687 Orizaba fell asleep. The Aztecs called it Tsitlatepetl - a mountain that aspires to the stars.

Also worth a visit is Fort San Diego. This pentagonal building, its shape resembling a star. It is in Acapulco. The fort was built to protect merchant ships and the city from pirates from Holland and England. San Diego was built in the XVII century. This is the only historic landmark in Acapulco, which has survived to this day.

Formation of the Mexican capital

The capital of Mexico is called Mexico. But the city did not always bear such a name. Previously it was called Tenochtitlan. The city was founded in 1325 by the Aztecs. There is a tradition according to which, Huitzilopochtli - the sun god - ordered the Indians to come here. He told the Aztecs to settle in a place where they would meet a proud eagle that would sit on a tall cactus and hold a snake in its beak. The Indians searched for such territory for a long time, but nevertheless they found it and founded a settlement there. Tenochtitlan appeared on the western shore of Lake Texcoco. Later it became the capital of the Aztec state.

The capital of Mexico is an indescribable beauty. The first Europeans, who were struck by the splendor of Tenochtitlán, called it the Aztecs of Venice. This unsurpassed city lasted almost two hundred years. His conquest of the Spaniards, so he was badly destroyed. In 1521, on the site of the ruins, a new city was created - Mexico City.

City of contrasts

The capital of Mexico is a city full of contrasts. He either likes it at first sight, or causes irritation and a burning desire to leave him immediately and go to a place where there is a little more rest. Unrivaled museums and buildings coexist with poor neighborhoods, and ancient churches and fragrant parks, synonymous with the word "peace", border on the bustling and busy streets. In short, Mexico City is a multi-faceted locality, it is special, unpredictable and fascinating, as, in principle, the country itself.

Museums in Mexico City

Capital museums - this is one of the main attractions of the city. Mexico, the capital of Mexico City in particular, is simply oversaturated by them. The most beautiful and impressive institutions are located right here. First of all I would like to mention the city museum of Mexico. It is housed in a baroque palace. This building was built in the XVIII century and belonged to the Count's family of Santiago de Calimaya, who was a descendant of the famous conquistador Cortes. The museum in this house was opened only in 1964. There are 26 rooms that demonstrate the history of the development of the capital of Mexico from the time of the Aztecs to modern days.

Not less famous is the house-museum of Leon Trotsky. In it, the great publicist lived the last few months of his existence, and here he was killed in 1940. The capital of Mexico is a city that provided a political shelter to a famous revolutionary in 1937. On August 20, 1990, the house museum was officially opened. Here is a public library, in which Trotsky's works, some of his documents, are carefully preserved.

Palaces of Mexico City

Among all the sights of this city, I would like to note the palaces that majestically settled in their honorable territories. The capital of Mexico (photo can be seen in our article) can boast the Chapultepec Palace. It is the most famous castle in all of North America. Here once there were emperors, presidents and governors of the country. The palace is located on the hill of the same name, whose height reaches 2325 meters above sea level. King Bernard de Gálves was the initiator of the founding of the castle. Today, there are numerous excursions, which are popular with all visitors without exception.

Palace of Fine Arts - another attraction that won the hearts of many travelers. This is an opera house, and it is located in the heart of the city of Mexico City. The building is the largest building on the planet, for the erection of which Carrara marble was used. The domes of this masterpiece of architecture are decorated with Italian marble. And the interior of the theater was created by Federico Mariscal.

Latin American Tower

As already mentioned above, the country of Mexico (whose capital Mexico City) is a state full of contrasts. But, in addition to them, paradoxes still fill it. One of those is the Latin American tower - 183-meter building, located in the center of the capital. This building is located in an earthquake-prone zone, but this did not prevent it from successfully surviving several powerful earthquakes.

The tower has 44 floors. And the construction was created not so long ago, in 1956. Today it is used as an office center. Moving from floor to floor is possible on a high-speed elevator, which here, by the way, is two: one for only half a minute will take you to the 37th tier, and the other reaches up to 42 floors, where there is a cafe and an observation deck.

The day of the Dead

No, no, do not be afraid, this is a traditional Mexican holiday. Just if you are lucky enough to visit the country, when it will pass, be sure to visit it. The country Mexico (the capital in particular) celebrates this day of the first and second of November. These events are the occasion for the whole family and friends to gather, so that they can pray and remember those who are no longer around. In the country during the celebrations, not a single bank operates. So, people go to the cemeteries, where they want to spend some time with the souls of the deceased. On the graves they build altars, on which they exhibit photographs, favorite drinks and dishes, memorable items of one who rests in the earth.

The skull is the main symbol of this holiday. People celebrating the Day of the Dead cover their faces with masks, wear skeleton suits, prepare skulls of chocolate or sugar, and write their names on the forehead of a peculiar dessert. Perhaps for us it is somewhat wild, and there - in the order of things. Sweet skulls are presented as a souvenir, both alive and dead. The capital of Mexico is called Mexico City, and in the first two days of November it can be called a dead city.

It will be interesting to you

Mexico is an amazing country, and the capital of Mexico is in general something unique. And there are things that will surprise every person for whom this edge is at least the least interesting. So, here are some funny information about this state:

• Every year it is visited by 20 million people.
• Brazil - Mexico - a football match held between these states in the summer of 2014. The game ended with a score of 0: 0.
• The pyramid called Chichen Itza, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is in Mexico.
• Mexican cuisine uses 80 varieties of pepper.

Instead of concluding

It is Mexico that is home to everyone's favorite chocolate. And this is the only country in Latin America where the Olympic Games were held. So collect your bags, an exciting journey is waiting for you!