Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico. Located in the Valley of Mexico, a large valley in the high plateaus at the centre of Mexico, the dynamic city is on a highland basin at 2,240 metres above sea level. Mexico City is the most densely populated city in the country with an estimated population of 20 million.

Image Courtesy of Gary Denness

Originally built as Tenochtitlan by the Aztecs in 1325 on an island of Lake Texcoco, the city was almost destroyed in the siege of 1521 and subsequently rebuilt. Mexico City served as the political, administrative and financial centre of the Spanish colonial empire. Mexico is a Republic and celebrates 200 years of Independence from Spain and 100 years of the Mexican Revolution in 2010.

Mexico is part of North America, sharing Northern borders with the United States of America and southern borders with Guatemala and Belize. Once the centre of the Aztec empire, the capital Mexico City remains the centre of business, government and culture of the country today. The zócalo, or town square, is built on the same spot where Montezuma's palace once stood. At over 52,000 m², the zócalo is the largest main square in Latin America and second largest public plaza in the world.

The city's rich colonial heritage is evident in the many historical monuments, colonial architecture and archaeological sites that stand alongside the skyscrapers and modern day structures in the city. Paseo de la Reforma – Mexico City's main thoroughfare – is a good example of this. Magnificent monuments such as the Independence Monument share the space along this boulevard with modern high-rise office buildings, luxury hotels and colonial mansions.

Yet amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, there is an enormous 8 km² of green space or the Chapultepec Park, which contains many of the city’s major attractions. It is no wonder that Mexico City has often been referred to as the 'Manhattan of Latin America'.

The Mexican Olympic Committee, or Comite Olimpico Mexicano, was set up in 1923. The City was the first Latin-American host of the Olympic Games in 1968. It has also hosted the Central American and Caribbean Games in 1926, 1954 and 1990 and the Panamerican Games in 1955 and 1975.

The choice of México City to host the 1968 Olympic Games was a controversial one due to the city's high altitude (about 2,300m). The altitude was an advantage in explosive events like short distance running, jumping and throwing while it was a strain for those who competed in endurance events. This resulted in world records in all of the men's races that were 400m or shorter, including the long and triple jump events.

Mexico City organized two Soccer World Cups in 1970 and 1986, which solidified its status as a host for international sporting events.

Interesting Facts

• Mexican hurdler Enriqueta Basilio was the first woman to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony.
• Dick Fosbury won the men’s high jump with a new jumping style now known as the "Fosbury Flop".
• For the first time, winners had to undergo a doping test.
• Black American athletes made an act of racial protest, also known as “Black Power” at the Games. During the medal presentation ceremony, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, gold and bronze medal winners in the 200m, raised a black-gloved fist and hung their heads when their country's national anthem was played. In doing this, they were protesting against racial segregation in the United States and were subsequently expelled from the Olympic Village.