Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Historical Facts About Mexico City

Mexico City became one of the most important Spaniard cities in the Americas by 1530, and had renowned architecture by the eighteenth century. In 1821, Mexico finally gained its freedom from Spain, and the new republic declared Mexico City the nation's capital in 1824. Today, it is the largest city in Mexico, and also its capital.


Founding Date


Mexico City was founded on June 8, 1325, and was initially named Mexico-Tenochtitlan.


Built on Ruins


Mexico City is built on the ruins of an old Aztec city named Tenochtitlan.


Canal


The central canal was built in 1900 and runs to the Panuco River.


Sinking


The city's heaviest buildings are sinking at a rate of 4 to 12 inches per year due to the artisan wells and drainage lowering the water tables, making the ground too weak to hold them.


Earthquakes


Mexico City is built in an area of great seismic activity, with extensive earthquake damage caused in 1957 and 1985. Over 30,000 people were left homeless from the earthquake in 1985.


Population Growth


Mexico City's population more than doubled between 1930 and 1950.


World's Longest Avenue


Mexico City houses one of the world's longest avenues, Avenida Insurgents.







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