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Distrito Federal Facts

Distrito Federal Facts
El Distrito Federal, or the Federal District of Mexico is the former name of the capital city of the United Mexican States, Mexico City. In 2016, Mexico City ceased being known as the Federal District and instead became officially known as Mexico City, although it is still an independent federal district with a level of autonomy almost at the level of a state, similar to Washington in the United States or Canberra, Australia. At nearly nine million people, Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world and is the largest city in Mexico. As a federal district, Mexico City ranks second in population compared to the other Mexican states in population, only behind the state of Mexico, which is essentially the suburbs of Mexico City. Mexico City is the oldest continuously inhabited urban area in North America. The Toltecs built cities north of modern Mexico City beginning in the ninth century AD but it was the Aztecs who built Tenochtitlan in 1325, in what would become the site of Mexico City. Today Mexico City is a thriving, cosmopolitan metropolis that serves as one of the chief financial and cultural hubs of Latin America.
Interesting Distrito Federal Facts:
Mexico City is surrounded by mountain chains and is at 7,500 feet above sea level.
Despite being near the Tropic of Cancer, Mexico City's high elevation moderates its temperatures only averaging 42° F as a low in January and 78° F as an average high in May.
As a federal district, Mexico City only comprises 577 square miles, which places it by far in last place among all the Mexican states in total landmass.
Mexico City officially became the nation's capital on November 18, 1824.
Mexico City's head of government is elected through popular election and it has its own legislative assembly similar to that of the other Mexican states.
Although not officially a state, Mexico City has representatives in both houses of Mexico's congress - the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
Just to the south of Mexico City is the Sierra Nevada (Snowy Mountains), also known as the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. It is a chain of volcanic mountains that traverses Mexico coast to coast for over 600 miles. Periodic eruptions are a major cause of smog and air pollution in Mexico City.
When a massive earthquake hit off the coast of the state of Michoacán in 1985, it took the lives of thousands of people and caused millions of dollars in damages.
Mexico City became the capital of the Spanish colony of New Spain in 1521.
Mexico City is the top producer of films in Latin America.
The largest bullfighting stadium in the world is the Plaza de Toros Mexico (Stadium of Mexican Bulls), located in central Mexico City.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City is one of the holiest places for Mexicans. Pious Mexican Catholics believe that it is the place where the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to a man named Juan Diego in 1531 and helped cure his uncle of a grave illness. The basilica is visited by millions of people every year from all over the world.


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