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Latin American Holidays
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A Guide to holidays in Latin America
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| Mexico City is build on top of the ruins of the Axtec capital of Tenochtitlan, and many of the ancient structures from the original city still exist.
The greater Mexico City metropolitan area is one of the world's largest and most populated, with an estimate of about 20 million people living in the region. It is located at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters and shaped roughly like an oval of about 60 by 40 kilometers. It is built on the dry bed of lake Texcoco, and surrounded on three sides by tall mountains and volcanoes. The origins of Mexico City date back to 1325, when the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan was founded and later destroyed in 1521 by Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortez. Mexico City is build on top of the ruins of Tenochtitlan, and many of the ancient structures from the original city still exist. At its height, the city of Tenochtitlan was home to almost 250,000 people, and covered thirteen square kilometers. When you visit the ruins, there are two structures which will immediately capture your attention - the Great Temple and the House of the Eagles. Tlatelolco, also located in Mexico City, is a district which was once an independent Aztec city, but eventually became part of Tenochtitlan as the capital expanded. The ruins here are now on the Plaza de las Tres Culturas, and contain the remains of several Aztec structures, including a pyramid and a temple. Visitors to Mexico City will find a cosmopolitan city struggling with the effects of expansion and growth. That said, tourists will still find a pleasant, enjoyable and historic city lying beneath the surface. There are more than 150 museums, many parks, squares, shops and restaurants. Also there is a wild night life with pubs, bars and discos. With warm climate year-round, Mexico City is a popular destination for visitors from all over the world. After a warmer spring, summer is typically rainy especially in the late afternoon, followed by a drier and slightly cooler autumn. Fewer people visit in the winter, when things cool off, and spring, when temperatures peak.
Map of Mexico
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