MEXICO, D.F.
By Alejandro Devesa

Mexico City, capital of the United Mexican States, is often noted for its insecurity, chaotic traffic, many protests and Sunday bike rides, nevertheless from the point of view of The Traveler, we can appreciate an exceptional cultural richness - it would take a long time to explore all of the treasures this magnificent city, the world's largest after Tokyo, has to offer.
The stage of some of Mexican culture's most important scenes, the Federal District is also a place where cultural expressions of the different regional and ethnic groups that make up the nation can be found. In spite of being the largest urban environment in the country, these ancient cultural landmarks stand side by side with the many symbols of modernity.

It is worth noting that there are great number of theatres, and more museums than any other city in the world. The Federal District is the venue of many important national festivities ranging from the secular celebration of Independence Day in the Zócalo, to the religious festivities such as the representation of the Passion of the Christ in Ixtapalapa, the Day of the Dead in Mixquic, or the pilgrimages to the Basílica of Guadalupe. These are just a few of the festivities which take place in the city, where one can also find many parks, such as the very well-known Chapultepec Park, which is filled with historic buildings such as Chapultepec Castle, various pre-Hispanic ruins, as well as Los Pinos, the official residence of the President of Mexico. For this reason, it forms an important part of the landscape and history of Mexico City.
We can also find the Luis G. Urbina park, better known as “Parque Hundido” (“sunken park”) from the era of the “Porfiriato” which is characterized by its original positioning and its reproductions of archaeological pieces which are scattered in different areas of the park.
As far as gastronomy is concerned, we can find everything from the typical “antojitos mexicanos” in the markets, to the best national and international dishes of haute-cuisine. But we mustn't forget the taco stand. While it probably isn't a good idea to eat from the stands that offer 5 tacos for 12 pesos due to questions of hygiene, one should be able to find a favorite “puesto” and never pass through the Federal District without eating some street food.

The Historic Center of Mexico City was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. Its roots go back to before the arrival of the Europeans on this continent. It's the place where ancient Tenochtitlan was built, destroyed by the Spaniards, who then rebuilt it as the capital of New Spain. Since its origins, it has served as the source of the four main avenues of ancient Tenochtitlan, and still maintain their design and utility even as today's main thoroughfares. These four avenues are Tepeyac, which goes north, Tacubaya, which goes west, Ixtapalapa, which goes east, and Coyoacan, which heads south. In the center of the city, one can find different museums such as the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso, which was one of the most important educational institutions of the capital of New Spain, and which now houses exhibitions of both Mexican and foreign artists. There is also the museum of Jose Luis Cuevas, the museum of Estanquillo and of course, the National Institute Fine Arts, in which can be found murals by famous muralists such as Rivera, Orozco and Siquieros, and which is also used for exhibitions and concerts of diverse, internationally-renowned artists.

One of the best ways to take a tour of the city is to use the Metro, which will help you navigate the city in a quick, easy way, avoiding the unfortunate chaotic traffic. All this for just 2 pesos. And so we could continue, talking of the many places to visit in the “Gran Tenoch”, passing through the Bohemian atmosphere of Coyoacan to visit Frida Kahlo's house and having a delicious coffee at La Casa del Pan, or visiting Polanco, which is one of the most exclusive areas, competing with such great cities as Paris and New York, or simply taking a turn, driving through La Condesa to spend an agreeable afternoon in Parque España. But rather than just talk, let's plan our next visit and experience it ourselves.