Mexico City, a sprawling metropolis, is not only the capital of Mexico but also a place deeply intertwined with the nation’s history and identity. Often referred to as Distrito Federal Mexico or Mexico D.F., this area has been a central stage for pivotal moments from ancient civilizations to modern-day developments. Understanding the significance of Distrito Federal Mexico requires delving into its rich past, exploring its evolution from the heart of the Aztec empire to the vibrant urban center it is today. This article will explore the historical journey of Distrito Federal Mexico, highlighting its key transformations and enduring importance.
The area now known as Distrito Federal Mexico has been inhabited for millennia. Long before the arrival of Europeans, the Valley of Mexico was home to various indigenous groups. Between 100 and 900 A.D., tribes related to the Toltecs, who established their influential city of Tula around 850 A.D. in present-day Hidalgo, thrived in this region. As the Toltec power waned, other cultures like the Acolhua, Chichimeca, and Tepaneca rose to prominence, setting the stage for the emergence of one of history’s most remarkable civilizations.
In 1325 A.D., the Mexica people founded Tenochtitlán, a city that would become the heart of their vast empire and the precursor to modern Distrito Federal Mexico. Legend recounts that the Mexicas were guided by a prophecy: their god would reveal the location for their great city through a sign – an eagle devouring a snake while perched on a cactus. Upon witnessing this vision on an island in Lake Texcoco, they commenced building Tenochtitlán.
Initially a small natural island in Lake Texcoco, the Aztecs, known for their fierce warrior culture, expanded it manually, transforming it into the magnificent city of Tenochtitlán. This city became the cornerstone of their civilization, which grew into the most powerful and extensive empire in pre-Columbian America. Their military prowess allowed them to dominate Mesoamerica, forging alliances and, inevitably, creating enemies amongst other tribes.
The arrival of Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés in 1519 marked a turning point in the history of Distrito Federal Mexico. Many local chieftains, seeking liberation from Aztec rule, saw an opportunity in Cortés’s arrival and joined his forces. When Cortés reached the Aztec capital, Emperor Moctezuma II, influenced by prophecies, believed the Spaniard might be related to the god Quetzalcóatl. Hoping to appease the newcomers and prevent conflict, Moctezuma offered gifts. However, Cortés, undeterred, marched his army into Tenochtitlán.
Moctezuma, wishing to avoid offending a potential deity, welcomed Cortés and his men into the city, extending hospitality. Yet, after weeks of enjoying their welcome, Cortés betrayed this trust by placing Moctezuma under house arrest, aiming to control the Aztecs through their emperor. Moctezuma, in captivity, attempted to placate the Spanish, but in doing so, lost the respect of his people. In 1521, Cortés and his forces conquered Tenochtitlán, effectively ending Aztec rule. On the ruins of this once-great city, the Spanish began to construct Mexico City, which would become the central hub of colonial New Spain and, eventually, Distrito Federal Mexico.
During the colonial period (1535-1821), Mexico City, situated within the Distrito Federal Mexico region as it would later be known, rose to prominence as one of the most significant cities in the Americas. While Spanish dominance was evident, with native Indians requiring work permits to enter the city, interaction between populations led to the emergence of the Mestizo class – individuals of mixed European and indigenous ancestry. This group gradually grew into a significant political force. The 16th and 17th centuries saw the establishment of a rigid caste system in Mexico City, categorizing the population into complex ethnic divisions, including Mestizos, Criollos (Spaniards born in the Americas), and Coyotes (mixed Mestizo and indigenous descent). The Catholic Church wielded substantial influence, with religious orders like Franciscans, Marists, and Jesuits establishing numerous convents and missions throughout the region.
The Spanish Crown’s authority in New Spain depended on the allegiance of the local aristocracy. Political power remained largely in the hands of Spaniards born in Spain. However, by the 18th century, the Criollo class had grown in number and influence. The struggle for recognition and power among these different social strata exposed political corruption and fueled the burgeoning independence movement.
The fight for Mexican independence was ignited by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest, who issued the Grito de Dolores in Dolores, Hidalgo, in 1810. Hidalgo had been involved in meetings with educated Criollos advocating for a large-scale revolt of mestizos and indigenous peasants. Dissatisfaction with Spanish rule was widespread. Fearing Spanish military intervention, Hidalgo decided to take action. On September 16, 1810, parishioners attending Sunday mass were met not with a sermon but with a call to arms.
This grassroots rebellion rapidly gained momentum, leading to the formation of revolutionary armies under leaders such as Guadalupe Victoria and Vicente Guerrero. The War of Independence lasted for 11 years. Finally, in 1821, Juan O’Donoju, the last Viceroy of New Spain, signed the Plan of Iguala, officially granting Mexico its independence. This marked a significant shift for Mexico City and the region that would formally become Distrito Federal Mexico.
The Distrito Federal Mexico (Federal District) was officially created in 1824, encompassing Mexico City and several surrounding municipalities. As Mexico City expanded, it effectively absorbed these municipalities into one large urban sprawl. By 1928, all municipalities within the Distrito Federal, except Mexico City itself, were abolished, making Mexico City and Distrito Federal Mexico virtually synonymous in common usage. This was formally recognized in 1993 when Article 44 of the Mexican Constitution officially declared Mexico City and the Distrito Federal to be a single entity.
In 1846, after a period of relative peace, Mexico City was invaded by the United States during the Mexican-American War. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which concluded the war in 1848, forced Mexico to cede a vast territory in the north to the United States. This territory now comprises the U.S. states of New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, California, and parts of Utah and Wyoming. Mexico was also compelled to recognize the independence of Texas.
On July 17, 1861, Mexican President Benito Juárez suspended interest payments to Spain, France, and Britain, triggering a joint military intervention in Veracruz in January 1862. While Britain and Spain later withdrew, France seized the opportunity to exert control over Mexico. Supported by Mexican conservatives and French Emperor Napoleon III, Maximiliano de Hamburgo arrived in 1864 to rule Mexico. Despite his surprisingly liberal policies, he lost Mexican support and was assassinated on June 19, 1867, paving the way for Benito Juárez’s liberal government to regain power.
On November 29, 1876, Porfirio Díaz seized the presidency. After an initial term and the corrupt presidency of his hand-picked successor, Manuel González, Díaz returned to power and amended the constitution to permit two terms and unlimited re-elections. Through manipulation, violence, electoral fraud, and repression, Díaz maintained power for 36 years.
By 1910, public discontent with Díaz’s autocratic rule and disregard for minority rights reached a breaking point. On November 20, 1910, Francisco Madero issued the Plan de San Luis Potosí, declaring Díaz’s regime illegitimate and initiating the Mexican Revolution. Forces led by Francisco Villa, Emiliano Zapata, and Venustiano Carranza supported Madero, and Díaz reluctantly resigned in 1911. Political instability and power struggles continued for a decade until the Partido Nacional Revolucionario (later PRI) was established, ushering in a period of stability for Distrito Federal Mexico and the rest of the country that lasted until 2000.
Today, Mexico City, effectively Distrito Federal Mexico, stands as the political, economic, and social heart of Mexico and the largest metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere. Its nominal GDP per capita is the highest in Latin America, although wealth distribution remains uneven, with a significant portion of residents living in poverty.
Labor unions, particularly for taxi drivers, telephone workers, and electrical workers, are powerful in Mexico City. While historically linked to the PRI, some unions have shifted their allegiance towards the Partido de la Revolución Democrática (PRD), which has governed the city since 1997.
Mexico City boasts diverse and renowned neighborhoods. Coyoacán, known for its artistic atmosphere and the Frida Kahlo Museum; Santa Fe, an upscale area including Bosques de las Lomas; Xochimilco, “Mexico’s Little Venice”; and Polanco, an elegant district, are just a few examples of the city’s multifaceted character within Distrito Federal Mexico.
Historic District
The main square of Mexico City, Plaza de la Constitución, also known as El Zócalo, is a central landmark of Distrito Federal Mexico. The Catedral Metropolitana, located on the north side of El Zócalo, is one of the largest cathedrals in the Western Hemisphere. Built in the Spanish Baroque style, it features neoclassical towers housing 18 bells.
The Templo Mayor, or Great Pyramid, was the primary temple in Aztec Tenochtitlán, now part of Distrito Federal Mexico. Though largely destroyed by Hernán Cortés in 1521, portions have been excavated and restored for public viewing.
Castle of Chapultepec
Castillo de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Castle) sits atop Chapultepec Hill in Chapultepec Park, rising above sea level. It has served as a military academy, imperial and presidential residence, observatory, and museum. The only castle in North America once inhabited by sovereigns, it now houses the Mexican National Museum of History, a treasure within Distrito Federal Mexico.
Xochimilco
Xochimilco, often called “Mexico’s Little Venice,” is famous for its canal system, remnants of ancient Lake Xochimilco. Colorful trajineras (Xochimilco boats) adorned with flowers navigate these canals, contributing to its romantic reputation, popularized by the 1940 film Maria Candelaria. This unique area remains a popular attraction within Distrito Federal Mexico.
Museums & Art
Mexico City offers a vast array of museums, including the National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec Park. This museum holds significant anthropological artifacts, such as the Stone of the Sun (Aztec Calendar) and the 16th-century Aztec statue of Xochipilli. The Museo Rufino Tamayo, built in the 17th century, showcases pre-Columbian art donated by Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo, adding to the rich cultural landscape of Distrito Federal Mexico.
Fun Facts
- Mexico City’s seal depicts a castle representing its heritage, flanked by lions symbolizing Spanish imperial forces, standing on bridges over the lagoon upon which the city was built. Cactus leaves, representing the surrounding cactus fields, encircle the seal, a symbol of Distrito Federal Mexico.
- In 2005, Greater Mexico City, or Distrito Federal Mexico, had a population of 19.2 million, making it the largest metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest globally after Tokyo.
- During the Aztec period, Mexico City (Mexico-Tenochtitlán), in what is now Distrito Federal Mexico, was built on Lake Texcoco. The Aztecs created an artificial island by depositing soil into the lagoon. Today, the Metropolitan Cathedral is sinking due to the soft ground.
- Mexico City’s metro system, Sistema de Transporte Colectivo Metro, opened in 1969, and the city is expanding its suburban rail network, serving the vast Distrito Federal Mexico area.
- The Hoy No Circula program restricts vehicle usage based on license plate numbers to reduce pollution and traffic, although some residents circumvent this by owning multiple vehicles in Distrito Federal Mexico.
- The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), founded in 1551, is located in Mexico City. It is one of Mexico’s oldest, most prestigious, and largest public universities in Distrito Federal Mexico.
- The Zócalo in Mexico City, the heart of Distrito Federal Mexico, is Latin America’s largest main square, featuring the Mexican flag, the Cathedral, the National Palace, and local government offices.
- Xochimilco, within Distrito Federal Mexico, known as Little Venice, offers canal boat rides through floating gardens, a unique cultural and historical experience.
