The largest city in the world, with a population of 16.7 million, is set high in a Central American mountain valley. At 7,400 feet above sea level, Mexico's cultural, political, and economic capital is the longest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. Aztec ruins bridge across time to stand side by side with Colonial cathedrals and modern skyscrapers, bringing together the eons of change that developed this thriving metropolis. At the peak of its Aztec rule in 1500AD, the city then known as Tenochtitlan was more advanced than Venice, its contemporary European rival. Spanish conquistadores discovered a complex and regal society thriving amidst broad avenues, sacred temples, public buildings, dozens of bridges, and many bustling marketplaces.

Modern Mexico City is a sprawling behemoth whose sheer size and vivacious spirit can dizzy the newcomer. Flowers sellers tote their colorful baskets around the streets, all kinds of vendors peddle their goods everywhere you turn, and street performers sing, dance, play, juggle, swallow fire, or whatever will get some applause and a few pesos. Daytime activity is nearly manic, but nights and Sundays bring a slower pace. People stroll through parks like Alameda, with its fountains and luxurious stretches of green, along the avenues like the romantic Paseo de la Reforma, lined with palm trees, flowers, and monuments rivaling the Champs-Elysees, and shop in the many open-air markets. When you've had your fill of the city, short trips in every direction lead you to towering pyramids, Colonial towns, tropical coast towns, and even to Native American villages!