Mexico City - the longest city in the world

On the globe there are countless diverse megacities, cities and towns. Each of them is famous for something and gives the right to its inhabitants to be proud of it. Today we will talk about what is the longest city in the world. What else is famous for this metropolis and what is interesting there?

What a city

As one can learn from various ratings, the name of the longest city in the world is Mexico City. It is the capital of the United Mexican States, a state located in North America. Mexico City is the longest city in the world in length. From edge to edge, its length is more than two hundred kilometers. However, this is not his only title. In addition, Mexico City is considered the most high-ranking city on the North American continent. Its height is 2235 meters above sea level. Mexico City is one of the largest and oldest cities in the world.

Historical reference

This is the longest city in the world its name was not immediately obtained. The city was founded in 1325 and was called Tenochtitlan. This name was given to the Aztec settlement, which also built the city. In Aztec, the word means "house of thorny cacti". To appear in these places they were commanded by the sun god named Huitzilopochtli. He told the Aztecs to settle in a place where they would see an eagle with a snake in its beak that sank into a huge cactus. It was in these lands, on the western shore of the deciduous Lake Texcoco, that the Indians really saw the predicted picture and founded their city.

Apparently, the sun god continued to help the Aztecs, after all, in just two centuries the population of Tenochtitlan had already passed for half a million people. The city was very beautiful. Due to the fact that it was located on the lake, its entire territory consisted of canals, elevated bridges and intricate streets.

The conquistadors, who arrived in these parts from Spain, were simply amazed by what they saw. They called Tenochtitlan the second Venice. The Aztecs did not feel the threat emanating from the white people. Moreover, they took their leader, Fernando Cortes, for God. An ancient legend said that it was at this time that the great god Quetzalcoatl would come, who would lead the Aztecs to a better life.

But everything turned out to be quite different. Under the leadership of Cortes, the Spaniards destroyed the great Tenochtitlan and in 1521 declared its territory a Spanish city, the capital of New Spain. The city was named Mehitli, in honor of the name of the Aztec god of war.

Geography

Today, the longest city in the world is almost in the center of Mexico. On all sides it is surrounded by mountains.

Since the air in Mexico City is very polluted, a dense cloud of smog almost always hangs over it, but the sky above it remains high and bright blue, especially in summer.

Mexico City - the territory is seismic-resistant. Practically throughout the year, small tremors are registered here. Residents, however, do not react to them - they are used to it. There are sometimes major earthquakes. The largest of them was recorded in 1985. As a result of this catastrophe, more than 10 thousand people died, and a television tower about 100 meters high collapsed.

In Mexico City there are often dust storms, but the weather is warm. This is not surprising, because it is formed under the influence of a subtropical climate. In January, the average ambient air temperature is about +12 ° C, and in July it rises to +17 ° C. The vegetative world of the city is represented by a variety of palm trees, pines, firs and oaks. You can find here and olive trees, brought to these places by the Spaniards and subsequently degenerated and feral.

Population

The longest city in the world is inhabited very, very densely and occupies the second place in the world, yielding the palm of primacy only to Tokyo. Of course, it is difficult to accurately calculate the population in such a metropolis, but scientists give approximate results.

According to experts, Mexico City is home to over 20 million people, which is much more than, for example, in Moscow, which is also considered too overpopulated.

Culture

Although Mexico City is the longest city in the world, it is not only famous for it. There are a lot of museums here. By the way, most of them are free for visitors on weekends.

The number of available theaters Mexico City takes the honorable fourth place. He concedes in this matter only to New York, London and Toronto. Also there are more than 30 concert halls and about a hundred different galleries.

This city also boasts what is the location of the largest amusement park in the whole of Latin America. This is the unique Six Flags Mexico.

And the famous Zócalo Square every winter turns into a huge ice rink, occupying one of the leading positions in the world.

Sinking city

Few people know, but the longest city in the world is gradually drowning, although it is not in the open ocean or the sea. The fact is that Mexico is located not only on the site of the former Tenochtitlan, but also in a giant bowl of drained Lake Texcoco. This creates a lot of problems. During the drought, from November to April, there is hardly any water (rain) here. Residents have to pump water from very remote areas. But in the rainy season - all the way around. The city simply pours water, and the pumps are forced to work in the opposite direction.

However, this is not all trouble. Since the land on which the city stands consists of several aquifers, then as the water pumped out, the city slowly sinks into the emptying voids. Movement occurs approximately 25 cm per year, but it is uneven. Those designs that rest on deep piles, remain in place. The streets "drown" so quickly that one or two steps must be completed each year to the stairs leading to the porch.