North America Capitals Quiz
Try a short quiz about capitals across North America and the Caribbean.
🇲🇽 Mexico
Capital: Mexico City
Mexico City – The City of Palaces.
Mexico City, historically associated with the name La Ciudad de los Palacios (“The City of Palaces”), is Mexico’s capital and political, economic, and cultural center. The modern city developed on the site of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Mexica (Aztec) Empire, which fell to Spanish forces in 1521. Its historic center preserves layers of pre-Hispanic, colonial, and later Mexican history, while the wider capital is one of the largest urban areas in the Americas.
📜 Timeline of Mexico City
1325: Tenochtitlan is traditionally dated to this year, when the Mexica established their island settlement in Lake Texcoco.
1521: Tenochtitlan falls after the Spanish siege. Colonial Mexico City is subsequently developed on and around the former Mexica capital.
1824: After Mexican independence, Congress establishes a Federal District centered on Mexico City as the seat of the federal government.
1987: The Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
2016: Constitutional changes replace the former Federal District designation with Mexico City (Ciudad de México, or CDMX) as a federal entity with greater local autonomy.
Today: Mexico City remains the seat of Mexico’s federal government and a major center for museums, universities, business, arts, transportation, and cultural institutions.
📊 City Stats
Tenochtitlan Founded
Traditionally dated to 1325
Federal Capital
Federal District established in 1824
Primary Language
Spanish
Currency
Mexican Peso (MXN)
Geography
Valley of Mexico, a high-altitude basin surrounded by mountains and volcanic terrain
Time Zone
Central Standard Time (CST), UTC−6; no daylight saving time
Calling Code
+52 country code; 55 area code
Driving Side
Right-hand traffic
🏛️ Iconic Landmarks
Zócalo
The city’s main square, formally named Plaza de la Constitución, is bordered by major landmarks including the Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace.
Chapultepec Park
A large urban park containing museums, Chapultepec Castle, a zoo, lakes, monuments, and extensive public green space.
Palacio de Bellas Artes
A major cultural venue used for opera, dance, music, exhibitions, and other performing and visual arts.
Mexico City combines the remains of Tenochtitlan, colonial-era streets and buildings, federal institutions, museums, parks, universities, and modern commercial districts within the Valley of Mexico. Its present urban landscape reflects centuries of development on the site of the former Mexica capital.
