1. La Ciudad de México

2. Background info Mexico City was once called Tenochtitlan. era la gran capital de los aztecas. It was founded1325. During this time it was the great capital of the Aztec Empire. It was destroyed in 1521, following the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. Today the ruins of Tenochtitlan are located in the central part of Mexico City.

3. La Ciudad de México Hoy It has a population of over 20 millon. The economy– financial center and tourism One of the biggest cities in the world.

4. Tourist Attractions Chapultepec Park – means “Grasshopper Hill” in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs La Basilica de Guadalupe – visited by many people each day, honors the virgin of Guadalupe El Paseo de la Reform – inspired by the Champs-Elysees in Paris, home to beautiful buildings, skyscrapers, monuments, museums and luxury hotels.

5. Tourist Attractions El Ángel – gift from the Spanish, Monument of Independence, built in 1910, located on the Paseo de la Reforma El Museo Nacional de Antropologia – musuem with displays of archeological collecctions, home to the Piedra del Sol

6. El Zócalo Nickname for the Plaza of the Constitution, considered the “heart” of the city Principle plaza in Mexico City It was the main ceremonial center in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan and from the colonial period on, the main plaza or square in the heart of the historic center of Mexico City. La Catedral Metropolitana and El Palacio Nacional, work place of the president, are located here Gathering place for celebrations on the eve of Independence Day (Sept. 15th)

7. La Ciudad de México – Las Celebraciones Quinceañera – 15th birthday celebration La Fiesta Guadalupana – December 12th a celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe who they believe united Mexican society, it is traditional to sign “Las Mañanitas” to the Virgin at midnight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFf5_XP-It8 La Independencia – September 16, 1810 La Feria de las Flores – Celebrated annually on the floating gardens, known as “chinampas”, of Xochimilco

8. La Ciudad de México – El Arte Frida Kahlo (1907 – 1954) – known for self portraits Diego Rivera (1886 – 1957) – known for murals Most famous mural: El Gran Tenochtitlan, painted on the wall of El Palacio Nacional

9. La Historia The Aztecs built many pyramids to honor their gods They had many gods, including Tláloc, god of water and rain and Huitzilopochtli, god of war Pyramids also functioned as astronomical observatories Moctezuma II came to power in 1502 and was emperor of the Aztecas when the Spaniard Hernán Cortés arrived to Tenochtitlan in 1519. Cortés conquered the city in 1521. The center of Mexico City is built on top of the pyramids and palaces of Moctezuma