Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Capital City

Mexico City

Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico and one of the most populous urban areas in North America.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and one of the most populous urban areas in North America. It sits on the site of the historic Aztec capital Tenochtitlán.

What it is

Mexico City is the capital of Mexico and a federal entity. Its official Spanish name is Ciudad de México. The city proper had 9,209,944 residents in the 2020 census and covers 1,495 square kilometres in the Valley of Mexico at an elevation of about 2,240 metres.

Why it matters

Mexico City is a major political, cultural, educational, and financial centre in North America. For Canadian readers, it is a key destination for travel, business, diplomacy, and cultural exchange, and one of the continent’s largest metropolitan centres.

Key details

The city traces its origin to Tenochtitlán, founded by the Mexica in 1325. After the Spanish conquest, it became the centre of New Spain and later the capital of independent Mexico. It is also historically referred to as the Federal District.

In short

  • Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico.
  • It had 9,209,944 residents in the 2020 census.
  • The city is built on the site of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán.
  • It is a major North American centre for culture and finance.
Canadian angle

Mexico City is relevant to Canadian readers as a major North American capital, a frequent destination for travel, business, diplomacy, and cultural exchange, and one of the continent’s largest metropolitan centres.

Quick questions

What is Mexico City?
Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and one of the most populous cities in North America.
What is the official name of Mexico City?
The official Spanish name is Ciudad de México.
When was Mexico City founded?
Its origin is usually dated to 1325, when the Mexica founded Tenochtitlán on the site.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Mexico-City
    Supports: Capital status, official naming, metropolitan context, and general importance.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico_City
    Supports: Population, area, world-city classification, and city overview.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Mexico-City
    Supports: Elevation, relationship to the Federal District, and broad historical/economic context.
  4. Wikipedia — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciudad_de_M%C3%A9xico
    Supports: Territorial area, 2020 population, and metropolitan context.
  5. Government of Mexico City — https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/e/about/about-mexico-city/
    Supports: Official name and capital-city status.