• Is Mexico City really the biggest city in the world ?

It´s difficult to know for sure. Statistics vary from country to country as to how exactly the metropolitan area should be measured. There is certainly no doubt, however, that it is a huge city. It has a diameter of 40 kilometers and it takes over an hour to cross from one side to the other. Many of the hills which surround the valley -in itself of huge proportions- are covered with houses, and the city grows continuously, despite the frequent census which would seem to indicate otherwise.

World´s greatest cities, 1995

	City	Country	Population (millions)
1	Tokyo	Japan	26.8
2	Sao Paulo	Brazil	16.4
3	New York	USA	16.3
4	Mexico City	Mexico	15.6
5	Bombay	India	15.1
6	Shangai	China	15.1
7	Los Angeles	USA	12.4
8	Beijing	China	12.4
9	Calcuta	India	11.7
10	Seoul	South Korea	11.6

World´s greatest cities, 2015

	City	Country	Population (millions)
1	Tokyo	Japan	28.7
2	Bombay	India	27.4
3	Lagos	Nigera	24.4
4	Shanghai	China	23.4
5	Jakarta	Indonesia	21.2
6	Sao Paulo	Brazil	20.8
7	Karachi	Pakistán	20.6
8	Beijing	China	19.4
9	Dakha	Bangladesh	19.0
10	Mexico City	Mexico	18.8

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• How serious is the pollution in Mexico City ?

It is serious but, fortunately, decreasing. During two thirds of the year the pollution index exceeds the limits proposed by international organizations. Notwithstanding, these levels have been reduced year after year thanks to the measures taken by the government, although certain specialists still consider these to be insufficient. It should be noted that the effects of this pollution are not normally felt during a visit of a few days; in fact, sporting events are frequently held in the City with no noticeable effects for the participants.

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• Why visit Mexico City ?

During the 16th Century, as Tenochtitlan, Mexico City witnessed the encounter between two of the most highly developed civilizations of the time, both profoundly different and equally unique empires which, amazingly, had had no previous contact.

Monumental vestiges of the culture which flourished here before the Spanish Conquest, after which the merger between these two mighty civilizations occurred, are still to be seen in the City. Suffice to mention just a few sites that are today world famous: the Templo Mayor, The Museum of Anthropology, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Teotihuacan. . .

The cultural wealth of Mexico City is not merely limited to its ancient buildings and museums; it can be seen and felt in its streets, in its celebrations, in its works of art. In short, in every aspect of life in the City.

Mexican popular art and cuisine have gained a justified place of honor around the world and there is no better place than Mexico City to experience them.

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• How do you get to Mexico City ?

Mexico City lies almost at the geographical center of the country, due south of the United States, with which it shares a common border of many thousands of kilometers.

The approximate distances from selected cities are:

	Kilometers
Acapulco, Gro.	388
Cancún, Q.R.	1 651
Cd. Cuauhtémoc, Chis.1	1 231
Cd. Juárez, Chih.2	1 840
Cuernavaca, Mor.	89
Chetumal, Q.R.	1 360
Ensenada, B.C.	2 900
Gudalajara, Jal.	546
Guanajuato, Gto.	365
Merida, Yuc.	1 332
Mexicali, B.C.2	2 644
Morelia, Mich.	302
Monterrey, N.L.	925
Nogales, Son.	2 333
Nuevo Laredo, Tamps.2	1 149
Oaxaca, Oax.	454
Puebla, Pue.	123
Reynosa, Tamps,	1 018
San Luis Potosí, S.L.P.	423
Tijuana, B.C.	2 814
Veracruz, Ver.	418

1. Frontier with Guatemala.
2. Frontier with USA.

Overland access is also possible via modern highways.

Distances from some cities are:

	Miles
Nueva York	2090
Los Angeles	1550
Toronto	2030
Vancouver	2450
Bogota	1970
Buenos Aires	4590
Sao Paulo	4620
Santiago	4100
Madrid	5630
Londres	5550
Paris	5720
Roma	6370

The major international airlines offer non-stop or connecting flights to Mexico City from virtually every large city in the world. Prices of trip tickets are:

	US dollars
Hong Kong	1010
Tokio	850
Los Angeles	250
Nueva York	450
Madrid	850
París	850

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• What does Mexico City offer out of the ordinary ?

1. One of the most visited scientific museums in the world - the Papalote children´s museum.
2. Broadway stage productions presented in Spanish with quality and style comparable to the original New York shows.
3. An intense night life, with shows and restaurants equal to those found in any great metropolis around the world.

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• How much does it cost to visit or to live in Mexico City ?

Among the world´s greatest cities, Mexico City is one of the cheapest: comparable prices are far less than those to be found in New York or Tokyo, and are even more accessible than those in Lima or Buenos Aires.

Concept	US dollars
Lodging1
Hotel ***	75
Hotel ****	100
Hotel *****	150
Feeding2
Breakfast	5
Lunch	20
Dinner	25
Transport
Taxi cab (10 km)	2,50
Bus	0,25
Metro	0,20

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• Is the Popocatepetl volcano a danger to Mexico City ?

The distance between the volcano and the City is sufficient to preclude any chance of volcanic activity affecting it, unless an enormous eruption were to occur. This is highly unlikely, especially when we take into account that recent plumes of steam and ash from the volcano have found harmless outlets.

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• Is the Mexico City airport a hassle ?

The airport is of a larger size and handles a smaller amount of traffic than those in other major cities around the world. The terminal design and adequate sign-posting ensure that all procedures run smoothly.

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• Is it difficult to move around in the City ?

The enormous size of the City and some not-so-clear traffic signs
can make it difficult at times to move about the City (even for the Cityís permanent residents). Consequently, it is advisable to use public taxis or the tourist services that are available at hotels (fare is 1.50 US dollars for 5 kilometers).

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• Why has Mexico City grown so much ?

Since its early beginnings Mexico has been a very centralized country. Economic, political, and social activities are concentrated in the City. This has encouraged, from Colonial times onwards, a constant immigration of people to the City in search of opportunity. Infrastructure was developed in response to this, including major lines of transport, all of which converge on Mexico City.

For a long time the City offered the only alternative in Mexico for a good education, adequate medical attention, a well-paid job with a future, or inevitable official paperwork. Although this situation is changing, as other regional cities grow and develop, Mexico City continues to attract new residents in addition to the millions who already live here.
The City´s favorable climate and the wealth of recreational offerings have also contributed to this growth.

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