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Travel guide to Mexico City

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Mexico City Facts:

At almost 8,000 feet above sea level, Mexico City is one of the highest cities in North America.

UNAM, the second university founded in America, opened its doors in Mexico City in 1551.

UNAM is the largest university in the world with semester enrollment approaching 300,000.

Several studies list UNAM as the top university in the entire Spanish-speaking world.

Mexico City is the second-largest city in the world, boasting a metropolitan area of 28,000,000.

Televisa, the largest television network in the world, is headquartered in Mexico City.

Carlos Slim, one of the richest men in the world and head of the communication giant Telmex, calls Mexico City home.


Myth Busters:

Mexico City is blazing hot.

That may ring true for some areas of Mexico, but you won't find it in Mexico City. Dropped into a mountainous volcanic region, Mexico City looms large at nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, which causes its average highs to fall between 66 and 77 degrees throughout the year (an added perk to living in a super-city).

People wear sombreros and ride donkeys to work.

Contrary to this interesting stereotype, you'll find the streets of Mexico City packed with millions of automobiles carrying businessmen, industry workers, small business owners, and students. Over four million people commute to work and school daily on a vast subway system. Mexico City is a hub of financial, commercial, and industrial activity, much like New York City.

The only nice places in Mexico are on the beach.

You'll find many beautiful and chic areas around Mexico City. Zona Rosa, Condesa, and Santa Fe boast well-developed commercial and business zones, while also providing beauty and a fun nightlife. Paseo de la Reforma, one of the world's greatest avenues, shoots an awe-inspiring 12-lane corridor through the heart of the city. Your hotel sits two blocks off this avenue. For those with finer tastes, you can head to Polanco and take a stroll down the palm-lined avenue Presidente Masaryk, very similar to Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive.

Mexicans are a little "behind the times".

50% of Mexicans have access to the internet, with virtually every household having a phone line. More than 58% of Mexicans carry a cell phone. The city alone boasts the third largest economy in Latin America, larger than most countries. The students here dress nicer than many Americans and enjoy connecting with friends through the most modern means of communication.

Mexico is one vast desert.

The city actually receives much rain (especially in the summer when rain falls nearly every day) to feed its lush parks and network of palm trees.

Mexico is extremely dirty.

You'll have trouble finding dirt roads in this city, although they do exist on the outskirts. Many Mexicans have hand-manicured lawns and trees, accenting wonderful Spanish architecture.

If you come to Mexico, you'll be instantly kidnapped.

Hollywood tells these stories best. Kidnappings do happen in Mexico, but unless you're the heir of a fortune or walk around in an Armani suit, you probably don't have much to worry about.

"Montezuma's Revenge" will surely get you!

Well, you do need to be careful about street food. If you don't see Mexicans eating there, that's a good indicator to stay away. All the restaurants, however, follow health codes that include providing customers with purified water. No need to worry.