Mexico City: Geography, History, and Culture

Discover Mexico City, one of the world’s most populous urban centers. Twelve narrative chapters discuss such topics as Mexico City’s history, politics, economy, culture and lifestyle, and possible future. Augmenting the main text, ＂Life in the City＂ interviews showcase the experiences of everyday people who have lived in, traveled to, or were born in Mexico City. Sidebars featuring interesting facts about the city and a detailed timeline of the city’s history are also included.

Located in the middle of the Western Hemisphere and having a history that dates back to the early 14th century, Mexico City is perhaps the place where the collision between the European colonizers and indigenous American peoples was most violent and where the legacy of this encounter has been the most pronounced. Over more than 500 years, Mexico City has navigated the complexities and issues of this civilizational clash in ways that have made the city a vanguard. This book examines the rich, complex, and often troubled history of this city and highlights the political, economic, cultural, and artistic contributions that this dynamic place has made.

James D. Huck Jr., PhD, is administrative associate professor and assistant director/graduate adviser in the Stone Center for Latin American studies at Tulane University.