Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco
Built in the 16th century by the Spanish on the
ruins of Tenochtitlan, the old Aztec capital, Mexico City is now one of
the world's largest and most densely populated cities. It has five Aztec
temples, the ruins of which have been identified, a cathedral (the
largest on the continent) and some fine 19th- and 20th-century public
buildings such as the Palacio de las Bellas Artes. Xochimilco lies 28 km
south of Mexico City. With its network of canals and artificial
islands, it testifies to the efforts of the Aztec people to build a
habitat in the midst of an unfavourable environment. Its characteristic
urban and rural structures, built since the 16th century and during the
colonial period; have been preserved in an exceptional manner.