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Discover the Magic: Top 11 Fun Facts About Mexico City You Never Knew!

illustration of mexico-city
Get ready to be amazed as we dive into the vibrant world of Mexico City and uncover some truly fascinating, lesser-known tidbits about this bustling metropolis!

1. Sinking City

Hold onto your sombrero because this fact may tilt your world: Mexico City is sinking by 1 meter (3.2 feet) annually due to an insatiable thirst! Its 21 million population consumes almost 287 billion gallons of water each year, causing the city's land to sink over 32 feet in the past 60 years and misaligning buildings. The ever-increasing water demand is wiping out the water table, putting almost two-thirds of the world's population, nearly 4 billion people, at risk according to a NASA study. Next time you're in the city, don't forget your rain boots and a spirit level!
Source => ecowatch.com

2. Doll Island Nightmares

If Chucky were to host a tea party for his fellow dolls, the Island of the Dolls in Mexico City's Xochimico canals would surely top his list for venue options: This spine-chilling spot, dotted with dismembered and decaying dolls hanging from trees, is believed to be haunted by the spirits of dead girls. The island's caretaker, Julian Santana Barrera, initiated this creepy collection after discovering a drowned girl's doll, and even after his death in 2001, tourists continue to contribute to the eerie ensemble by bringing more dolls to this unsettling destination.
Source => isladelasmunecas.com

3. Salsa Taxis

In Mexico City, it's always a fiesta on the streets thanks to their taxis looking like they've been dressed up for a salsa night: all official taxicabs are legally required to be 4-door red cars with white roofs, a change from the bygone era of green Volkswagen Beetles with similar headgear. Beware of a few sneaky yellow taxis that have infiltrated the party and are run by private companies, and don't get lured by the illegal "pirata" taxis that dance to the beat of their own drum, lacking the necessary license plate and markings.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Holy Sightseeing Trio

Holy guacamole, Batman! We've stumbled upon a divine dcoupage in Mexico City - a basilica, an Aztec sighting, and pyramids, oh my!: Mexico City's Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is not only a major Catholic pilgrimage site, but also honors an otherworldly encounter between the Virgin Mary and an Aztec peasant named Juan Diego. Plus, visitors can embark on a full-day tour to explore the ancient Teotihuacan pyramids and Tlatelolco's Plaza de las Tres Culturas, adding even more sacred spice to the trip.
Source => getyourguide.com

Heartbroken Mariachi Beats

5. Heartbroken Mariachi Beats

If you've ever found yourself drowning your sorrows in heartbreak while tapping your feet to the rhythm of trumpets and violins, you've probably been caught in the sweet, sweet embrace of Mariachi music: Hailing from Mexico City, this popular genre traces its roots back to the 18th century, and is characterized by its spirited blend of trumpets, violins, bass guitars, and strong vocals, typically regaling tales of traditional Mexican values set to a toe-tapping beat. Vicente Fernández, a living legend in the world of Mariachi, boasts some impressive numbers – such as 1.9M monthly listeners on Pandora and 4M followers on other platforms – proving that sometimes, you can be both heartbroken and high-spirited!
Source => blog.chartmetric.com

6. Monarch's Mile-Long Catwalk

Did you hear about the time Emperor Maximilian I commissioned a mile-long catwalk for Mexican monarchs? The Paseo de la Reforma wasn't always a promenade for protestors and parades: originally, it was designed to link the National Palace with Chapultepec Castle, serving as a royal passageway under the Second Mexican Empire. Today, this iconic avenue boasts some of Mexico City's tallest buildings, luxury establishments, and remains a hub for cultural and political events.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Floating Mariachi Fiesta

Where else but in Mexico City can you hop aboard a brightly painted boat named Viva Lupita and float your way to a mariachi serenade amongst corn on the cob sellers and flower peddlers? Xochimilco's got it all: Located 17 miles south of Mexico City, Xochimilco is home to a UNESCO World Heritage site maze of canals filled with trajinera boats that hold up to 20 people and still function as transportation for the area’s unique floating gardens, known as chinampas.
Source => bucketlistjourney.net

8. Supernatural Subway Guardian

Talk about the "Guardians of the Galaxy" going all supernatural: The Tasqueña Station in Mexico City is home to a helpful ghost who keeps a watchful eye on solo passengers, ensuring they're safe from any potential evildoers. Legend has it that this protector spirit is actually an old man who met his fate through a terrible assault, and now spends his afterlife making sure others don't suffer the same fate.
Source => traveltriangle.com

9. Vice at La Merced Market

If you're ready to market till you drop with a side of vice, look no further than La Merced: Mexico City's largest traditional retail market that's got everything from tacos to trinkets, and holds an unsavory secret as a hub for prostitution in its tolerance zone.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Holy Theme Park Record

10. Holy Theme Park Record

Move over, Disneyland! There's a new crowd-puller in town that's got pilgrims flocking in like it’s a holy theme park: The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City is the most visited Marian shrine globally, with a whopping nine million devotees gathering around December 12th each year, and leaving other well-known sanctuaries green with divine envy.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

11. Chapultepec: Castle vs. Central Park

Before the Casas of Cards were built, the Chapultepec Castle stood still: Originally constructed in the 18th century, Mexico City's own Chapultepec Castle once served as the residence for Mexican presidents and now houses the Museo Nacional de Historia, while the park's Gandhi Circuit delights joggers and walkers alike. However, contrary to popular exaggeration, Bosque de Chapultepec isn't quite double the size of New York City's Central Park.
Source => hotels.com

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