In the late 1960s, Mexico City was immersed in a cultural renaissance. The city's art, music, performers, and cuisine were drawing world attention, and tourism -- especially from the U.S. -- was at an all-time high, mainly as a result of it being a destination of choice for Hollywood stars. The city boasted large Spanish imperial buildings on grand boulevards and was spreading into a sprawl of outlying suburbs as immigrants from rural areas flooded into the capital. Until now, the large population of over seven million people had used trams and buses to get around the city, but the late 1960s saw the construction of the first line of the Metro subway system. This seemingly golden time in Mexico City's history was actually a dark period politically with an oppressive government that banned rock concerts and public gatherings, plus notoriously "disappeared" hundreds of opponents. 1968 was marred by a student uprising a matter of days before the Olympic opening ceremony that saw students demanding an end to oppression and one-party rule. It ended with with a massacre that saw dozens killed by the military and hundreds more injured.
Mexico City Now
Mexico City has the dubious reputation of being one of the world's most polluted capitals but it is trying to change that image and plan for a greener and healthier future. Rooftop gardens are being planted on public buildings as part of a program to combat global warming, with the city offering tax breaks for businesses or individuals that do so. With a population over 20 million people, it is now the second most populated city on the planet. It is a cosmopolitan and modern city with a historic center, substantial parks and a combination of colonial buildings, archaeological sites and skyscrapers set out on a large grid that extends into a labyrinth of suburbs. It is very much a cultural center, known as the museum capital of the world and boasting a huge number of theaters for dramatic arts, ballet, and opera. It is a not a city you want to drive in, but luckily its subway system is extensive and very affordable.
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