Mexicocapital

Mexico (capital), the capital of the federal republic, is situated at a height of more than 7,000 feet above the sea-level, some 200 miles from Vera Cruz, in Campeachy Bay. It was founded by the Aztecs about 1325 in a district which was then covered with lakes. The chief building is now the cathedral, begun by the Spaniards in 1573 and completed at immense cost 80 years later. It contains the famous calendar stone. Beautiful paved roads, with double rows of trees, leading into the country on every side, form a picturesque feature of the place, which would be very unhealthy but for the dryness of the atmosphere. Many attempts have been made to drain the valley; the last, begun by English enterprise in 1890, has promise of success. The trade of the city is as yet not very important.