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Mexico (City and capital)

a city and capital of the republic of Mexico, situated within the State of Mexico in the Federal District (463 square miles), about 7,400 feet above sea-level, near several lakes, and at about an equal distance from Vera Cruz on the Mexican Gulf, and Acapulco on the Pacific; is laid out with great regularity; principal public buildings the cathedral, one of the most sumptuous in America, about 500 feet in length, and 420 feet in width, forming one of the sides of the central square; palace of government; college of mines, a noble building, but now somewhat dilapidated; mint, with a front of 360 feet by by 250 in depth; town house, has university, etc.; numerous convents, hospitals, churches, theaters, etc.; manufactures of comparatively limited extent, and trade mostly in the hands of foreigners. Mexico has a mild climate, and a pure and healthy atmosphere. It is on the site of the ancient city of Tenochtitlan, which was destroyed on the capture of Mexico by the Spaniards in 1521. The city suffered severely in the disturbances dating from the end of the Diaz régime, especially in the fighting between the forces of Felix Diaz and President Madero in 1913. See MEXICO. Pop. about 475,000.

MEXICO MEYERBEER