Mexico City is the densely populated, high-altitude capital of Mexico. It is a fascinating capital that beguiles its visitors with endless options. One of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, with 16 boroughs and more than 300 neighborhoods, it might seem a bit overwhelming to the first-time visitor, though it doesn’t have to be. A stroll through the buzzing downtown area reveals the capital’s storied history, from its pre-Hispanic underpinnings and colonial-era splendor to its contemporary edge. The Zócalo is just one block southwest of the Templo Mayor which, according to Aztec legend and mythology, was considered the center of the universe and is the ideal spot to begin your sightseeing in Mexico City.