(c) STORY: Mexico's Capital is sinking every year (500 words)
On the American continent lays a magical country and the third largest in Latin America, Mexico, full of history, art and architecture and in Nahuatl, one of the 68 native languages spoken there it also means, "the bellybutton of the moon". lts capital, Mexico City or more recently known as CDMX is one of the most popular cities to live in and is the largest metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere.
The increase in population, also has its problems due to its fracturing ground which is rapidly sinking at a rate of almost 50 centimetres (20 inches) per year with no signs of stopping, which also creates a heightened risk of irreplaceable damage during an earthquake.
Why does this city continue to sink?
Well, during the Aztec period, Mexico City, originally called, Tenochtitlán was founded by the Mexicas ("Meh-shee-kas") in 1325 A.D, who would later be known as the Aztecs, skilled warriors who dominated the Mesoamerica during this era. Their mastery of engineering allowed them to build an artificial island over a lake, the Lago de Texcoco by dumping soil into the lagoon and connecting to the shore by three large bridges. Their skilled symmetrical design was completed with a 3km long aqueduct, bringing fresh water to the city from the surrounding hills.
The city' s developments fulfilled one of the ancient prophecies by believing that their god would show them where to build a great city by providing a sign, an eagle eating a snake while perched atop a cactus. The very same symbol now proudly displays their heritage upon Mexico's national flag.
The increase in population, also has its problems due to its fracturing ground which is rapidly sinking at a rate of almost 50 centimetres (20 inches) per year with no signs of stopping, which also creates a heightened risk of irreplaceable damage during an earthquake.
Why does this city continue to sink?
Well, during the Aztec period, Mexico City, originally called, Tenochtitlán was founded by the Mexicas ("Meh-shee-kas") in 1325 A.D, who would later be known as the Aztecs, skilled warriors who dominated the Mesoamerica during this era. Their mastery of engineering allowed them to build an artificial island over a lake, the Lago de Texcoco by dumping soil into the lagoon and connecting to the shore by three large bridges. Their skilled symmetrical design was completed with a 3km long aqueduct, bringing fresh water to the city from the surrounding hills.
The city' s developments fulfilled one of the ancient prophecies by believing that their god would show them where to build a great city by providing a sign, an eagle eating a snake while perched atop a cactus. The very same symbol now proudly displays their heritage upon Mexico's national flag.
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lt was only until 1519, after the Aztec capital was conquered under the orders of Spanish explorer, Hernán Cortés, they discovered the floating city which was estimated at around 13 square kilometres (5 square miles). Upon arriving there, they laid siege to the Aztec capital for 93 days, until the Mexica surrendered on 13th August 1521. Cortés had brought an engineer to drain the lakes, leaving much of what is now known as Mexico City resting in the lake basin; a city built on top of marshlands, believed by the proud Spanish rulers of their ability to conquer nature with ease, only to find their buildings started to sink upon completion.
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On top of that, so much water has been pumped out from under the aquifer beneath the fast-growing city to satisfy the metropolitan areas of around 21 million residents. There have been recent talks to preserve the city by finding alternative sources of drinking water, an artificial recharge and renovating the water infrastructure, some of which are more than 100 years old.
But until then, Mexico City will maintain its uniqueness - you could even place a ball on the floor of the older buildings and it will roll to the other side of the room. So, the next time you take a photo of the city, you may think it's your camera which is off angle, when in fact it's due to the ever-sinking ground.
