Pan-American Highway, National Geographic Book: Overlooking El Zocalo

A lone diner sits in hotel balcony restaurant overlooking El Zocalo, the main plaza in the heart of Mexico City. Plaza de la Constitucion, the historic center’s formal name is bounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral  that sits above the site of Aztec ruins, a 16th century cathedral (Metropolitana), the Mexican capital government buildings and palace.  This was a gathering place for Aztec’s and today the scene of most political demonstrations in Mexico. Mexico City’s approximately 20 million people has extremes including the highest culture and some of the worst crime in the world.