Xochimilco, The Romantic City Of Canals
Posted On December 3, 2009
Location
Xochimilco is one of the 16 delegations or region that lies in the Mexican Federal District. It is situated at a distance of 17 miles towards the south of the city center in the Mexico City. The cities that are located to the north Xochimilco are Tlalpan, Iztapalapa and Coyoacán. Also the city that is located to the west of Xochimilco is Tláhuac. And the city located to the southeast region of Xochimilco is Milpa Alta. The area covered by Xochimilco is around 122 sq km, which makes it the third largest delegación in the country
History
Xochimilco is very much famous for the various comprehensive series of canals that are located in the country. These canals are the remnants of an older Lake Xochimilco. Xochimilco has been extremely successful in maintaining the age-old customs and traditions of the city. The region of Xochimilco is located where near to the Mexico city who has a huge influence on the region to. The city of Xochimilco has got a romantic status because of the colourful Xochimilco boats all decorated with various flowers which have been used in the movies such as María Candelaria (1940)
Earlier agriculture was the major activity in the region but this day it has became a minor but an important activity. The enormous canals represent just a minute portion of their previous level of Chinamperí. Xochimilco has been declared as a World Heritage site in the year 1987 UNESCO.
The name Xochimilco has its origin from the world Nahuatl which means “flower field place”. In Spanish it is pronounced as Nahuatl.
The very first inhabitations that made Xochimilco their home is dated in the region of the late Pre-Classic period that was around B.C.200-A.D.250. This will surely give you an idea that the culture of the people living in the city is very much related to that of the Cuicuilco. Cuicuilco was one of the early settlers in the region of the Southern Mexican Valley.
As also seen in the valleys as well as the various other regions it was observed that the maximum population during the Classical period was mostly a part of the city of Teotihuacan which liked to the northeast region of the Texcoco Lake. Maximum of the Xochimilco country was been deserted and people were shifting to the city of the gods, Teotihuacan. It was after the fall of Teotihuacan that many of the inhabitants of Xochimilco area returned back to the province. Also some of the Chichimec tribes were welcomed to region. Basically they belonged to the northern region of Mesoamerica. Chichimecs neglected their actual places as many droughts took place in the region towards the end of the Classical period.
During the later Classic period the Chichimecs was receiving an increasing number of people settling in the region. They belonged to the northern Mesoamerican tribes. The culture of this population was bellicose as well as nomadic.
When the Mexican region got its independence, Xochimilco was declared as a part of the Mexican State. Its chief activity in the region was still agriculture. The production of the agriculture was being transported by the colorful trajiners to the major markets in Mexico city such as Jamaica as ell as La Merced from the chinampas.
The very first steamed railway route was been in the year 1850. this railway route traveled between Xochimilco and the Mexico city. The development in the commerce among the cities was seen after the arrival of the railways. The very first electronic interurban tram was been launched in the year 1908. Today the same service continues as the Xochimilco Light Rail. The Xochimilco Light Rail is commonly known as nameel tren ligero as well as light train.
In the year 1938 the fluvial contact with the Mexico City was stopped as the Vigal canal was been closed down.
Many new constructions were started in the year 1968. The constructions took place in the areas which were going to be a part of the then held Olympic Games. During that time some of the parts of the Cuemanco canal was been transformed into the Olympic rowing as well as flat water canoe venue. A city bypass was been constructed in the outskirts of the region. The metropolitan region of the Mexico city was been developed in the late 2oth century.
How to reach
Mexico City International Airport is the close by located airport. From here you can either hire a taxi or rent a car to reach Xochimilco. Bus services are also available but are very much time consuming. You can also you the metro service that has been developed in the city for the last many years.
When to go
The best time to visit Xochimilco is from November up to February the temperature is quite temperate.
Accommodation
An affordable accommodation as well as quality food is easily available across the city.
Opening timings
The Xochimilco Gardens are open throughout the day. The entrance fees for the Gardens are peso 200 per person.
