The end of the DF as an independent entity has come
This puts an end to 15 years of political gridlock and begins a new era for the capital . The new entity will not be the 32nd state of Mexico , but it will be more similar in distribution and organization than the Federal District did, which was always more for free.
Changes are coming in the management and organization of the metropolis , as well as the answer to a fundamental doubt of every traveler. Hereinafter, There will be no room for confusion: the capital is called Mexico City.
Before, all this, was DF
THE NEW TENOCHTITLAN
While we try to recover from the scare, we must remember that this is not the first time that the Mexican capital has been renamed.
The current Mexico City was always the capital, but it changed its name depending on which country (or empire, or region) it was part of. In Aztec times, the nerve center was the majestic Tenochtitlan , founded by the Mexica people on the fertile land of an area of lakes.
The Spanish conquest revolutionized the history of Mexico, but what did remain was the capital: New Spain , as the area from present-day Panama to the north of the United States was called, left it as a political center, renamed Mexico City.
The Federal District arrived in 1824 , when the Congress of the Republic decided that it would be the home of the federal powers . At that time, the DF brought together Mexico City with six other municipalities, but the capital continued to grow unstoppably: today it occupies part of the states of Hidalgo and the State of Mexico.
The DF has become small
Diego de Rivera shaped the majestic Tenochtitlán in this way
WHAT CHANGES ARE COMING?
The disappearance of the DF is not only a matter of nomenclature, it also supposes a no change in the political structure of the city which will give you greater autonomy in decision-making. The city will have for the first time your own constitution , Planned for January 2017 , and a legislative design more similar to the other states of Mexico.
The DF was divided into delegations, a kind of city councils with certain responsibilities and powers under their charge. Mexico City will see the delegations converted into mayoralties , which will add more voices to decision-making processes, such as those of unions and councillors.
As it cannot be less, not everyone is happy with the decision. Several senators from the National Action Party (right) described the changes as 'cosmetic', and plan to contest the disappearance of the DF in the nation's Chamber of Deputies.
As long as they don't change our guacamole...
DEFEÑO OR CHILANGO?
However, at street level the changes will be less noticeable. The traveler who goes to the Mexican capital will not notice major changes , except perhaps new street names, at least for a few years.
Those who do have to discuss what is coming their way are the residents of Mexico City, who face a true identity crisis . Now that Mexico City has become an archaic word, what shall we call the defeños?
The first option that springs to mind is, of course, chilango . Traditionally, chilango refers to the defeña diaspora, that is, those born in Mexico City who live outside the capital. However, the exact meaning of the name is highly disputed.
Algarabía magazine defines “chilango” as, simply, “capital”, citing the Royal Spanish Academy that does not make geographical distinctions to where the “native of Mexico or the Federal District” lives.
Another option to denominate the inhabitants of Mexico City is "mexiqueño", which few inhabitants of the capital use to denominate themselves. The problem with mexiqueño is that it is too similar to “mexiquense”, which is what the inhabitants of the neighboring State of Mexico are called.
But if you ask those interested, all debate is futile: the defeño will be defeño until death. Although from now on he lives in Mexico City.
Defense or chilango?
_ You may also be interested..._*
- Things you will only understand if you are from Mexico City
- 48 hours in Mexico D.F.
- Oaxaca, the hidden paradise of Mexico
- Three reasons (and many beautiful photos) to fall in love with Puerto Escondido
- Sayulita: a colorful paradise in Mexico
- Jalisco: magic DNA
- The streets of Guanajuato
- Guide to understand and love Mexican wrestling
- Pulque: instruction manual - Puebla, the revenge of Mexico without sun or beach
- Mexico City Guide
- Mezcal is the new tequila
- Chilanga night: spending an infinite day in Mexico D.F.
- Mexico: cacti, myths and rhythms
- Why mezcal is the drink of the summer
Mexican love