Mexico City

Rating:
Summary: BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY & INTERESTING TEXT
Review: The author and the photographer Harald Sund have captured late 70's Mexico City in all its splendour. This metropolis is the oldest continually occupied city in the Americas. Founded in the 14th century by the Aztecs, it grew to be the capital of a great empire that amazed the Spanish conquistadors who, in 1519, became the first Europeans to witness its splendour. After a savage war, the Spaniards destroyed the glittering city of the Aztecs and on its ruins built the colonial capital that has developed into the Mexico City of today. Even more than in 1979 when this book was published, Mexico City is a sophisticated, affluent and cosmopolitan city that nonetheless faces daunting problems of overpopulation and overstretched resources. In his lively and perceptive account, the author explores the contradictions and paradoxes, as well as the excitements and delights, of this exhilarating city, whose complex character springs from its inextricably mingled Indian and Spanish inheritance. The text includes separate articles on e.g. the eagle symbol and important historical events. Sund's photographs not only provide a vivid record of the city' imposing landmarks and incomparable archaeological reassures, but give intimate glimpses of the vivacity of its people in the late 1970's. A map of the country and two maps of the city are included, as well as black and white historical photographs, aerial and nocturnal views, reproductions of illustrated Aztecs manuscripts, paintings of scenes from the city and colourful modern murals. The book concludes with a bibliography and index.