Capital: Mexico City (Ciudad de México), located in the FederalDistrict (Distrito Federal) with a population estimated at 8.8 million in 2008.Major Cities: The Greater Mexico City metropolitan area encompasses Mexico City and severaladjacent suburbs, including the populous cities of Ecatepec de Morelos (1.8 million residents in2005) and Netzahualcóyotl (1.2 million). The total population of the Greater Mexico Citymetropolitan area is estimated at about 16 million. Other major cities include Guadalajara (1.6million), Puebla (1.3 million), Ciudad Juárez (1.2 million), Tijuana (1.1 million), and Monterrey(1.1 million).Independence: September 16, 1810 (from Spain).Public Holidays: New Year's Day (January 1); Constitution Day (February 5); Birthday ofBenito Juárez (March 21); International Labor Day (May 1); Independence Day (September 16);Discovery of America (October 12); Anniversary of the Revolution (November 20); Christmas(December 25); and New Year's Eve (December 31).