Canal Nacional facts for kids
Canal Nacional is a waterway built by people in Mexico City. It connects the city's center with Xochimilco in the southern part of the city. For many years, from ancient times until the 1950s, people used this channel for travel and moving goods. It also provided water, getting it from the same natural springs as Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco.
Since the 1950s, many rivers and canals in Mexico City have been covered up. This was done to make more space for the growing city. Canal Nacional is now the only open-air channel left that was built by people. In 1993, the government planned to turn Canal Nacional into a road. But local people strongly disagreed and protested against this idea. Today, people in the community are working together. They want to find ways to protect the waterway and encourage everyone to use it for fun activities.
Canal Nacional was chosen as one of 25 important places for the 2020 World Monuments Watch. This list is made by the World Monuments Fund (WMF). It highlights historical sites around the world that need urgent help to be saved and protected.
What is Canal Nacional?
Canal Nacional is a long, narrow channel of water. It was dug by people a very long time ago. It helped connect different parts of Mexico City. Think of it like an old highway made of water!
A Look Back in Time
For hundreds of years, people used Canal Nacional for many things.
- Travel: People used boats to move from one place to another.
- Transporting Goods: Farmers could bring their crops to markets.
- Water Supply: The canal also brought fresh water to the city. It was connected to natural springs in the areas of Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco.
In the middle of the 1900s, Mexico City grew very fast. Many rivers and canals were covered over. This made room for new roads and buildings. Canal Nacional was almost covered too, but people fought to keep it open.
Saving the Canal Today
Today, Canal Nacional is a special place. It is the last open-air channel of its kind in the city. Many people in the community want to protect it. They are working on plans to keep it clean and safe. They also want to make it a place where people can enjoy nature and outdoor activities.
The World Monuments Fund recognized Canal Nacional as an important site. This means it's a place with a lot of history and value. It needs special care to make sure it lasts for future generations.
