Metro Nezahualcóyotl

Metro Nezahualcóyotl is the first station outside of Mexico City on Metro Line B. The fact that the line continues past the city limits explains its designation with a letter rather than a number.

The station name matches that of the Municipality (and city) of Nezahualcóyotl. Today a city of more than a million residents, it’s the ninth most populous municipality in the country, and second in Mexico State.

The vast majority of Neza residents, though, live to the south and are likely served by Metro Line A. Line A abuts most of the southwestern border. Metro Nezahualcóyotl really serves the neighborhoods of Vergel de Guadalupe and Col. Bosque de Aragon, both of which are part of the northern panhandle of “Neza.”

Neza is, of course, named for the 15th century tlatoani, Nezahualcóyotl (1402-1472). He was king of Texcoco from 1431 through 1472. Forced out of Texcoco by the ruthless Tepaneca leader, Tezozómoc. he ended up living in Chapultepec. According to legend, he introduced game animals, installed the famous baths, and began work on the aqueduct that brought drinking water to ancient Tenochtitlan. By 1429, with the establishment of the Triple Alliance, he recovered Texcoco and extends and consolidates his rule. He thus ushered in the Golden Age of Tenochtitlan. Nezahualcóyotl’s legacy is on the $100 peso note, and in countless places in and around Mexico City and across Mexico, even to this day.

The station briefly bore the name “Metro Continentes.” The avenue, Bosques de los Continentes, runs just outside the station. Opened in 1999 with the rest of Metro Line B, the station name was changed in 2002.