Tenochtitlan

Tenochtitlan,[lower-alpha 1] also known as Mexico-Tenochtitlan,[lower-alpha 2] was a large Mexican altepetl in what is now the historic center of Mexico City. The exact date of the founding of the city is unclear. The date 13 March 1325 was chosen in 1925 to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the city.[2] The city was built on an island in what was then Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico. The city was the capital of the expanding Aztec Empire in the 15th century[3] until it was captured by the Spanish in 1521.

Mexico-Tenochtitlan
1325–1521
Glyph of Tenochtitlan
Glyph
Tenochtitlan and Lake Texcoco in 1519
Tenochtitlan and Lake Texcoco in 1519
First European map of Tenochtitlan, 1524
First European map of Tenochtitlan, 1524
CapitalTenochtitlan
19°26′N 99°8′W
Common languagesClassical Nahuatl
Religion
Aztec religion
GovernmentMonarchy
Historical eraPre-Columbian
 Foundation
1325
 Formation of the Aztec Empire
1428
1521
Population
 Estimate
140,000+[1]
Succeeded by
New Spain
Tenochtitlan
Templo Mayor, main temple of the Mexica people
Tenochtitlan is located in Mexico
Tenochtitlan
Location of Tenochtitlan
Tenochtitlan is located in Mesoamerica
Tenochtitlan
Tenochtitlan (Mesoamerica)
Alternative nameMexico-Tenochtitlan
LocationMexico City, Mexico
RegionLake Texcoco, Valley of Mexico
Coordinates19°26′N 99°8′W
History
FoundedUnclear date, declared 13 March 1325
AbandonedConquered in 1521
PeriodsLate Postclassic
CulturesAztecs
Site notes
Official nameHistoric Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco
CriteriaCultural: ii, iii, iv, v
Reference412
Inscription1987 (11th Session)

At its peak, it was the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas. It subsequently became a cabecera of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. Today, the ruins of Tenochtitlan are in the historic center of the Mexican capital. The World Heritage Site of Xochimilco contains what remains of the geography (water, boats, floating gardens) of the Mexica capital.

Tenochtitlan was one of two Mexica āltepētl (city-states or polities) on the island, the other being Tlatelolco. The city is located in modern-day Mexico City.


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