In 1325, long before Colum- bus set sail for the Americas, the city of Tenochtitlán, which would later become Mexico City, was one of the largest and most sophisticated cities in the world. It was built on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco and was the capital of the Aztec Empire. Tenochtitlán had an intricate system of canals, causeways, and floating gardens known as “chinampas,” which were used for agriculture. At its height, it is estimated to have had a population of over 200,000 peo- ple, making it larger than any Eu- ropean city of the time, including Paris and Venice. This thriving city was a testament to the advanced engineering and organizational skills of the Aztec civilization.
The city was well-planned and well-organized. It had a grid of canals and streets, and it was divided into four districts. The center of the city was home to the main temples and palaces, as well as a large market.
