The Founding Of Mexico City

The city of Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) was founded by the Aztecs in 1325. It was the capital city of the Aztec civilization. Now it's the capital city of Mexico, Mexico City. It grew to be the biggest and strongest city in Mesoamerica.

It was originally on an island in Lake Texcoco. Now it extends throughout the Valley of Mexico. Lake Texcoco has drained out and none of the waters have remained since the 17th century. It drained because of earthquakes. In the process, some parts of the city have sunk as much as nine meters. It is on saturated clay from the drainage of Lake Texcoco.

In 1519, Hernando Cortez came to Mexico and invaded the Aztecs. The Aztecs thought he was the god Quetzalcoatl and did not attack him. Cortez defeated the Aztecs and took over Tenochititlan and built a palace on the ruins. He even used some of the Aztec materials. Mexico became a Spanish colony.