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Who were the Aztecs?

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Quick answer

The Aztecs were a powerful civilization that ruled central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th century. From their island capital Tenochtitlan, they built a vast empire known for advanced farming, striking architecture, and a rich religion — until Spanish conquest in 1521.

Key things to understand

  1. They dominated central Mexico from the 1300s to the 1500s.
  2. Their capital, Tenochtitlan, sat on an island in a lake (now Mexico City).
  3. They used clever 'floating garden' farming to feed a huge population.
  4. The empire fell to Spanish conquistadors and disease in 1521.

People also ask

Where did the Aztecs live?
In central Mexico, centered on their island capital Tenochtitlan, on the site of modern Mexico City.
What were the Aztecs known for?
A powerful empire, advanced farming, monumental temples, a complex calendar, and a rich religious culture.
Why did the Aztec Empire fall?
Spanish conquistadors, local rivals, and devastating European diseases brought it down in 1521.