- Geography: The Aztecs were from the central region of Mexico, while the Mayas were from the southern region, including parts of Mexico and Central America.
- Time period: The Aztec civilization flourished between the 14th and 16th centuries, while the Maya civilization was at its peak between the 3rd and 9th centuries.
- Language: The Aztecs spoke Nahuatl, while the Mayas spoke Mayan languages such as K'iche' and Yucatec.
- Religion: The Aztecs were polytheistic and worshipped a pantheon of gods, including the sun god Huitzilopochtli and the rain god Tlaloc. The Mayas were also polytheistic and worshipped gods such as the maize god Yum Kaax and the war god K'uk'ulkan.
- Government: The Aztecs had a centralized government headed by an emperor, while the Mayans had a decentralized government with city-states ruled by kings or priests.
- Writing system: The Aztecs used a pictographic writing system, while the Mayas developed a more complex hieroglyphic writing system.
- Architecture: The Aztecs were skilled builders and constructed massive temples and pyramids, such as the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan. The Mayas were also skilled builders and created impressive structures such as the temples and pyramids of Tikal and Chichen Itza.
- Economy: The Aztecs were primarily an agricultural society, but they also engaged in trade and commerce. The Mayas were also an agricultural society, but they also developed a complex system of trade and commerce, including long-distance trade routes.