- The Valley of Mexico, where Tenochtitlan (the main Aztec capital) was located, offered several geographical advantages.
- The valley was surrounded by mountains and offered protection from outside invasions.
- The nearby lakes provided abundant resources, including fish, water, and materials for construction and trade.
- The marshy land of the lakes allowed for the Aztecs to develop agricultural techniques, such as chinampas (raised fields), to increase food production.
2. Political and Religious Significance:
- The Aztecs believed that the gods had instructed them to build their capital at the spot where they found an eagle perched on a cactus devouring a serpent.
- This event was considered an omen that marked the foundation of Tenochtitlan, making it a sacred and significant location for the Aztecs.
- Tenochtitlan became a religious center, with numerous temples and religious ceremonies, which further solidified its importance.
3. Trade and Economic Center:
- The Valley of Mexico and Tenochtitlan were located at a strategic point for trade routes, connecting different regions of Mesoamerica.
- This allowed the Aztecs to establish a vast trade network and control important trade routes, enhancing their economic prosperity and power.
- The city became a bustling marketplace where various goods, including food, jewelry, textiles, and luxury items, were traded.
4. Defensive Advantage:
- The location of Tenochtitlan, amidst the lakes, provided the Aztecs with a natural defense mechanism against potential enemies.
- The city could only be reached through causeways, which made it easier to control access and defend against attacks.
- The island city had a defensible position, further enhancing its strategic importance.
5. Engineering Achievements:
- The Aztecs had advanced engineering skills, which allowed them to overcome the challenges of building a city in a marshy area.
- They constructed causeways, canals, and aqueducts to manage the water flow and connect the city to the mainland.
- These engineering accomplishments demonstrated the Aztecs' ingenuity and their ability to transform the landscape to suit their needs.