The Spanish then built Mexico City on the ruins of the once great city.ĭuring the colonial period (1535-1821), Mexico City was one of the most important cities in the Americas. In 1520, Cortés and his troops conquered the Tenochtitlán. For months after, Moctezuma continued to appease his captors, losing most of his subjects’ respect in the process. After enjoying the king’s hospitality for several weeks, Cortés suddenly ordered that the emperor be placed under house arrest, intending to use him to gain leverage with the Aztecs. Not wishing to offend a god, Moctezuma welcomed Cortés and his soldiers into the city and extended every courtesy. Undaunted, Cortés marched his army to the city and entered it. Moctezuma sent gifts to the Spanish, hoping they would depart and spare his city.

When Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés made it clear in 1519 that he intended to conquer the area, many local chieftains seized the opportunity to liberate themselves from Aztec rule and joined his army.When Cortés and his allies arrived in the area, Moctezuma II believed that the Spaniard was (or was related to) the god Quetzalcóatl, whose return had been prophesied. Skilled warriors, the Aztecs dominated all of Mesoamerica during this era, making some allies but even more enemies. Their civilization, like their city, eventually became the largest and most powerful in pre-Columbian America. They took what was once a small natural island in the Lake Texcoco and expanded it by hand to create their home and fortress, the beautiful Tenochtitlán. The Aztecs were fierce warriors who eventually dominated other tribes throughout the region. When the Toltecas declined in power and influence, the Acolhula, Chichimeca and Tepenaca cultures rose up in their place. These tribes were related to the Toltecas, who established Tula in approximately 850 A.D. Mexico City is located in a valley that was inhabited by several indigenous groups from 100 to 900 A.D. Sports stadiums such as Estadio Azteca and the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez provide thrilling diversions for residents and vacationers. Students come from all over to attend area schools, which include the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and the Instituto Politecnicon Nacional. The city has many well-known and respected museums, such as the Museo Casa Frida Kahlo and the Museo Nacional de Historia. It is the country’s economic and cultural hub, as well as home to the offices of the federal government. Mexico City, Mexico’s largest city and the most populous metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere, is also known as Distrito Federal, or the federal district.

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