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Tenochtitlan: One of the First Man-Made Islands
By Islomaniac | April 25, 2008
Tenochtitlan was the capital city of the Aztec civiliation, consisting of the Mexica people, founding in 1325. THe founding of the city was the fulfilment of an ancient propecy: that wondering tribes would find the destined site for a great city. The Aztecs saw this vision on what was then a small swampy island in Lake Texcoco. Not deterred by the unfavourable terrain they set about building their cify, expaning and drying the exisitng island. Over time a vast city built upon a man-made island emerged and the Aztec culture thrived and flourished. When the Spanish conquistidors arrived in 1519 the city was one of the largest in the world with a population around 200,000 people. The city was conquered in 1521 after a siefe that lasted many months. Today Mexico city is built upon the ruins of Tenochtitlan. Some of he remaining ruins of Tenochtitlan’s main temple, the Templo Mayor were unvocered during the consturction of a metro line in the 1970s and is now open to visitors. It really is a shame that this city was lost to the ravages of time and colonialism. It was no doubt a magnificent city and a prime example of island construction and it is a shame that the world today has been deprived of the opportunity to enjoy this remarkable place.
To read more about Tenochtitlan click here.
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Topics: Man made islands |
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