Founding of Mexico City

Mexico City traces its origins to Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Mexica, or Aztecs, built on an island in Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico. According to tradition, the Mexica were guided by a prophecy to settle where they saw an eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus, and the city grew into a large metropolis with temples, canals and causeways. In 1521, the Spanish under Hernan Cortes, allied with indigenous peoples hostile to the Mexica, conquered it after a long siege, and built a new city on its ruins, which became the capital of New Spain. After independence, it became the capital of Mexico, and it is today one of the largest cities in the world.

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