The Aztecs - Geography Flashcards
Why were the mountains considered sacred sites?
The mountains were considered sacred or holy sites because they believed that through its height, it brought them physically closer to the gods. The temples and political buildings built by the Aztecs to worship their gods were often built in the shape of pyramids, symbolizing the mountains and their importance.
Why did the Aztecs choose to make their home where they did?
The Aztecs chose to make their home where they did because their god, Huitzilopochtli, had given them orders to start the pilgrimage to find the land in which an eagle had perched on a cactus, and was eating a snake. Their god claimed that when they found this, they would have reached the place in which they are able to build the most powerful and important empire.
Describe the landscape, including geography and climate.
The Aztecs had first been located in the Sonoran Desert, but after they were told to continuously move, their location and landscape had been constantly changing. The climate in this landscape that they had lived in was very warm and had been surrounded by the Rio Grande River. However, when they had relocated into the Valley of Mexico, in Lake Texcoco, this changed. Now they were surrounded by water instead of dry sand. This lake was filled with saltwater, making it very hard for them to carry out simple everyday life functions. Surrounding this lake was one of the largest mountain ranges in Mexico, that came with may benefits and drawbacks. When moving here, their climate change to more of a tropical climate, then a warm and desert climate. They were often accompanied by floods, in which they built dams to protect themselves and their city.
What is one benefit of the mountains and what are two drawbacks of the mountains?
The mountains that had surrounded the valley in which the Aztecs lived were very important parts of their society. One benefit of the mountains was that they served as a wall around the city, that protected them from invaders and raiders, serving as a sense of security. Another benefit of the mountains was how they brought the people of the Aztecs closer to the gods, through their heights. Although there are many benefits, there are also drawbacks. One drawback of the mountains were the flash floods that destroyed and destructed their city. These floods were a result of the rainfall on the mountains sliding down the mountains since they were so steep, so it flowed off them and rushed onto the land. Another drawback was how when it had rained, all the rain that fell onto the mountains had drained down to the land, making the soil very salty/saline. This made the Aztecs unable to grow crops on this unhealthy soil.
How did the Aztecs use Lake Texcoco to protect them?
The Aztecs had used Lake Texcoco to protect them in special ways. For one, since the city of Tenochtitlan had been built on water, it had made the access to them very difficult, in which they were able to be protected. They had built three causeways, tracks or trails across the water, that linked the mainland to the lake. These causeways/bridges could be destroyed in any case of invasion by a different party, in which they would cut it down so the invaders wouldn’t be able to cross. This greatly protected the city of Tenochtitlan.
Explain two ways the Aztecs altered the geography to help them survive.
One way the Aztecs altered the geography to help them survive was by using/discovering aqueduct, a water pathway. The Aztecs had lived in salt water, in which they weren’t able to bath in nor drink. They had built these pathways in order to bring in clean water from other lakes, and distribute it throughout the city, ensuring they had enough clean water. The pathways had flowed into the city’s public fountains, in which it was distributed to the citizens. They had been beautiful pathways that were extremely unique. They were often built with the statue of their God of Rain, signifying that he was watching over them and their water. This supply of water kept them alive. Another way the Aztecs altered the geography to help them survive was by building chinampas. Since their surrounding land was not suitable for agriculture, as it was very salty, they were required to build these chinampas to grow their crops. These were known as “floating gardens” that lay on the shallow lake beds in the Valley of Mexico. It was made of wood, measuring 30 meters in length and 2.5 meters in width. The bottom would be dug into the ground of the lake floor, ensuring its stability. On top, a layer of mud, soil, and weeds - a marsh - would be put on top. Then a net would be placed over, allowing an area for them to stand and farm off the healthy soil. This led to the growth of crops, keeping them alive!
Where is modern-day Mexico City located?
Modern-day Mexico City is located in the Valley of Mexico, in which the city of Tenochtitlan had also been located.
Summary paragraph
The Aztec civilization was located in Mexico. The landscape of Mexico includes deserts, mountains, ranchland, tropical rainforests, rich farmland, and sea coasts on the east and west. Mexico is found in Mesoamerica and has a dry, desert-like climate along with tropical coastal areas. The Aztecs, who were first situated north of Mexico, had been consistently moving from place to place so their location was constantly changing. On orders of their sun god, Huitzilopochtli, the Aztecs were to abandon the place where they lived and start a pilgrimage to find an eagle perched on a prickly cactus devouring a snake. According to the legend, they were only to build their permanent settlement when they had found this, which meant they were constantly changing locations in order to find it. The god stated that when they found it, it would be the place where they built the most powerful empire in Mesoamerica. After searching for 200 years, they finally found it located on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco, which is where they built their permanent home. They built their home called Tenochtitlan, in the central basin of Mexico, the valley of Mexico, which was situated between two mountain ranges. Lake Texcoco had may poor living conditions, which made it hard for the Aztecs. This lake was filled with salt water, so the land surrounding it was very saline, making it hard for them to grow crops. They had to rely on the farmers in the outlining areas to meet their food needs, but with their hard work, they were able to grow enough food for their large population. They also have to create chinampas, which were essentially “floating gardens” that were built on the lake beds. They were filled with mud and decaying vegetation - creating a marsh. Then a net would be placed over, allowing an area for them to stand and farm off the healthy soil. This led to the growth of crops, keeping them alive! Although this lake was a disadvantage for agriculture, it was very useful for protection. They had built three causeways that linked the mainland to the lake. The bridges that were connected to the causeways could be destroyed in any case of invasion by a different party, in which they would cut it down so the invaders wouldn’t be able to cross. Tenochtitlan was also surrounded by mountains which brought them good and bad. One benefit of the mountains was that they served as a wall around the city, that protected them from invaders and raiders, serving as a sense of security. Another benefit of the mountains was how they brought the people of the Aztecs closer to the gods, through their heights. Since the mountains were so steep, however, they directed lots of rainfall to Tenochtitlan, which resulted in many flash floods that destroyed their city. After a great flashflood, they built a great dm across the lake, to prevent it from happening again. Ths rainfall also helped make the soil around Tenochtitlan very salty. The Aztecs also built aqueducts to ensure clean water even in times of drought. They had built these pathways in order to bring in clean water from other lakes, and distribute it throughout the city, ensuring they had enough clean water, but built them in such a beautiful way, that they are still popular in looks today.
