Tenochtitlan was the ancient capital city of the Aztecs. It was built on an island located at the center of Lake Texcoco in Mexico. It was believed to be established sometime in 1325 by a group of people coming from the Nahua tribe.

The Aztec state was built at around 1428 where it became Tenochtitlan. During the height of the Aztec civilization, the city was considered as one of the largest cities in the world with a population that reached over 200,000 inhabitants.

The ancient city of Tenochtitlan covered an area of about eight to thirteen square kilometers. It was connected to the mainland by causeways that were built and the four directions from the city. These causeways were built with bridges that allowed canoes and other water traffic to pass by freely.

The bridges were also built in away that it can be pulled away if necessary to protect and defend the city from invaders coming from the mainland. The city interiors itself contained a series of interlaced canals that allowed inhabitants to go to the different sections of the city by foot or by canoe.

The ancient city of Tenochtitlan was divided into four zones that were also known as campan. Each campan was further divided into 20 districts or calpullis. Each calpulli was crossed by streets.

The city also had three main streets that crossed through the city and led to one of the three causeways going to the mainland. The main streets were the largest in the city that were said to be wide enough to let ten horses pass through them at the same time.

Each district or calpulli of the city was known for its specialty in the arts and crafts. Each district also had its own marketplace. Inhabitants of each district also hold their own special day of celebration and try to outdo the other calpullis in the vicinity.

The center of the large and remarkable ancient city of Tenochtitlan contained the various public buildings, temples and schools. A walled square was built that spanned 300 meters from each side and was considered as the city's ceremonial center. The center also contained the city's main temples long with other minor temples used for various ceremonies and celebrations.

On the outside, the palace of Moctezuma was built with its 100 rooms that housed the lords and the ambassadors of the Aztec allies and conquered people. What made the city so remarkable is that it was built with great symmetry. All constructions done inside the city have to go through and seek approval from the calmimilocatl, an officer in charge of city planning.

Despite the greatness and remarkable stature of Tenochtitlan as one of the largest and most important cities in Mesoamerica during its time, it was not able to survive the invasion of the Spanish army led by Hernando Cortez in 1521.

The beautiful ancient city was destroyed after months of battle between the Aztecs and the Spanish conquistadors. It eventually led to the defeat of the Aztecs and the destruction of the ancient city. Most of the ancient buildings were destroyed by Cortez and built a new Spanish city on top of the ruins.

Most of the ruins of the ancient city of Tenochtitlan remained buried until construction excavations led to the discovery of the city's main temple, in the 1970's. Further excavations led to more surprising discoveries.

Complications continue to arise as the ancient city is buried under the present day Mexico City. But future excavations may help experts have a better understanding of the Aztec civilization, the builders of the great ancient city known as Tenochtitlan.