Mexico Pre-Hispanic History reports that during the second half of the 13TH Century the Mexicas arrived to the valley of Mexico. It was the Mexicas, which later became the sovereigns of Mexico Pre-Hispanic History, as the Aztec Empire. On arrival, Mexicas tried to settle down in the forest of Chapultepec, but were rejected by the Toltec warriors. So following a religious premonition from their god Huichilopostli, indicating that their promised land would be the place, where they would find an eagle posted on a cactus, devouring a snake. Such a vision was found in the middle of the central lake. This was precisely the place which today is Mexico City Town Square, El Zocalo.
According to Mexico Pre-Hispanic History, the Mexicas fought their way in, continued fighting and so became the dominating and imperialistic warriors that during 200 years before the arrival of the Spaniards, established their sovereignty all over the country and in to the Maya World in the south and parts of Central America.
From 650 AD to 950 AD other surging groups settled on surrounding areas of the Mexico City valley, such as Xochicalco, Cacaxtla and Cholula. For the following 160 Years Teotihuacan with the biggest Ceremonial Center in the Highlands, empowered the functions of the empire, but later merged with the Toltec take over. Other tribes settled on the east side of the Valley founding the Nahuatl communities Tenayuca, Texcoco and Tlacopan.
The Aztecs with the Island in the middle of the lake, traced a City with perfect orientation North, South, East and West. From the Island they built 4 avenues to connect direct with the mainland. At the same time they built an Aqueduct from the Chapultepec Springs to the center of the Island in order to have clean potable water. Part of Aqueduct arches are still standing in the middle of the city (on Chapultepec avenue). The expeditionary personnel of the conquering armies, were not that educated and did not observe the precision of measures that Aztec and Toltecs had put on their buildings.
Centuries later, most of the tracing errors have been corrected. But still although a Mega City, you still find the village settings and tracing in the parts of the Valley that merged in to the City. You will be in a Village, but rush and traffic will remind you that you are in the Biggest City in the World.
Aztecs were the Roman conquerors of Mesoamerica. Their influence and control spread knowledge, trade and domination throughout Mexico and Central America. Mayans got some construction techniques from the Toltecs and through the continuing link of the Aztec domination. Regardless of, we find Religious similarities, as well as an exchange of the astrological awareness and agricultural techniques.
The Aztec Civilization dominated Mexico for nearly 200 years (1345-1521) and was flourishing when Spanish conquerors arrived in 1519. The Aztecs used an elaborate system of taxing and patronage to subjugate an enormous empire that stretched well into Central America. Aztecs were also master builders and imitators of Mexico's previous cultures. Aztecs borrowed heavily from their Olmec, Toltec, and Mayan predecessors to develop a complex linguistic, religious, artistic, architectural and military heritage. The mighty empire came to a sudden and tragic end in 1521, though much of its influence is still evident today in the culture of the Central Highland region.