Aztec dancers descend on Mexico City's Zocalo

Tenochtitlan is now the heart of the bustling megalopolis of Mexico City. Founded in 1325, Tenochtitlan was famous for its elaborate Aztec temples and advanced canal system.

Spanish conquerer Hernan Cortes first arrived in Mexico in 1518 on a mission to explore the region's interior for Spanish colonisation. After the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521, the residents of Tenochtitlan were reportedly forced to destroy their temples and palaces. The materials were later used to lay the foundations for modern-day Mexico City.

Now the site is surrounded by Spanish colonial buildings such as Mexico City's main Cathedral and the historic National Palace. But the foundations of Tenochtitlan are still evident in Mexico City, with constant excavations in the capital's centre revealing more artefacts and insights into ancient Aztec culture.