Tenochtitlan

I float on a big, sparkly lake, and the water all around me is a bright, happy blue. Instead of dusty roads, I have water streets where colorful canoes glide like swans. Swish, swoosh, they go, carrying friends from one home to another. Happy birds sing in the trees that grow on my little islands. It is a beautiful place, full of sunshine and laughter. Can you guess who I am. I am the great city of Tenochtitlan. I was a cozy home built right on the water.

A long, long time ago, the Aztec people, who were also called the Mexica, were looking for a special place to build their home. They walked and walked until one day, around the year 1325, they saw a wonderful sign. It was a big eagle sitting on a cactus. This was the sign they had been waiting for. So right here, on this island in the lake, they started to build. They made special floating gardens called chinampas to grow yummy food like corn and beans. They also built tall, tall temples that reached up to touch the sun. It was a busy, happy home full of families.

I was a happy city for many, many years. Then, around the year 1521, new people came to visit, and things began to change. A new city, called Mexico City, was built right on top of me. But my story isn't over. My heart still beats under the new streets. If you visit Mexico City today, you can find some of my ancient stones and see the treasures that were left behind. I love to share my secrets and show everyone the wonderful home the Aztec people built on the water, a city made from a dream.