<P> The Aztecs ( / ˈæztɛks / ) were a Mesoamerican culture that flourished in central Mexico in the post-classic period from 1300 to 1521 . The Aztec peoples included different ethnic groups of central Mexico , particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica from the 14th to the 16th centuries . Aztec culture was organized into city - states ( altepetl ) , some of which joined to form alliances , political confederations , or empires . The Aztec empire was a confederation of three city - states established in 1427 , Tenochtitlan , city - state of the Mexica or Tenochca ; Texcoco ; and Tlacopan , previously part of the Tepanec empire , whose dominant power was Azcapotzalco . Although the term Aztecs is often narrowly restricted to the Mexica of Tenochtitlan , it is also broadly used to refer to Nahua polities or peoples of central Mexico in the prehispanic era , as well as the Spanish colonial era ( 1521 -- 1821 ) . The definitions of Aztec and Aztecs have long been the topic of scholarly discussion , ever since German scientist Alexander von Humboldt established its common usage in the early nineteenth century . </P>
<P> The Aztecs ( / ˈæztɛks / ) were a Mesoamerican culture that flourished in central Mexico in the post-classic period from 1300 to 1521 . The Aztec peoples included different ethnic groups of central Mexico , particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica from the 14th to the 16th centuries . Aztec culture was organized into city - states ( altepetl ) , some of which joined to form alliances , political confederations , or empires . The Aztec empire was a confederation of three city - states established in 1427 , Tenochtitlan , city - state of the Mexica or Tenochca ; Texcoco ; and Tlacopan , previously part of the Tepanec empire , whose dominant power was Azcapotzalco . Although the term Aztecs is often narrowly restricted to the Mexica of Tenochtitlan , it is also broadly used to refer to Nahua polities or peoples of central Mexico in the prehispanic era , as well as the Spanish colonial era ( 1521 -- 1821 ) . The definitions of Aztec and Aztecs have long been the topic of scholarly discussion , ever since German scientist Alexander von Humboldt established its common usage in the early nineteenth century . </P>
where did the aztecs live in south america
where did the aztecs live in south america
central Mexico
central Mexico