<P> From 1521 , the Spanish conquest of the Aztec empire incorporated the region into the Spanish Empire , with New Spain its colonial era name and Mexico City the center of colonial rule . It was built on the ruins of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan and became the capital of New Spain . During the colonial era , Mexico 's long - established Mesoamerican civilizations mixed with European culture . Perhaps nothing better represents this hybrid background than Mexico 's languages : the country is both the most populous Spanish - speaking country in the world and home to the largest number of Native American language speakers in North America . For three centuries Mexico was part of the Spanish Empire , whose legacy is a country with a Spanish - speaking , Catholic and largely Western culture . </P>
<P> From 1521 , the Spanish conquest of the Aztec empire incorporated the region into the Spanish Empire , with New Spain its colonial era name and Mexico City the center of colonial rule . It was built on the ruins of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan and became the capital of New Spain . During the colonial era , Mexico 's long - established Mesoamerican civilizations mixed with European culture . Perhaps nothing better represents this hybrid background than Mexico 's languages : the country is both the most populous Spanish - speaking country in the world and home to the largest number of Native American language speakers in North America . For three centuries Mexico was part of the Spanish Empire , whose legacy is a country with a Spanish - speaking , Catholic and largely Western culture . </P>
when did mexico come under spanish colonial rule
when did mexico come under spanish colonial rule
1521
1521