The city of Teotihuacan is situated in the central section of the valley of Teotihuacan. This valley is in the northeastern part of the Basin of Mexico, a plateau over 2,000 meters high with a temperate semiarid climate. The later Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, developed about 700 years after the collapse of Teotihuacan 60 km southwest on an island in the shallow lakes that spread in the Basin at that time.
Teotihuacan is one of the largest pre-industrial cities in the world. Tens of thousands of people were employed in crafts and around 100,000 were involved in trade and fixed markets. Because of their strategic location, Teotihuacan was also one of the more politically dominant cities. The valley of Mexico made it easy for accessing trade routes and communication with other communities.
Teotihuacan is one of the largest pre-industrial cities in the world. Tens of thousands of people were employed in crafts and around 100,000 were involved in trade and fixed markets. Because of their strategic location, Teotihuacan was also one of the more politically dominant cities. The valley of Mexico made it easy for accessing trade routes and communication with other communities.
Although they left no significant amount of writing during their time, they built two of the world's largest man made structures: Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. However, in order to build these pyramids, it required a great surplus of participation by the people. This suggests that Teotihuacan was a metropolis with a stable and strongly centralized authority.
The Pyramid of the Sun is known to be the highest pyramid in Mesoamerica. In comparison, the base of this enormous pyramid is the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The Teotihuacan people purposefully constructed the pyramid so that the sun passes the zenith in order to fulfill religious practices.
The Pyramid of the Moon is recognized for its splendor and beauty. Reaching a height of 116 feet, it faces south with an elaborate view of the city. In front of this pyramid is the Plaza of the Moon. This contains 12 platforms, which surround about 4 acres of land. In the center of the Plaza is another platform that was used for pageantry and religious ceremonies. It was also used for the burning of basin oils.
The Pyramid of the Sun is known to be the highest pyramid in Mesoamerica. In comparison, the base of this enormous pyramid is the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The Teotihuacan people purposefully constructed the pyramid so that the sun passes the zenith in order to fulfill religious practices.
The Pyramid of the Moon is recognized for its splendor and beauty. Reaching a height of 116 feet, it faces south with an elaborate view of the city. In front of this pyramid is the Plaza of the Moon. This contains 12 platforms, which surround about 4 acres of land. In the center of the Plaza is another platform that was used for pageantry and religious ceremonies. It was also used for the burning of basin oils.