Teotihuacán

Teotihuacán is an ancient Mesoamerican city located in the Basin of Mexico, northeast of modern-day Mexico City. It is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Mexico and was once one of the largest cities in the pre-Columbian Americas. The city flourished for centuries, reaching its peak between approximately 100 BCE and 550 CE, although its origins may date back even earlier.

The name Teotihuacán, meaning "the place where the gods were created" or "the place of the birth of the gods" in Nahuatl, was given to the site by the Aztecs, who discovered it in a state of ruin centuries after its decline. The original inhabitants and their language are unknown, making the city's origins and societal structure subjects of ongoing research and speculation.

The urban plan of Teotihuacán is characterized by a grid layout, dominated by the Avenue of the Dead, a broad ceremonial thoroughfare. Along this avenue and throughout the city stand monumental structures, including the Pyramid of the Sun, the second-largest pyramid in the world, and the Pyramid of the Moon. Other notable features include the Temple of the Feathered Serpent and numerous residential complexes.

Teotihuacán was a major economic and cultural center, influencing much of Mesoamerica through its trade networks and artistic styles. The reasons for its eventual decline and abandonment around 550 CE are still debated, with theories ranging from internal strife and warfare to environmental degradation and drought. Today, Teotihuacán is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of a lost civilization.