- Location: Central Mexico, on an island in Lake Texcoco.
- History: Founded in 1325, Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec Empire, one of the largest empires in pre-Columbian America. It was destroyed by Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés in 1521.
- Features: The ruins of Tenochtitlan include the Templo Mayor, a massive pyramid that was the center of religious and political life in the city. Other notable features include the Palacio Nacional, the Templo Mayor Museum, and the Great Market.
- Significance: Tenochtitlan was one of the most important cities in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans. It was a major center of trade, culture, and religion, and its destruction marked the end of the Aztec Empire.
Machu Picchu
- Location: Southeastern Peru, in the Andes Mountains.
- History: Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century by the Inca Empire, one of the largest empires in pre-Columbian America. It was abandoned about 100 years later, and its ruins were not discovered by Western explorers until 1911.
- Features: Machu Picchu is a complex of stone buildings that are built on terraces and connected by narrow roads. The most famous building is the Intihuatana, a stone structure that is believed to have been used for astronomical observations. Other notable features include the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Moon, and the Royal Mausoleum.
- Significance: Machu Picchu is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Americas. It is a testament to the skill and ingenuity of the Inca Empire, and it provides a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived in the Andes Mountains centuries ago.
