Mexico City: History, Former Names & Timeline
The Aztec capital built on an island in Lake Texcoco; after the Spanish conquest the capital of New Spain, and today of Mexico.
Mexico CityExplore Mexico City in the interactive map
Former names of Mexico City
| From | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1325 | Tenochtitlan | Aztec capital |
| 1521 | Ciudad de México |
Timeline of Mexico City
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1325 | The Mexica found Tenochtitlan on the lake island (traditional date) |
| 1519 | Cortés enters Tenochtitlan |
| 1521 | The Spanish take Tenochtitlan |
| 1535 | The Viceroyalty of New Spain is created |
| 1821 | Mexico becomes independent |
| 1910 | The Mexican Revolution begins |
Who ruled Mexico City
Derived from the border maps; each row runs until the next recorded border change.
| Period | State |
|---|---|
| 500 BC–324 BC | Maize farmers |
| 323 BC–799 | Teotihuacan |
| 800–1299 | Toltec Empire |
| 1300–1491 | Mixtec Empire |
| 1492–1499 | Mexihcah (Triple Alliance) |
| 1500–1599 | Aztec Empire |
| 1600–1879 | Viceroyalty of New Spain |
| 1880–today | Mexico |
Battles and sites near Mexico City
- Teotihuacan · AD 450
- Battle of Fall of Tenochtitlan · 1521
Landmarks in and around Mexico City
Templo MayorLost · 1487
TeotihuacanRuins · AD 200
Famous people of Mexico City
| Lived | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| c. 1466 – 1520 | Moctezuma II | Aztec emperor |
| 1485 – 1547 | Hernán Cortés | Spanish conquistador |
| c. 1648 – 1695 | Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz | Poet and scholar |
| 1806 – 1872 | Benito Juárez | President of Mexico |
Further reading
Questions about Mexico City
What was Mexico City called in the past?
Mexico City has been known as Tenochtitlan (from 1325, Aztec capital); Ciudad de México (from 1521). Its present name dates from 1521.
Which states have ruled Mexico City?
On the historical border maps from 500 BC to today, Mexico City lies within 8 different states: Maize farmers, Teotihuacan, Toltec Empire, Mixtec Empire, Mexihcah (Triple Alliance), Aztec Empire, Viceroyalty of New Spain, Mexico.
What are the key dates in the history of Mexico City?
1325: The Mexica found Tenochtitlan on the lake island (traditional date). 1519: Cortés enters Tenochtitlan. 1521: The Spanish take Tenochtitlan. 1535: The Viceroyalty of New Spain is created. 1821: Mexico becomes independent.
Which famous people are connected with Mexico City?
Moctezuma II (aztec emperor, c. 1466 – 1520); Hernán Cortés (spanish conquistador, 1485 – 1547); Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (poet and scholar, c. 1648 – 1695); Benito Juárez (president of mexico, 1806 – 1872).
Last updated 9 November 2026. Sources: border data from historical-basemaps, land and rivers from Natural Earth; texts written for Chronica Maps from standard reference works. How we make the maps.