The Aztec Empire flourished for nearly a century before being conquered by the Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés in 1521. The capital was Tenochtitlan, an island located in Lake Texcoco . The Aztecs were able to use the island as a defensive measure against invaders and, through engineering, as a place to grow food for an expanding empire. With the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, the geography that allowed the Aztec empire to prosper ended up favoring its fall. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayTenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec Empire, and its location served many purposes. As an island located in Lake Texcoco, you could only reach Tenochtitlan by boat or via one of three causeways connected to the mainland. This protected the capital from potential invaders as there were a limited number of ways to reach the island. The only way to mount an effective offensive that would permeate all sides of the island would be through a global seaborne invasion. With the surrounding mainland controlled by the Aztecs, it would be difficult for anyone to make this happen without compromising their plans beforehand. If you attacked by land, your only choices were the three narrow causeways and that would have meant a predictable offensive for which the Aztecs were well prepared. Each of the causeways was controlled by drawbridges which could be raised to protect against a land invasion. While the surrounding water gave the island a geographic advantage against potential invaders, it also provided space for growing food. The Aztec empire, which at its height spanned much of central Mexico, needed ample food supplies to support the population and the Aztec warriors who led the expansion efforts. The Aztecs built artificial islands in the lake called chinampas. These were built by piling weeds and mud on top of a pile of sticks. Chinampas could support the growth of several crops, and hundreds of these chinampas would be built in Lake Texcoco. These chinampas allowed Tenochtitlan to become a self-sustaining city-state and were critical in feeding the expanding empire and the soldiers who built it. The island's protective geography helped the Aztec Empire reach its heights, but with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, it would eventually play a role in the conquest. After the Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés were welcomed into the Aztec capital by the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II, it took only a week for the conquistadors to arrest Moctezuma II. Cortés used Montezuma II as a puppet ruler, but after the Conquistadors interrupted a human sacrifice ritual, the Aztecs rebelled. In the chaos, Montezuma II was killed and the conquistadors were driven from the island. The Aztecs had closed the causeways, forcing the conquistadors to build boats to escape the island. Hundreds of conquistadors were left behind and were captured, killed, or drowned in the lake. Cortés reacted with the help of thousands of natives and with the expertise of his shipbuilder Martin Lopez, who survived the revolt and managed to leave the island. Cortés decided to besiege the island by blocking the causeways and preventing any food supply to the island. reach the island. The island geography that had helped protect the capital from invaders was now used against the Aztecs. With the help of the locals, Cortés managed to transport his newly built ships to the lake and bring his men to the island. The Aztecs, led by their new.