How did the Aztec create more farmland for the city of Tenochtitlan?
A. By building dikes
B. By using slash-and-burn agriculture
C. By building chinampas
D. By using aqueducts
The correct answer is C. By building chinampas.
To determine this answer, we can break down the question and its options:
The question asks how the Aztecs created more farmland for the city of Tenochtitlan. This implies that they needed to expand their agricultural capabilities to provide food for their growing population.
Option A suggests that the Aztecs built dikes. While dikes could potentially be used to control water levels and prevent flooding, they would not directly create additional farmland.
Option B proposes slash-and-burn agriculture. Although this method involves clearing land by cutting down and burning vegetation, it is not specifically related to creating more farmland.
Option D suggests the use of aqueducts. Aqueducts are structures designed to transport water from one location to another but would not necessarily relate to creating more farmland.
Therefore, the answer is C. Chinampas. Chinampas were a unique agricultural innovation of the Aztecs. These were artificial islands made by constructing canals and then layering mud, reeds, and other natural materials on top to create fertile farming areas. By building chinampas, the Aztecs were able to expand their agricultural capacity and create more farmland to sustain the growing population of Tenochtitlan.