One example of an Aztec adaptation to their environment is the chinampa agricultural system. The chinampas were artificial islands created in the shallow lakes of the Valley of Mexico. They were built by piling up layers of mud, stones, and plant materials on top of reed mats. This allowed the Aztecs to effectively use the limited arable land in the region and grow crops such as maize, beans, squash, and chili peppers. The chinampas were irrigated using a system of canals, and the nutrient-rich lake sediment provided fertility to the crops. This adaptation enabled the Aztecs to sustain a large population in an otherwise challenging landscape.
a. The use of canoes for transportation on the water.
