Final answer:
The Aztec civilization thrived in Mesoamerica, specifically in what is now Mexico, and used a farming technique called chinampa. They turned trees into ash for use as fertilizer. Their achievements in agriculture, economy, religion, and social structure were significant despite the eventual conquest by the Spanish.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Aztec civilization is considered one of the great civilizations in pre-Columbian America. They existed in the region known as Mesoamerica in modern-day Mexico. Most notably, this civilization used a farming technique called chinampa. Trees were turned into ash that was then used as a fertilizer to enrich their floating gardens.
The great Aztec Empire was established in what is now central Mexico, with its capital being Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs were skilled in a variety of fields, holding deep religious beliefs that included the practice of human sacrifices to appease their gods. During the height of their power, they also developed a robust economic system, infrastructural innovations like irrigation, and maintained control over a large and diverse population.
Their society was characterized by a social hierarchy, advanced agricultural practices, and a keen aptitude for trade and warfare. The importance of understanding the Aztecs' achievements helps us grasp the cultural legacy that they left behind, despite their eventual conquest by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and his allied native forces.