Which city was the capital of the Aztec Empire, and in what year was it founded?

The capital of the Aztec Empire was Tenochtitlan, which was founded in 1325 CE. Tenochtitlan was built on an island in Lake Texcoco and became a remarkable center of trade, culture, and military power within the Aztec civilization. Its strategic location and sophisticated infrastructure, including canals and chinampas (floating gardens), contributed significantly to its growth and success. The city's founding date is critical in understanding the rise of the Aztec Empire during the 14th century and its eventual expansion into a dominant force in Mesoamerica prior to Spanish contact.

The other cities mentioned—Teotihuacan, Chichen Itza, and Cuzco—were significant in their own rights but are not connected to the Aztec Empire in terms of capital status or founding date. Teotihuacan was a major pre-Aztec city known for its impressive architecture, but it had declined by the time the Aztec Empire was established. Chichen Itza is associated with the Maya civilization, and Cuzco was the capital of the Inca Empire, thus highlighting the importance of recognizing the distinct cultural and historical contexts of each civilization.