The Aztec civilization was a Mesoamerican civilization that flourished in central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th century. Here are some key aspects of Aztec society, culture, and achievements:

1. Location: The Aztec Empire was centered in the Valley of Mexico, specifically around Lake Texcoco, where their capital city, Tenochtitlan, was located. This area is present-day Mexico City.
2. Society: Aztec society was hierarchical, with a ruling class composed of nobles, priests, and warriors. Below them were commoners, including farmers, artisans, and traders. Slavery was also practiced, and slaves were often prisoners of war or criminals.
3. Religion: The Aztecs practiced a polytheistic religion, with a pantheon of gods and goddesses. Their most important deity was Huitzilopochtli, the god of sun and war, to whom they made human sacrifices. They believed that sacrifice was necessary to sustain the world and ensure the sun’s continued movement across the sky.
4. Architecture: The Aztecs were skilled architects and built impressive structures using stone, such as temples, palaces, and ball courts. The Templo Mayor, a large temple complex dedicated to multiple gods, was a prominent feature of their capital city.
5. Agriculture: Aztec agriculture was advanced and relied heavily on chinampas, artificial islands built on the lake’s surface for farming. They cultivated crops such as maize (corn), beans, squash, and chili peppers.
6. Trade: The Aztecs had an extensive trade network that allowed them to acquire goods such as jade, feathers, gold, and obsidian from distant regions. They used a barter system for trade, but also had a form of currency called cocoa beans.
7. Art and Craftsmanship: Aztec art was highly developed and included sculpture, painting, pottery, and intricate featherwork. They created impressive works depicting gods, animals, and everyday life.
8. Education and Writing: The Aztecs had a system of education that included schools for nobles and commoners. They also had a form of writing called hieroglyphics, which they used primarily for recording historical events and keeping records.
9. Conquest and Expansion: The Aztecs were skilled warriors and expanded their empire through conquest and alliances with neighboring city-states. However, their expansion also led to conflicts with other indigenous groups in the region.
10. Spanish Conquest: The Aztec Empire was conquered by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in the early 16th century. Factors such as superior weaponry, alliances with indigenous groups opposed to the Aztecs, and the spread of diseases like smallpox contributed to the downfall of the Aztec civilization.