Anyone wanting to see more of the Floating Gardens of Mexico can see them
in their modern form in Mexico City, as they have continued right there since the Aztecs or even someone earlier built them in the first place. What an amazing idea, and one of the great visions of an earlier world:
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XOCHIMILCO Mexico's Floating Gardens
XOCHIMILCO
When visiting Mexico City, there is an abundance of day trips to choose from when planning your activities. A fantastic destination to explore can be found just outside the city. This is where the historic canals of Xochimilco (so-chee-mil-co) are located. In Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, Xochimilco means "garden of flowers". Enjoyed by foreigners and nationals alike, this magical location dates back several centuries.
Miles of canals dot the landscape in Xochimilco, enchanting the senses with their natural beauty. Flat-bottomed boats called trajineras travel these waters, as they have for hundreds of years. Produce and flowers grow in abundance in this exotic atmosphere. What makes Xochimilco so fascinating is its embodiment of traditional Mexican culture. These canals and gardens represent a living example of an ingenious agricultural practice that was invented long ago.
The Xochimilca people settled in the Valley of Mexico between the eighth and tenth centuries. One of the key challenges for these early inhabitants were the vast amount of wetlands that the area possessed. Traditional farming methods were not conducive in this setting. To surmount the obstacles this water-filled environment presented, the Xochimilca came up with a creative solution.
Postcard View of Xochimilco from the '50s
Using available resources, these settlers built chinampas (floating gardens) on the surface waters of Lake Xochimilco. Using cane structures, mud was placed inside these containers and were anchored in position by trees lining the shore. Fertilizer was culled from the floor of the lake bed which was rich in aquatic mulch. Flowers, fruits and vegetables grew abundantly using this successful farming method.
The Xochimilca people who established these chinampas were ultimately conquered by the Aztecs, who in turn utilized these floating gardens to feed their growing empire. During its height, the chinampa system extended over 22,000 acres of wetlands and provided food for tens of thousands of people. The canals were built to navigate the chinampas and to provide a transportation corridor which brought produce to the Aztec Empire.
More:
http://www.mexonline.com/history-xochimilco.htm
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So many more images:
https://tinyurl.com/uxzc9tk
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