Which statement describes the size of Tenochtitlan relative to European cities?

Which statement describes the size of Tenochtitlan relative to European cities?

• A. Smaller than any city in Europe
• B. Bigger than any city in Europe
• C. Similar in size to Paris
• D. Roughly the size of a town

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is recognizing how big a major pre-Columbian city could be compared to contemporary European urban centers. Tenochtitlan, built on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco, grew into a sprawling metropolis with dense neighborhoods, grand temples, a vast central market, and sophisticated water transport via canals and causeways. Estimates place its population around two hundred thousand to perhaps three hundred thousand at its height, making it one of the world’s largest cities of that era. European cities at the time—while impressive and influential—usually did not reach that scale in population or urban footprint. Even well-known capitals like Paris or London fell short of matching Tenochtitlan’s size in many estimates, especially when considering the overall urban density and infrastructure. That combination of a very large population and a highly developed urban core is what makes the statement that it was bigger than any city in Europe the best description. The other options imply the city was smaller, similar in size to Paris, or just a town, which conflicts with the substantial urban layout and population Tenochtitlan supported.

The main idea here is recognizing how big a major pre-Columbian city could be compared to contemporary European urban centers. Tenochtitlan, built on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco, grew into a sprawling metropolis with dense neighborhoods, grand temples, a vast central market, and sophisticated water transport via canals and causeways. Estimates place its population around two hundred thousand to perhaps three hundred thousand at its height, making it one of the world’s largest cities of that era.

European cities at the time—while impressive and influential—usually did not reach that scale in population or urban footprint. Even well-known capitals like Paris or London fell short of matching Tenochtitlan’s size in many estimates, especially when considering the overall urban density and infrastructure. That combination of a very large population and a highly developed urban core is what makes the statement that it was bigger than any city in Europe the best description.

The other options imply the city was smaller, similar in size to Paris, or just a town, which conflicts with the substantial urban layout and population Tenochtitlan supported.