Mexico

When Christopher Columbus discovered the “New World” of America for Spain in 1492, the continent already possessed its own civilisations and cultures that were older and richer than many European countries.

Columbus and his fellow Europeans did history a great disservice by erroneously calling the native Americans collectively as “Indians”, in the mistaken belief that they had reached the shores of the Indies (which included the Indian sub continent and South East Asia), which would lead them to the riches of China.

Unfortunately for posterity, this misnomer has stood uncorrected since then.

At the beginning of the 16th century, the Mexican Empire under the Aztecs had an estimated population of 25 millions – three times that of Spain. It had virtually no contact with countries outside the American continent.

Its capital, Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City), was bigger and more established than most European cities.

It had an unusually large population approaching 300,000.

It boasted a sophisticated and vibrant city centre replete with palaces, elegant residences and imposing temples and pyramids, surrounded by a beautiful lake.

Spain and Portugal were then the leading maritime powers in Europe.

It was the Age of Discovery as Europe emerged from the Dark Ages into the revitalising era of the Renaissance.

At the urging of the Vatican and through its influence, the two contending powers settled their intense rivalry in their quest for terra incognito, the unknown territories .

With the blessings of the Pope, they agreed to divide up their spheres of exploration and colonisation within which the other power would not intrude.