Mexico City's Xochimilco and Chinampas

The video explores the historical and cultural significance of Xochimilco's chinampas, highlighting their role in agriculture and Mexican cuisine. It discusses the impact of Aztec and Spanish conquests, traditional farming techniques, and modern challenges. The video emphasizes the importance of preserving chinampas to prevent ecological disaster and suggests potential solutions for their rehabilitation.

What is the primary historical significance of Xochimilco?

• A place for modern housing

• A tourist destination for party boats

• A site of ancient manmade islands and agricultural engineering

• A location for industrial development

What percentage of Xochimilco's land has been lost to housing encroachment over the last 30 years?

• 75%

• 50%

• 10%

• 25%

Who is Ricardo Rodriguez?

• A historian documenting Xochimilco

• An activist connecting farmers with chefs and tourists

• A tourist guide

• A local government official

Which flower is known as one of the more authentic ingredients in Mexican cuisine?

• Squash blossom (flor de calabaza)

• Sunflower

• Rose

• Daisy

What was maize originally known as?

• Tortilla

• Tamale

• Chinampa

• Teosinte

What significant event happened in 1519 in Xochimilco?

• The Toltecs invented chinampas

• The Spanish conquistadors conquered the city

• The city was abandoned

• The Aztecs conquered the city

Who invented the chinampas?

• The Toltecs

• The Mayans

• The Aztecs

• The Spanish

What is the term used by Mesoamericans to describe interconnected farming techniques?

• Chinampas

• Milpas

• Polyculture

• Monoculture

What would happen if the chinampas were abandoned?

• Housing prices would drop

• Tourism would increase

• The city would become more developed

• The canals would dry up and ecological disaster would ensue

What have laboratory studies shown about damaged chinampas?

• They are beyond repair

• Harmful pesticides can be removed and they are resilient

• They are not affected by pesticides

• They cannot be rehabilitated