What was Mexico before it was named Mexico?

Answer 1

From 3000 BC until 1521 AD, all territories that conform present-day Mexico were inhabited by several tribes of Native Americans; some of them became full-fledged civilizations, such as the Olmecs, Zapotecs, Aztecs and Mayans. All of them had their own territories, which were named differently. For example, the Aztec Empire was ruled from its capital, Mexico-Tenochtitlan. On the contrary, the Mayan people were conformed by several city-states; each one with its own government. Some examples include Chichen-Itza, or Tulum.

When those lands were conquered by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, the new territories became part of the Viceroyalty of the New Spain, lasting until the end of the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821). At the end of such conflict, the New Spain became first the Mexican Empire (1821-1823) and then switched to the republic form of government, becoming the Mexican United States, or Mexico for short.