Azteca
Azteca is the Spanish word for Aztec. In English, ''Azteca'' or ''Aztecas'' may refer to:Animals
Azteca ants
The genus Azteca belongs to the subfamily Dolichoderinae and the tribe Leptomyrmecini within the family Formicidae.[1] It was established by Swiss myrmecologist Auguste Forel in 1878, with the type species Azteca xanthochroa (originally described as Liometopum xanthochroum by Gustav Mayr in 1870).[1] The genus encompasses over 80 described extant species, though taxonomic revisions continue due to historical confusion from worker-only descriptions and morphological variability.[2][3] Azteca ants are characterized by polymorphic workers, which vary in size and exhibit a thin, flexible cuticle, with larger individuals often having a cordate head shape and mandibles bearing 7–9 teeth.[3] Queens are winged and morphologically more stable than workers, aiding in species identification.[2] Their diet is generalized and opportunistic, including plant sap (primarily honeydew from tended coccoid Hemiptera such as mealybugs and scale insects), small arthropods, and occasionally fungi cultivated in nests.[3][4] These ants are strictly arboreal, constructing nests in living or dead wood, carton material, or hollow stems within tropical forest canopies.[2] They play a significant ecological role through mutualistic associations with myrmecophytic plants, particularly species of Cecropia, where at least 13 Azteca species obligately inhabit the plants' domatia (hollow internodes).[5] In this symbiosis, the ants receive shelter and food bodies (protein-rich structures called Müllerian bodies) from the plants, while aggressively defending them against herbivores, thereby reducing leaf damage by up to 90% in some cases.[6][7] Azteca ants are distributed across the Neotropics, ranging from southern Mexico through Central America to northern Argentina, with highest diversity in lowland wet forests.[3]Azteca horse
The Azteca horse is a breed developed in Mexico during the 1970s, marking the first equine breed created in the country.[8] It originated from the vision of Antonio Ariza Cañadilla, who began crossbreeding at Rancho San Antonio near Texcoco de Mora, starting with the first foal, Casarejo, born in 1972 to a Spanish Andalusian stallion and a Quarter Horse mare.[9] The breed combines Iberian horses such as Andalusians and Lusitanos with Colonial Spanish horses or Quarter Horses, resulting in a versatile stock horse with specific bloodline ratios: typically 3/8 to 5/8 Andalusian or Quarter Horse, and no more than 1/4 Criollo.[8] The Mexican government officially recognized the Azteca as the national horse breed on November 4, 1982, through the Department of Agriculture, and it is overseen by the Asociación Mexicana de Criadores de Caballos de Raza Azteca (AMCCRA).[9][10] Physically, the Azteca exhibits a muscular yet elegant build suited to its dual heritage, with females standing 14.1 to 15.2 hands high and males 14.2 to 15.3 hands.[8] It features a lean head with a straight or slightly convex profile, expressive eyes, a medium muzzle, an arched neck, broad chest, powerful hindquarters, straight legs, and strong joints, all contributing to its balanced conformation.[8][9] Common coat colors include bay, black, chestnut, and gray, with a silky texture; spotted patterns like paint or appaloosa are not permitted in the purebred registry.[8] Known for its intelligence, agility, and endurance, the Azteca excels in diverse roles, including ranch work, charreada (traditional Mexican equestrian events), cutting, reining, dressage, show jumping, and trail riding.[9][8] Its lively yet obedient temperament makes it ideal for skilled riders in both Western and English disciplines, blending the Andalusian's grace with the Quarter Horse's athleticism and cow sense.[11] A subtype, the American Azteca, emerged in the United States during the 1990s, adapting the breed by incorporating American Paint Horse bloodlines while maintaining core traits.[8] It is registered separately by the American Azteca Horse Association, emphasizing versatility for American equestrian sports.[11]Games
Azteca (Wizard101)
Azteca is a fictional world within the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) Wizard101, developed by KingsIsle Entertainment. Introduced in the November 2012 update, it serves as a high-level expansion accessible to wizards who have reached level 80 and completed the main questline in the preceding world of Avalon.[12] The world draws loose inspiration from ancient Mesoamerican cultures, featuring pyramid structures, dense jungles, and mythological elements reimagined in a fantasy context.[13] Players explore Azteca as student wizards from the Ravenwood School of Magical Arts, venturing into this lost realm to aid its inhabitants and thwart cosmic threats.[14] The setting of Azteca portrays an ancient island in the game's universe known as the Spiral, depicted as a fragment of the primordial First World devastated by a comet called Xibalba approximately ten years prior to the narrative events. This cataclysm drove the native Aztecosaurs—intelligent, dinosaur-like beings considered the oldest race in the Spiral—underground into mines and tombs for survival, leaving the surface in ruins amid ongoing peril from undead forces and the Umbra Legion.[15] Central to the lore is the antagonist Morganthe, a powerful shadow wizard seeking to harness forbidden Aztecosaur necromancy to resurrect the nine Lords of the Night and manipulate astral magic, ultimately aiming to rewrite the Spiral's foundational Song of Creation. Wizards must navigate this doomed kingdom under the rule of a young, untested king, confronting themes of loss, resurrection, and cosmic doom.[14] Gameplay in Azteca focuses on quest-driven exploration and turn-based combat for levels 80 to 90, emphasizing prolonged battles against undead minions, mythical beasts, and multi-school bosses that introduce new challenges like high health pools and spell synergies. Key locations include the bustling Zocalo as the central hub for quests and vendors, the sandy expanses of the Churning Sands for environmental puzzles and encounters, and the foreboding depths of Xibalba, a major boss instance tied to the comet's impact and final confrontations. Players collect lore snippets about Aztec-inspired deities through interactions and defeats, integrating narrative depth into the progression. The update also raised the level cap to 90, adding rank 10 damage spells and astral magic variants to enhance strategic depth.[12][14] Unique features of Azteca include collectible mounts such as serpentine creatures evoking feathered serpent iconography, which provide speed boosts and thematic flair, alongside gear sets adorned with motifs of scales, feathers, and ancient runes for defensive and offensive bonuses. These elements tie into the broader Spiral mythology by revealing origins of the universe's ancient races and magic systems, positioning Azteca as a pivotal chapter in the ongoing struggle against shadow forces across worlds.[13][15]Azteca (puzzle game)
Azteca is a match-3 puzzle video game developed by Intenium and published by Big Fish Games, released on December 24, 2006, for personal computers.[16][17] In this casual adventure, players assist an ancient Aztec civilization by solving tile-matching puzzles to reveal hidden messages and prevent catastrophe, blending strategic gameplay with thematic immersion in Mesoamerican lore.[18] The game emerged during the early 2000s surge in downloadable casual titles, contributing to the popularity of accessible puzzle experiences.[19] The plot centers on a quest to save the Aztecs from doom by uncovering divine wisdom inscribed on stones within ancient temples and jungle settings. Players act as an explorer who deciphers secrets through puzzle-solving, gradually revealing a narrative of lost knowledge from the gods that holds the key to the tribe's survival. This storyline unfolds progressively across levels, emphasizing mystery and cultural motifs without complex character development.[19][20] Gameplay revolves around a unique rotating mechanic on hexagonal grids filled with colored, lettered stones, where players rotate clusters clockwise to align three or more matching tiles, clearing them to form words like "basalt" or "stile" that contribute to overarching messages. The game features over 150 levels with increasing difficulty, including environmental challenges such as color-shifting tiles, glass barriers, and lava fields, alongside time limits and boss-like puzzles that demand tactical planning. Power-ups, including explosive stones and flaming bolts, aid in clearing boards efficiently, while bonuses reward quick completions, fostering addictive sessions despite a generally relaxed pace.[19][21][20] Available exclusively for Windows PCs via digital download, Azteca was praised for its sparkling Aztec-themed graphics, ambient sound design evoking temple atmospheres, and innovative puzzle twists that set it apart from standard match-3 formats.[18][19] However, reception noted criticisms of repetitive later levels, occasional performance slowdowns on period hardware, and a lack of deeper challenge, earning a mixed score of 60 out of 100 in contemporary reviews.[19] It exemplifies the early casual gaming trend, where Aztec imagery influenced numerous puzzle titles for thematic appeal.[19]Azteca (board game)
Azteca is a strategy board game designed by Pascal Bernard and first published in 1998 by Tilsit Éditions, simulating the conquest and political intrigue among Aztec city-states in the Valley of Mexico during the height of the Aztec Empire.[22] Players take on the roles of rival peoples such as the Aztecs, Toltecs, Chichimecs, or Tepanecs, managing resources and military forces to offer sacrifices to the god Quetzalcoatl while racing against the destructive force of Tezcatlipoca.[23] The game blends historical themes of Mesoamerican expansion and ritual sacrifice with accessible Eurogame elements like card-driven actions and area control, supporting 2 to 4 players aged 12 and older, with a typical playtime of 90 minutes.[22] In gameplay, players expand their influence through a combination of alliances, wars, and resource management, using tribute tokens representing maize, cacao, and jade to fund expeditions, build temples, and incite rebellions in rival territories.[24] Each round consists of eight phases, including drawing event cards that introduce random challenges like floods or divine interventions, army movements across the board's regions, and battles resolved with dice and troop counters.[23] Pochteca (merchant) missions allow for diplomatic maneuvers or economic sabotage, adding layers of indirect strategy beyond direct combat.[22] The core components include a mounted board illustrating the Valley of Mexico and the central Pyramid of the Gods, a deck of 55 event and action cards, wooden pieces for armies, generals, pochteca figures, and temples, sets of sacrifice urns, a die for combat, and bags of resource tokens.[24] Player aids and army organization sheets help track tribute and forces, while counters for Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca mark progress on the pyramid track.[23] The objective is to accumulate the most sacrifice points by controlling cities, constructing pyramids, and fulfilling prophetic events, with the winner being the player who advances Quetzalcoatl to the golden temple before Tezcatlipoca reaches the underworld; failure by all players results in collective loss.[22] An English-language edition was released in 2000 by Clash of Arms Games, adapting the original French version without expansions, and it has been praised for balancing historical flavor—drawing from Aztec conquest dynamics—with streamlined mechanics suitable for strategy enthusiasts.[25]Sports
Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca, located in Mexico City, is a multi-purpose stadium that opened on May 29, 1966, just ahead of the 1968 Summer Olympics.[26] Designed by Mexican architects Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and Rafael Mijares Alcérreca, it features an elliptical concrete structure built using over 180 million rocks excavated from the site, making it one of the world's largest soccer-specific stadiums with a capacity of 83,000 spectators as of November 2025.[26][27][28][29] The venue serves as the primary home for Club América of Liga MX and the Mexico national football team, hosting regular domestic and international matches.[30] Owned by Grupo Ollamani—a company spun off from Televisa in 2024—the stadium underwent a naming rights agreement in March 2025, becoming Estadio Banorte to fund ongoing renovations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[31][32] These upgrades, supported by a 2.1 billion peso loan from Banorte, aim to increase capacity to around 90,000 while preserving the original architecture and adding modern amenities like improved seating, suites, and accessibility features to meet FIFA standards; renovations continue as of November 2025.[33][34][35] The stadium has a storied history in global football, uniquely hosting the finals of two FIFA World Cups in 1970 and 1986, as well as the opening match of the 2026 tournament.[29] Iconic moments include Pelé's final World Cup appearance and Brazil's 4–1 victory over Italy in the 1970 final, and Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal during the 1986 quarterfinal against England, followed by Argentina's 3–2 win over West Germany in the final.[36][30] It has also hosted multiple Copa América tournaments and finals, contributing to its legacy as a premier venue for international competitions.[37] Architecturally, the elliptical bowl-shaped design emphasizes open-air visibility and natural light, with its reinforced concrete framework symbolizing Mexico's post-war modernization efforts. Renovations in the early 2000s modernized facilities, while current work reinforces the structure without altering its historic exterior, ensuring it remains a functional icon for future events.[35] Beyond sports, Estadio Azteca holds profound cultural significance as a symbol of Mexican football heritage, drawing over a million visitors annually for tours and events.[38] It has hosted landmark non-sporting spectacles, including five sold-out concerts by Michael Jackson during his 1993 Dangerous World Tour, attracting 550,000 fans, and multiple performances by U2, underscoring its role as a global entertainment hub.[39]Adidas Azteca
The Adidas Azteca was released in 1986 as the official match ball for the FIFA World Cup hosted in Mexico.[40] It featured a design consisting of 32 hand-stitched polyurethane panels arranged in a traditional truncated icosahedron pattern, with a white base accented by black and multicolored pentagons depicting sinuous motifs.[41] These patterns drew inspiration from ancient Aztec architecture, including pyramid steps and sun symbols, reflecting the host nation's cultural heritage.[42] A key innovation of the Azteca was its status as the first fully synthetic FIFA World Cup match ball, constructed entirely from polyurethane rather than leather, which provided enhanced durability and significantly reduced water absorption compared to previous models.[40] This thermal bonding process improved the ball's performance in varying weather conditions, marking a shift toward modern materials that prioritized consistency and longevity.[42] The design and construction emphasized flight stability, making it suitable for high-level play.[43] The Azteca was used in all 52 matches of the 1986 World Cup, including those at Estadio Azteca.[42] It gained prominence during Argentina's quarter-final victory over England, where Diego Maradona scored two iconic goals—the controversial "Hand of God" handball and the mesmerizing "Goal of the Century" solo run—both struck with the Azteca.[44] Players and officials praised its true flight and responsive touch, though some noted minor inconsistencies in wet conditions despite the improved resistance.[40] The Azteca's legacy endures as one of soccer's most recognizable match balls, symbolizing the 1986 tournament's drama and innovation; the specific ball from Maradona's "Hand of God" goal fetched $2.4 million at auction in 2022.[45] Adidas re-released commemorative editions, including a 2016 version marking the 30th anniversary, and its synthetic construction influenced subsequent World Cup balls by establishing polyurethane as the standard material.[42] Official production occurred in France, ensuring quality control for the tournament.[43]Aztecas de la UDLAP
The Aztecas de la UDLAP are the collegiate athletic teams representing Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP), a private institution located in San Andrés Cholula, Puebla, Mexico. The program competes in the Comisión Nacional Deportiva Estudiantil de Instituciones Particulares (CONADEIP), the governing body for sports among Mexico's private universities, where it participates across multiple disciplines.[46] Although the university traces its origins to 1940 as Mexico City College, the Aztecas teams have been active since the late 1940s, with significant development following the institution's relocation to Puebla in 1970 and alignment with CONADEIP structures in the 1980s.[47] The Aztecas program encompasses a range of sports, including American football (in both flag and tackle variants), basketball, volleyball, soccer, track and field (athletics), and taekwondo. The mascot, an Aztec warrior, symbolizes the cultural roots of the region and inspires team identity. These teams emphasize holistic student development, balancing rigorous athletic training with academic commitments, and participate in international opportunities such as the World University Championships.[46] The Aztecas have achieved notable success in CONADEIP competitions, particularly in American football, where the team secured national championships in 2013 and 2014, defeating rivals like the Borregos Salvajes in title games.[46][48] Other highlights include women's soccer national championships in 2013 and 2015; men's volleyball in 2016; and consistent taekwondo titles for the men's team from 2014 to 2017. Athletics squads have earned multiple medals in national events, such as eight golds at the 2013 Puebla State Olympics. As of 2025, the Aztecas continue to compete strongly in CONADEIP, reaching semifinals in American football. These accomplishments underscore the program's competitive standing within Mexican collegiate sports.[46][49] The teams utilize UDLAP's modern sports complex, which includes dedicated fields for soccer and football, indoor gyms for basketball and volleyball, and an outdoor track for athletics. Central to the facilities is the Estadio Templo del Dolor, a 4,500-seat stadium primarily used for American football games and other major events.[46] Student involvement is substantial, with hundreds of athletes across disciplines fostering leadership and discipline; the program supports academic-athletic integration through scholarships and exchange initiatives that promote global exposure.[46]Transport
Azteca-class patrol vessel
The Azteca-class patrol vessels are a series of coastal patrol boats operated by the Mexican Navy (Armada de México) primarily for inshore maritime security duties. Constructed mainly during the 1970s, the class originally consisted of 31 units, with the first entering service in 1974 and the last in 1982; as of 2025, 20 vessels remain active. These boats were developed to enhance Mexico's coastal defense capabilities, focusing on fishery protection, search and rescue (SAR), and general patrol operations in shallow waters along the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific coasts.[50][51] The vessels were built through a collaboration between British and Mexican shipbuilders, with the initial 21 units constructed in the United Kingdom by yards such as Ailsa Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in Troon, Scotland (which produced 11 boats), Scott & Sons in Bowling, and Lamont & Co. Ltd., while the remaining 10 were assembled at Mexican Navy facilities. This partnership reflected Mexico's efforts to modernize its fleet with foreign expertise while building domestic shipbuilding capacity. The design emphasizes versatility for near-shore environments, featuring a robust steel hull suitable for rough coastal conditions and a relatively shallow draft for accessing inshore areas.[52][51] Key specifications include an overall length of 34.4 meters, a beam of 8.7 meters, a draft of 2.2 meters, and a full-load displacement of approximately 148 tons. Propulsion is provided by two Paxman 12YJCM diesel engines producing 2,900 brake horsepower, driving twin propellers to achieve a maximum speed of 24 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots; endurance is supported by fuel capacity for extended patrols. The standard crew complement is 21 personnel, with no significant troop transport capability. Armament typically consists of one 40 mm L/60 Bofors gun, one 20 mm Oerlikon GAM-B01 cannon, and two 12.7 mm machine guns, enabling anti-piracy, anti-surface, and limited anti-air roles. Several units, including ARM Guzmán (PC-209), ARM Múgica (PC-216), ARM Tamaulipas (PC-223), and ARM Puebla (PC-228), underwent remotorization in the 1990s–2000s, replacing the original engines with more efficient Caterpillar 3512B diesels to extend service life and improve reliability.[50][53][51] In operations, the Azteca-class vessels support the Mexican Navy's broader maritime security strategy, including drug interdiction, illegal fishing enforcement, and SAR missions in territorial waters. They have been deployed extensively for coastal surveillance in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Pacific seaboard, contributing to counter-narcotics efforts and environmental protection. The first vessel, ARM Córdova (PC-202), was commissioned on 6 January 1974, marking the class's entry into service; early units like ARM Andrés Quintana Roo (P-01) and ARM Mazatlán de Córdoba (P-02) were decommissioned in 1973 after initial trials, but the core fleet has seen incremental upgrades to integrate with modern naval surveillance systems. Despite their age, these boats remain a cost-effective backbone for inshore patrols, supplementing larger offshore vessels in Mexico's fleet.[50][54][51]| Vessel Name | Pennant Number | Commissioned | Status (as of 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARM Córdova | PC-202 | 6 Jan 1974 | Active |
| ARM Rayón | PC-206 | 1 Jun 1975 | Active |
| ARM Rejón | PC-207 | 1 Jun 1975 | Active |
| ARM De la Fuente | PC-208 | 1 Jun 1975 | Active |
| ARM Guzmán* | PC-209 | 1 Jun 1975 | Active |
| ARM Ramírez* | PC-210 | 1 Jun 1975 | Active |
| ARM Mariscal | PC-211 | 25 Dec 1975 | Active |
| ARM Jara | PC-212 | 25 Dec 1975 | Active |
| ARM Colima | PC-214 | 1976 | Active |
| ARM Lizardi | PC-215 | 1976 | Active |
| ARM Múgica* | PC-216 | 1976 | Active |
| ARM Velazco | PC-218 | 1976 | Active |
| ARM Macías | PC-220 | 1976 | Active |
| ARM Tamaulipas* | PC-223 | 1976 | Active |
| ARM Yucatán | PC-224 | 1976 | Active |
| ARM Tabasco | PC-225 | 1976 | Active |
| ARM Cochimí | PC-226 | 1976 | Active |
| ARM Puebla* | PC-228 | 1 Aug 1982 | Active |
| ARM Vicario | PC-230 | 1982 | Active |
| ARM Ortiz | PC-231 | 1982 | Active |