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Take a Trip to the Floating Gardens<\/h1>\n
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By Roshan Gopal, Shaye Kirman, Derek Tang, Joao Gasparian, Varun Gupta, Thierry Lawrence, Evan Song, Jagger Stachtiaris, and Chance Nalley<\/p>\n
New York City, NY, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, just outside Mexico City, are a testament to the ingenuity of pre-Hispanic Mexico<\/strong>. They have been honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Constructed by the Indigenous settlers of Xochimilco, the gardens flourished from the 10th until the 15th century before falling under the control of a neighboring city, Tenochtitlan, in 1430. In 1521, Spanish invaders conquered both cities. Despite these ownership changes, a portion of the gardens remains intact, delighting both locals and tourists alike.<\/p>\n Floating Farm Innovation<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Floating Gardens are composed of handmade islands known as chinampas<\/em>, which translates to \u201cin the fence of reeds\u201d in an Indigenous language. Traditionally, farmers would use stakes to outline plots in the lake\u2019s shallow waters, layering mud and vegetation within their perimeter. The resulting raised beds were fertile soil for planting and harvesting crops. Over time, as farmers built and expanded more chinampas, a network formed.<\/p>\n The chinampas were renowned for their productivity. Farmers used them to cultivate staple crops such as maize and beans, alongside squash, amaranth, tomatoes, chili peppers, and flowers. This agricultural system benefitted from a network of 150 canals, each 2.5 meters (m) wide, totaling over 80 kilometers in distance. The canals were essential in allowing easy access to the gardens and ensuring the crops received the necessary irrigation. They also facilitated trade throughout the Aztec Empire.<\/p>\n The design of the chinampas facilitated easy expansion. For instance, if an additional plot was needed, a farmer could simply lengthen his existing area by about 30 m and maintain the standard width of 2.5 m. This method meant that chinampa agriculture could adapt to the community\u2019s changing needs.<\/p>\n Chinampas Go Global<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Chinampas are not unique to Xochimilco. Residents of the Uros Islands of Peru\u2019s Lake Titicaca construct their version by stacking roots and reeds on top of each other. Their efforts yield solid platforms on top of the water. While the chinampas are generally rectangular, measuring 30 by 2.5 m, the Uros Islands are typically larger and more irregularly shaped.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A Haunting Attraction<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Today, the Floating Gardens contain approximately 5,000 chinampas. One of the most widely known is the Isla de las mu\u00f1ecas<\/em>, which, as its name suggests, is filled with hundreds of toy dolls. This spot gained fame when its caretaker began hanging dolls from trees as a tribute to a young girl who met a watery fate nearby. Over the years, the island has become adorned with a haunting collection of dolls, some weathered and misshapen. Its eerie allure intrigues visitors, who may leave behind their own offering.<\/p>\n Sadly, urban growth, invasive species, and insufficient government support have put the UNESCO status of the Floating Gardens at risk. Nonetheless, the surviving chinampas stand as a monument to the resourcefulness of the people of Xochimilco both past and present.<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Xochimilco-GMS-canal.jpeg” alt=”stilt fisherman in Sri Lanka” title_text=”Xochimilco GMS – 1″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Xochimilco-GMS-aerial.jpeg” alt=”Goats climbing argan trees in Morocco” title_text=”Xochimilco GMS – 2″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Sample Problems for Elementary School:<\/p>\n Sample Problems for Middle School:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Questions” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Mexico City is growing so much that illegal settlements are destroying hundreds of hectares of protected land. How can a society safeguard the cultural and environmental integrity of the chinampas while also providing its citizens with housing? Can urbanization happen sustainably?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Why is it significant that the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987? Do you think it should retain this designation?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Do some more research into the Island of the Dolls. What local legend sparked the tradition? What historical legends and traditions affect your life today?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Why were the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco such a resourceful innovation? Can you identify other communities around the world that live on bodies of water? What do these places have in common with the chinampas? How are they different?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Xochimilco-Mexico-dolls-GMS-.png\")
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