The description of natural area of the Valley of Mexico in missionaries histories of XVI century

new world, old traditions

Abstract

In this paper we present an analysis on the missionary stories written by friar Toribio of Motolinia, History of the Indians of New Spain, and friar Bernardino de Sahagún, General History of the things of New Spain, concerning their reports on the Valley of Mexico natural surroundings. These works were produced in the mid-sixteenth century, beginning of the Spanish colonization in New Spain. This way, their narratives focus on issues experienced during that historic event and on the European knowledge and thought of that period.