A chinampa is a type of agricultural system used in ancient Mesoamerica, particularly by the Aztecs. It involves creating floating gardens on shallow lake beds. Farmers would build rectangular plots of land by piling up mud, vegetation, and other organic materials, which allowed crops to grow in nutrient-rich soil. Chinampas were highly productive and supported the dense population of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital. This method of farming enabled the cultivation of various crops, including maize, beans, and squash. The chinampa system is considered an early form of sustainable agriculture, as it maximized land use and minimized environmental impact.