The Tarascan State, also known as the Purépecha Empire, was a pre-Columbian civilization located in present-day Michoacán, Mexico. It thrived from the 14th to the 16th centuries and was known for its advanced metallurgy, particularly in working with copper and bronze. The Tarascans developed a unique culture, distinct from their neighboring Aztec civilization, and established a complex political structure. The capital of the Tarascan State was Tzintzuntzan, situated on the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro. The society was organized into various clans, each led by a chief, and they engaged in agriculture, fishing, and trade. The Tarascan State was notable for its resistance to Aztec expansion, maintaining its independence until the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century.