Cahokia

Cahokia is a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican city located in present-day Illinois, across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. Cahokia was the largest and most influential city in the Mississippian culture, which developed in the Illiniois River Valley from 700-1000 CE. At its peak, Cahokia had a population of over 20,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in North America at the time. The city was home to a number of political, economic, and religious institutions, and its architecture and art reflect the city's status and wealth. Cahokia was a center of trade and interaction between the Mississippian culture and other Mesoamerican cultures, and it played a significant role in the spread of Mississippian culture throughout the region. The city was abandoned around 1400 CE, likely due to environmental factors, and today it is a World Heritage Site.