In the 15th century, Spain and Portugal divided territories they had rediscovered in the Americas between them. Christopher Columbus sailed from Spain in 1492 and arrived in the Americas, encountering three major indigenous tribes: the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas. The Spanish later fought wars against these tribes to gain control over their lands and establish colonies. Major cities of these civilizations included Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City) of the Aztecs, sites of the advanced Mayan writing system, and Machu Picchu of the largest Inca Empire. Spain went on to form institutions to control its new American colonies from Sevilla and defend its territories against other European powers.