in the 15th century, the aztecs labeled the region of the totonac "totonacapan"; which then extended roughly from papantla in the north to cempoala in the south. totonacapan was largely hot and humid. along with the normal agricultural crops of maize, manioc, squash, beans, pumpkin and chili peppers, the region was noted for its production of liquid amber and cotton. even during the disastrous central mexican famine of 1450-1454, the region remained a reliable agricultural center. at that time, many aztecs were forced to sell themselves or their family members as slaves to the totonac in exchange for subsistence maize.