[2] These questionnaires had upward of fifty questions that requested information on various aspects of the Spanish colonial life in each region or major town, in order to govern it more effectively.
These questionnaires are oftentimes considered the first statistical study of the New World, since they attempted to chart the lands, peoples, and trade routes.
[4] These extensive questionnaires have provided incredibly rich information with regard to 16th century ethnic groups in Mesoamerica.
These questionnaires included questions regarding politics, taxes paid, the natural environment and resources, population history, settlement patterns, the language, markets and trade, native history and customs, maps, and the progress of the missionary work program.
Along with this, since all people were allowed to send in a map it showed the bias of each social class and represented common issues of the time.