Approximately 65 million years ago, the dinosaurs became extinct during the Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction event, which marks the end of the Mesozoic Era and the beginning of the Cenozoic Era. This was partly caused by asteroid fragments that impacted on the Earth and formed also the Chicxulub crater.

Before the arrival of the Spanish in the area, Yucatán was the home of the Maya civilization, and in particular the Yucatecan Maya people. Archaeological remains show ceremonial architecture dating back some 3000 years; some Maya hieroglyphic inscriptions found in the area date back to the Maya Preclassic period (200 B.C.). Maya cities of Yucatán continued to flourish after the central and southern lowland Classic period Maya cities collapsed (c. A.D. 900), including the Puuc flouresence during the Terminal Classic, the rise of Chichen Itza at roughly the same time, and the subsequent rise of other sites, such as Mayapan, during the Postclassic. Several sites continued to be occupied up to and beyond the 16th century arrival of the Spanish. The ruins of well over a hundred Maya sites of varying sizes can still be found on the peninsula, such as Chichen Itza and Uxmal, though most sites have not been extensively investigated. Other important ancient Maya cities were built over by the Spanish, and their sites are still occupied today, such as Izamal (Itsmal in Yucatecan Maya) and Mérida (T’ho in Yucatecan Maya).

Until the mid-20th century most of Yucatán’s contact with the outside world was by sea; trade with the USA and Cuba, as well as Europe and other Caribbean islands, was more significant than that with the rest of Mexico. In the 1950s Yucatán was linked to the rest of Mexico by railway, followed by highway in the 1960s, ending the region’s comparative isolation. Today Yucatán still demonstrates a unique culture from the rest of Mexico, including its own style of food. The first Maya governor of Yucatán, Francisco Luna Kan, was elected in 1976. Today, the Yucatán Peninsula is a major tourism destination, as well as home to one of the largest indigenous populations in Mexico, the Maya people. Wikipedia

A colonial city and capital of the state of Yucatán, Mérida has a lot to offer travelers who love culture, cities, history, and nature. It is an excellent base for visiting some of the peninsula’s prestigious archaeological sites including Chichen Itzá, Uxmal, Ek Balam, and Dzibilchaltún. Aside from being a good base for excursions, Mérida offers countless cultural activities, many of which are free. On Saturday evenings and Sunday, the streets surrounding the main plaza are closed to traffic for music and cultural displays. There are theatrical and musical performances at Teatro Peón Contreras and do not miss the archaeological museum on Paseo de Montejo, a wide boulevard lined with mansions built during the late-19th and early-20th centuries. The main plaza is a beautiful place to relax or explore the contemporary art museum, cathedral, cultural center, and Casa de Montejo. Mérida offers a glimpse into both the peninsula’s Mayan past and its lively, friendly, and very Mexican present.

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