Why Yucatan?
Rated as one of the best places to live and invest in Mexico, Yucatan is one of the most culturally developed states in the whole country. Among the 32 Mexican states, Yucatan is one of the safest, cleanest and most attractive places to invest. It also has social and political stability.
Some facts and figures
About Mexico
The United Mexican States or commonly Mexico, is a country located in North America. It is bounded on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico. The United Mexican States comprise a constitutional republican federation of thirty-one states and a federal district, the capital, Mexico City, which is one of the most populous cities on Earth.
Covering almost 2 million square kilometers, Mexico is the fifth-largest country in the Americas by total area and the 14th largest in the world. With a population of 109 million, it is the 11th most populous country and the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world.
About Yucatan
The state of Yucatán is located in the north of the Yucatán Peninsula. The term, The Yucatán, refers to the three states on the peninsula: Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo. The capital of Yucatán is Mérida. It borders the states of Campeche to the southwest, Quintana Roo to the east and southeast, and the Gulf of Mexico to the north and west. As a whole, the state is extremely flat with little or no topographic variation, except for the puuc hills in the southwest part of the state.
The weather is warm-hot and humid, the average high temperature is 91 degrees Fahrenheit, and there is a rainy season from June through October.
The State of Yucatán is divided into 106 municipalities and the largest are Mérida, Maní, Motul, Muna, Progreso, Tekax, Ticul, Tizimín, Umán and Valladolid.
History
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.
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. In September 1821, México achieved independence from Spain, and Yucatán became part of independent México.
About Merida
Mérida is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Yucatán. It is located in the northwest part of the state, about 35 km (22 miles) from the Gulf of Mexico coast. Mérida is serviced by Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (IATA airport code: MID) with direct flights from Mexico City, Miami, Houston, Cancun, Villahermosa, etc.
Mérida was founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo, a Spanish Conquistador. The colonial city was built on the site of the Maya city of T'ho (also known as Ichcaanzihó or "city of the five hills", referring to five pyramids).
Much of Mérida's architecture from the Colonial period, through the 18th century and 19th century is still standing in the centro historico of the city. Late in the 19th century and the early 20th Century, the area surrounding Mérida prospered from the production of henequén (known as sisal in English, because it was exported from the port of Sisal, which was the most important port in the state). At one time, around the turn of the 20th Century, it is said that Merida had more millionaires than any other city in the world.
The result of the concentration of wealth can still be seen today in Merida. Many large and elaborate homes still line the main avenue of Paseo de Montejo, though few are occupied today by individual families. Now, those homes have been restored and serve as office buildings for banks and insurance companies. Merida has the second largest centro historico of any city in the Americas, surpassed only by Mexico City. Merida is the cultural and financial capital of the Yucatan Peninsula, as well as the capitol city of the state of Yucatan. Mérida has been nicknamed "The White City", for the common whitewash color of its buildings or the fact that the residents keep the city particularly clean.
Culture
As the state and regional capital, Merida is a cultural center, featuring multiple museums, art galleries, restaurants, movie theatres and shops. The famous avenue, Paseo de Montejo, is lined with ever changing original sculpture. Each year, the MACAY Museum in Merida mounts a new sculpture installation, featuring works from Mexico and one other chosen country. Each exhibit remains for ten months of the year. In 2007, sculptures on Paseo de Montejo feature works by artists from Mexico and Japan.
Mérida and the state of Yucatán have traditionally been isolated from the rest of the country by geography, creating a unique culture. The conquistadors found the Mayan culture to be incredibly resilient, and their attempts to eradicate Mayan tradition, religion and culture had only moderate success. The surviving remnants of the Mayan culture can be seen everyday, in speech, dress, and in both written and oral histories.
For English speakers or would-be speakers, Mérida has the Mérida English Library, a lending library with an extensive collection of English books, videos, tapes and children’s books. The library is also the site for expatriate meetings, children's storytelling hours and other cultural events. Merida also is home to the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra, which plays regular seasons at the beautiful Jose Peon Contreras Theatre on Calle 60, featuring classical music, jazz and opera.
Food
Yucatecan food has its own unique style and is very different from what most people consider "Mexican" food. It includes influences from the local Mayan culture, as well as Caribbean, Mexican, European and Middle Eastern cultures. There are many regional dishes like Poc Chuc, Salbutes and Panuchos, Queso, Pavo en Relleno Negro, Sopa de Lima and The internacional Cochinita Pibil.
Entertainment
Located on the beach. [more]
Located on the beach. [more]
Located on the beach. [more]
Located on the beach. [more]
Located on the city. [more]
