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| by Emily Brown King, Demand Media / USA TODAY.COM |
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Overview
The Mayan Riviera region of Mexico is a popular tourist spot. People from all over the world come to visit the tropical beaches and soak up the area’s rich and colorful history. -
Mayan People
The Mayan Riviera is named for the Maya who settled in the area. The Mayan civilization has been around for thousands of years. They were an extremely advanced civilization that made great advancements in engineering, mathematics, astronomy and writing. -
Chichen Itza
One of the most notable achievements of the Maya was the great temples they built without the aid of wheels or pack animals. It is a mystery as to how they achieved such feats, and the temples at Chichen Itza have become one of the Seven Wonders of the World. -
Conquest
In the 1500s, the Spanish began to conquer parts of the Caribbean. It took a little over a year to conquer the great and powerful Aztecs, but it took nearly 20 years for the Maya to succumb. -
Mexican Independence
Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821 and the Maya suffered much hardship because of it. Their ancestral claims to land were disregarded and many of them became slaves to the new land owners. -
Rebellion
In 1847, the Maya rebelled against their masters in the Caste War. The Maya were successful until an omen forced them to abandon the acquired land. The Mexican army drove the Maya out, and after several years the Maya surrendered. -
Today
The Mayan culture is still alive today in the Yucatan Peninsula. The 1930s brought land reform and aid to the poor people of the area. The people have benefited greatly from the development of Cancun and many make a living in the tourism industry.
