THE MAYA

Mayan culture has been in Central America for more than three thousand years. Its area of influence covers the South of Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and El Salvador. Its heyday was during the pre-Columbian era, mainly in the classic period (250-950 ad), when the ceremonial cities of Tikal, Palenque and Copán were built. After the arrival of the Spanish, the center of the Mayan culture was moved to the Highlands of Guatemala, where continues to survive. Today, more than 6 million people speak the Mayan language, which includes 22 dialects and many ethnic groups.

Cities like Zacualpa, Nebaj, Chichicastenango, or Santa Cruz del Quiché, to name a few, maintain a population entirely based on the social and cultural structure of the Maya, little influenced by todays prevailing globalization. Despite the enormous difficulties they had to endure their language and their traditions still persist in the enormous territory. Getting to know this world is a wonderful experience.