Yucatán

Overview

Yucatán is one of the 31 states that, together with Mexico City, make up the 32 federal entities of Mexico. It has 106 separate municipalities, and its capital city is Mérida. The state is on the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula, with the Gulf of Mexico along its northern coast. It shares borders with the states of Campeche to the southwest and Quintana Roo to the southeast.

Ancient History

Long before Europeans arrived, the area was a key part of the Maya civilization. The Maya built famous cities such as Chichen Itza, Izamal, Motul, Mayapan, Ek' Balam, and Ichkanzihóo, which is now the site of Mérida.

Spanish Arrival and Independence

When the Spaniards arrived, they began the Spanish conquest of Yucatán. After Mexico gained independence in 1821, Yucatán first joined the First Mexican Empire and later the Federal Republic of United Mexican States. Yucatán declared independence twice, once in 1841 and again during a difficult time, before finally rejoining Mexico in 1848. Later, parts of Yucatán became the separate states of Campeche and Quintana Roo.

Etymology

See also: Yucatán Peninsula § Etymology

Before Spaniards arrived, the area was called Mayab. In the Yucatec Maya language, mayab means "flat." This is where the word "Maya" comes from.

The name Yucatán came from early explorers. Three ideas explain this. One idea says the Maya inhabitants answered the Spanish with uh yu ka t'ann, meaning hear how they talk. Another idea says they replied Ma'anaatik ka t'ann, meaning I do not understand you.

The third idea comes from Bernal Díaz del Castillo. He wrote that Yucatá means "land of yucas", a plant the Maya grew for food.

History

Pre-Columbian era

Main article: Maya civilization

People may have lived in the Yucatán area thousands of years ago. The Maya people arrived in the Yucatán Peninsula around 250 CE and built cities like Chichén Itzá, Izamal, and Mérida.

Exploration by Spanish soldiers

In 1517, Spanish explorer Francisco Hernández de Córdoba sailed from Cuba and reached the Yucatán Peninsula. This was the first time Europeans visited the area.

Spanish conquest

Main article: Spanish conquest of Yucatán

The Spanish conquest of Yucatán took place in the 1500s. Spanish leaders worked to control the area and built new cities using materials from old Maya buildings.

Canek rebellion, during the colonial Yucatán

Main article: Jacinto Canek

In 1761, a Maya leader named Jacinto Canek led a rebellion against Spanish rule. It was stopped quickly, showing tensions between local people and Spanish leaders.

Yucatán in independent Mexico

Main article: Mexican War of Independence

Yucatán became independent from Spain in 1821 and later joined Mexico. Sometimes it operated on its own, forming its own republic twice in the 1800s.

Republic of Yucatán

Main article: Republic of Yucatán

Yucatán declared itself a republic in 1823 and again in 1841. It had its own flag and government but eventually rejoined Mexico.

Flag of the Republic of Yucatán

Main article: Flag of the Republic of Yucatán

The flag of the Republic of Yucatán had green, red, and white sections with five stars.

Caste War

Main article: Caste War of Yucatán

From 1847 to 1901, a long conflict called the Caste War happened between Maya people and others. This war changed the region's borders and government.

The henequen industry

Main article: Henequen industry in Yucatán

In the late 1800s, Yucatán became known for growing henequen, a plant used to make rope. This brought wealth to the region and helped build buildings in Mérida. Workers from Korea also came to help.

Late 20th century

Yucatán connected more with the rest of Mexico in the mid-1900s through railways and highways. Airports opened in Cozumel and Cancún, making tourism important. Today, Yucatán is a popular place for visitors and home to many Maya people.

Geography

The State of Yucatán is on the Yucatán Peninsula. It touches Campeche to the southwest and Quintana Roo to the east and southeast. The Gulf of Mexico is to the north and west. The land in Yucatán is very flat, with only small changes in height. There are some hills called the Puuc in the southern part.

Demography

Largest cities

Languages

The most common local language in Yucatán is Yucatec Maya. Many people also speak Spanish, which has words from the Mayan language.

Korean immigration

In 1905, Korean immigrants came to Mérida after a long journey from Chemulpo. They worked on farms and later formed families and a new community.

Government and politics

Government

The Constitution of Yucatán says that the government of Yucatán, like all other states in Mexico, has three parts: the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary.

The executive power is held by the governor of Yucatán. The governor is chosen by the people through a secret vote for a six-year term and cannot be reelected. The legislative power is in the Congress of Yucatán, which is made up of 25 deputies in a single group. The judicial power is in the High Court of Justice of Yucatán and its smaller courts.

Municipalities

Main article: Municipalities of Yucatán

The State of Yucatán is split into 106 areas called municipalities. Each municipality has a municipal president, also known as a mayor. Most municipalities are named after the main city in that area. For example, the main city of the municipality of Mérida is the city of Mérida.

Politics

The 2024 local election in Yucatán happened on June 2. Joaquín Díaz Mena was chosen to become the new governor, replacing Mauricio Vila Dosal.

Media

Yucatán has many newspapers. Some of these are Artículo 7, De Peso (Mérida), Diario de Yucatán, La I Noticias para Mí Mérida, Milenio Novedades (Antes El Mundo al Día), and Por Esto! (Yucatán).

Food

Yucatecan food is special and different from most Mexican foods. It has influences from the local Maya culture and from other places like the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and other parts of Mexico.

There are many tasty dishes in this area, such as:

• Poc Chuc, a Maya-style barbecued pork.
• Salbutes and Panuchos. Salbutes are soft tortillas with lettuce, tomato, turkey, and avocado. Panuchos are fried tortillas filled with black beans and topped with turkey, chicken, lettuce, avocado, and pickled onions. Habanero chiles are often added to dishes, along with fresh limes and corn tortillas.
• Queso relleno, a dish with ground pork inside a carved Edam cheese ball, served with tomato sauce.
• Pavo en Relleno Negro, a turkey stew cooked with a special black paste made from roasted chiles.
• Sopa de Lima, a lime soup with meat like turkey, chicken, or pork, served with tortilla chips.
• Papadzules, egg tacos with pumpkin seed sauce and tomatoes.
• Cochinita Pibil, a famous marinated pork dish.
• Xcatik, a type of chili.
• Pavo en Relleno Blanco, a turkey stew similar to Pavo en Relleno Negro.
• Xnipec, a spicy salsa made with habanero chiles and Seville orange juice

Safety

See also: Yucatán State Police

Yucatán is one of the safest states in Mexico. In 2016, it was ranked among the safest by the Mexican National Public Security System. The U.S. advises its citizens to use normal precautions when visiting Yucatán and the nearby state of Campeche.

The Yucatán State Police keeps the state safe. It has been praised by many people, including former president Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, business owners, and the governor Ivonne Ortega Pacheco.