The Yucatan Peninsula

The Yucatan Peninsula sticks out from the southern part of Mexico. It separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea. Parts of Belize and Guatemala are also on the peninsula. Long ago, the ancient Mayan people built great cities here. Today, it is famous for its jungles, ruins, and white sandy beaches.

The Mayan Cities

The Mayan people lived on the Yucatan Peninsula over a thousand years ago. They built huge stone pyramids and cities in the middle of the jungle. One of the most famous is Chichen Itza, which has a big pyramid called El Castillo. The Maya were very smart. They studied the stars, made a calendar, and had their own kind of writing. Their stone cities are still standing today.

Cenotes and Caves

The Yucatan Peninsula has special pools of water called cenotes. A cenote is a deep sinkhole with fresh water inside. They were made when parts of the ground caved in over underground caves. The Maya believed cenotes were sacred. Today, people love to swim in the clear, cool water. The peninsula also has the world's longest underwater cave system.

Fun Facts

• A giant meteor hit the Yucatan Peninsula 66 million years ago and helped wipe out the dinosaurs.
• There are around 6,000 cenotes on the peninsula.
• Cancun, a famous beach city, is on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Did You Know?

The name 'Yucatan' may have come from a mix-up when Spanish explorers asked the locals what the land was called and did not understand the answer.