Empire · 2000 BCE – 1697 CE · Southern North America

Maya civilisation

Also known as Maya chiefdoms and states, Maya states, Maya city-states, Mayas, Maya

Maya farming villages appeared in southern Mexico and Central America by about 2000 BCE, and by 300 BCE great cities such as El Mirador were building huge pyramids. In the Classic period, from about 250 to 900 CE, dozens of city-states ruled by divine kings flourished in the lowland rainforest, and superpowers such as Tikal and Calakmul fought for dominance through warfare and alliances.

The Maya developed the most complete writing system in the Americas, recorded dates in their Long Count calendar, tracked the movements of Venus and used the concept of zero. In the 9th century the southern cities collapsed, probably due to drought, overpopulation and constant war, but northern centres such as Chichén Itzá and Mayapán continued. The Spanish conquered most Maya states in the 16th century, and the last, Nojpetén, in 1697.

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Years

2000 BCE – 1697 CE

Capital

No single capital; great cities included El Mirador, Tikal, Calakmul, Palenque, Copán, Chichén Itzá and Mayapán

Greatest extent

750, about 400,000 km²

Region

Southern North America

Classic-period city-states across southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and western Honduras (rough estimate)