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Home / Information / Merida |
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Merida, also know as the White City, is the capital of the State of Yucatan. It has a long and rich past. It combines the influence of its first inhabitants the Maya, the conquistadors and Europeans from the late 16th to the early 20th century to the modern style. Merida is also the center point to explore all the Yucatan Peninsula, from the white beach of Progresso and Celestum to the ruins of Chichen Itza or the colonial cities of Valladolid, Campeche and Izamal. |
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History of Merida: Merida was a major city of the Mayas until it was conquered by Francisco de Montejo in 1542. The Spanish quickly take apart the Mayan monuments such as the pyramid and used the stones to built the Cathedral of San Idelfonso, which is the oldest cathedral in America. Merida was for centuries isolate from the rest of Mexico as there were no majors route of communication with the center and the north of the country. But at the beginning of the 20th Century, the city of Merida was to expand dramatically with the exportation of the henequen plant which fiber was widely used in Europe and in the USA. Eventually the success fade away with the apparition of artificial fibers but the city remains to this day one of the most innovative and competitive of the South East Mexico. |
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Merida is truly a magnificent colonial city to explore and visit. Most of its architecture is a combination of French and Spanish and you can still observe some of the finest examples along the Paseo Montejo (the main avenue). The downtown is ideal to spend a whole day walking along the streets and discover the Cathedral, the small parks with Mariachis or folkloric dances, the market where you can buy from jewelry to local handicrafts. Merida is also know for its extensive food offer. From the delicious cochinita to Lebanese or traditional Mexican food, there is a dish for every one. Also Merida is the perfect spot to explore all the Maya and colonial sites located nearby such as Chichen Itza, Dzibilchaltun, or the ecological area as Rio Lagarto and Celestum. |
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Merida
State of Yucatan
Time Zone: GMT -6 hours
Inhabitants: 800,000
Official Web Site
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