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 During
the Pre-Hispanic era, the Mayans inhabited an extensive
territory with different climates and varied vegetation;
dry mountains and plains, forests with high pluvial
precipitation, rivers, lakes and waterfalls, and bounteous
coasts. The Mayan World includes what at the present
time are the states of Quintana Roo, Campeche, Yucatan,
Tabasco and eastern Chiapas in Mexico; Guatemala, Belize
and parts of western Honduras and El Salvador in Central
America.
Within this zone lie three great natural areas: the
South area located on the Pacific Coast, the high territories
of Guatemala, Chiapas and El Salvador and the flat North.
First the high plateau where are several lakes Amatitlán,
Atitlán and Izabal that had their origin in volcanic
activities, the Guaja lake located between Guatemala
and El Salvador, and toward the east is the Ayarza lake.
All this area has fruit and lumber trees and a great
variety of animal species, to mention one, the quetzal
bird that the Mayans considered holy, representing the
Gods.
 The
Second, or Central area, is most extensive, taking in
the inner river basin of the Department of Petèn
in Guatemala, includes part of Honduras and Chiapas,
Tabasco and the south of the Yucatan Peninsula. One
is a tropical forest with warm and humid climate; Rivers
such as the Grijalva that ends at the gulf of Mexico
and others, like the Holmul, the Rio Hondo, the Sarstùn
and the Mopàn flow into the Caribbean Sea. This
zone of forest and prairies is very rich in precious
wood like cedar, and also contains the varied fauna
found in the Mayan zone.
 The
Third, or North area, includes northern half of the
Yucatan Peninsula, made of limestone and is flatland
except for the Sierrita, also known as the Puuc, that
runs between Campeche and Yucatan which has a height
of 200 meters above sea level. It is a dry climate,
with vegetation formed by low shrubs and great amount
of medicinal herbs. Three small rivers exist: Rio Lagartos,
Rio Hondo and the Champoton and a lake, the Bacalar
lagoon. In this warm land, where the percolating rainwater
forms natural wells called cenotes, which appear when
the roofs of caves fall in and that have had great importance,
since they provided the water necessary to the life
of the people.
The Ancient Mayans founded cities, one of the most excellent
was Chichen Itzà, in whose Sacred Cenote were
made offerings in honor of Chaac, the God of Rain, throwing
into the waters objects of gold, rubber, jade, vessels
and human beings.
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