Geography of Mayan civilization

The Mayans in this region led the way from the Pre-Classic Period into the Classic Period (300 B.C. - 300 A.D.). This was the transition zone when Olmec influence developed into the Mayan culture.

The Central Maya area consisted of the rain forests of central Guatemala, and included the sites of Palenque and Tikal. The principal elements of the Mayan civilization were developed here: temples with corbel vaults, hieroglyphic writing, and the calendar system. This region flourished from 300 - 900 A.D. and represented the climax of the Mayan civilization.

This is the last area of Mayan dominance. It flourished after the abandonment of the southern regions from 600 - 1200 A.D. Uxmal and Chichen-Itza were the main ruling and ceremonial sites. The Puuc architecture style reached its peak in this region.