 This 14-mile long sandbar clinging to the Caribbean Sea slumbered peacefully from the time the ancient Mayan civilization mysteriously abandoned the region in the 15th century. That is, up until it was awakened by the call of modern tourism. In the late 1960's, the Mexican government, anxious to create another resort with the exotic allure of Acapulco, selected the site for development. In fact, a computer is reputed to have made the final selection, based on the site's location and fabulous features. The rest, as they say, is history.
Along the coast, and further inland, rest astounding Mayan archaeological wonders, which testify to the glorious past of a highly evolved civilization which made remarkable advances in astrology, architecture and other areas, while Europe slept through the Dark Ages. The great Mayan city-states of the Yucatan reached their peak from 600 to 900 A.D. During this period, great cities such as Chichen Itza and Coba sprang up, southwest of Cancun, while later on the city of Tulum was erected to the south, protecting a stretch of Caribbean coastline. Many believe that more marvels are still hiding in the dense tropical forests of the interior, awaiting discovery. By the mid-15th century, prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the empires had fallen and their residents abandoned their cities, to wander in tribes throughout the peninsula. After an extended period of conflict with the ruling classes the Maya retreated into the densely forested interior of the Yucatan Peninsula .
Until a century or so ago, Quintana Roo (Cancun's home state) was a federal territory and Mexico's last wilderness frontier. The territory did not officially become a state until 1975.
 Development of the area now known as Cancun began in the early 1970's. It has gone from being a quiet fishing village, inhabited by only about 100 people to the a renowned tourist resort with a population over 350 000.
People from all areas Mexico and abroad have come to call Cancun home. Today, Cancun is made up of luxury hotels, a modern infrastructure and excellent services all ready to accommodate the 2.3 million tourists that visit annually.
Mayan culture lives on in the string of villages along the Riviera Maya, south of Cancun. Mayan influence is also present in much of Cancun's contemporary architecture, which has adapted the style of the pyramids to glass and concrete. This meeting of ancient and modern testifies to the timeless allure of Cancun. |