Maya Region

The Maya region is the largest in Mesoamerica. As such, it encompasses a vast and varied landscape within present-day Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico, from the mountainous regions of the Sierra Madre to the semi-arid plains of northern Yucatán.

Today, this area is most commonly characterized and recognized as the territory encompassing the Mayan civilization in the pre-Columbian era.

Geologically, the Maya region consists of a limestone plateau that rises slightly toward the south, ending where the mountainous zone interrupts the plain.

The climate in the Maya region can vary tremendously, as the low-lying areas are particularly susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms that frequent the Caribbean.

The region is generally divided into three loosely defined zones: the southern Maya highlands, the southern Maya lowlands, and the northern Maya lowlands.

_{Map of the Maya region, with major rivers, mountain ranges, and regions}

Southern Maya Highlands

The southern Maya highlands include all elevated terrain in Guatemala and the Chiapas highlands. The Sierra Madre mountains are volcanic. Tajumulco Volcano, at an elevation of 4,220 m (13,845 ft), is the highest point in Central America.

The highlands of Guatemala have a total of 37 volcanoes, four of which are active: Pacaya, Santiaguito, Fuego, and Tacaná. Earthquakes are frequent, and flooding accompanied by mudslides can occur.

Unlike the highland regions of central Mexico, the southern Maya highlands are generally cool, temperate in climate, and covered in thick vegetation. The eastern portions of the highlands are somewhat drier.

Southern Maya Lowlands

The southern (or central) Maya lowlands lie just north of the highlands. The area incorporates the Petén of northern Guatemala and Belize and the southern portions of the Mexican states of Campeche and Quintana Roo.

Rivers, such as the Usumacinta and the Pasion, originate in the highlands and pass through several areas of the southern lowlands. In contrast to the north, there are a number of lakes in the southern lowlands, such as Lake Petén Itza.

The southern lowlands receive much more rainfall than the highlands and contain tropical and sub-tropical climate zones.

Northern Maya Lowlands

The northern Maya lowlands cover the remainder of the Yucatán Peninsula, including the Puuc hills. Except for the Puuc hills, which range from central and southern Yucatán into the northern parts of Campeche, there is little topographic variation in the lowlands.

The climate of the northern Maya lowlands can vary greatly. The northwestern part of the peninsula is considered semi-arid and one of the driest in the Maya region, while the northeast receives a more significant amount of rainfall.

There is an overall lack of surface water in the northern lowlands, though cenotes are common and provide a water source. Generally, the water table (or aquifer) is not particularly deep, and the excavation of wells is possible once the bedrock cap is pierced.