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"The Maya is a
Mesoamerican
civilization, noted for the only
known fully developed
written language of the
pre-Columbian Americas, as well
as its
art,
architecture, and mathematical
and astronomical systems. Initially
established during the
Preclassic period (c. 2000 BC to
250 AD), many Mayan cities reached
their highest state development
during the
Classic period (c. 250 AD to 900
AD), and continued throughout the
Postclassic period until the
arrival of the Spanish. At its
peak, it was one of the most densely
populated and culturally dynamic
societies in the world.
The Maya
civilization shares many features
with other Mesoamerican
civilizations due to the high degree
of interaction and
cultural diffusion that
characterized the region. Advances
such as writing,
epigraphy, and the
calendar did not originate with
the Maya; however, their
civilization fully developed them.
Maya influence can be detected as
far as central
Mexico, more than 1000 km (625
miles) from the
Maya area. Many outside
influences are found in
Maya art and architecture, which
are thought to result from trade and
cultural exchange rather than direct
external conquest. The
Maya peoples never disappeared,
neither at the time of the Classic
period decline nor with the arrival
of the
Spanish
conquistadores and the
subsequent
Spanish colonization of the Americas."
Source
(including map):
Wikipedia
