Tikal Grew and Decline

1. Tikal Grew and Decline

The Maya city of Tikal, located in a dense subtropical forest in the center of the state of Petén in northern Guatemala, was one of the most important cities in the Mayan lowlands.

Its first permanent inhabitant settled in the area around the year 900 B.C. It saw its greatest growth between A.D. 700-800. Many of the structures you will explore today were constructed during that time.

The hot a humid climate throughout most of the year made the forest ideal habitat for an abundance of animal and plants species which provided food, medicine and construction material. The city was built on elevates areas, which were surrounded by “bajos”, or slight depressions that flood during the rainy season.

The center of Tikal, with an area of 16 km², has approximately 4,000 structures, including plazas, temples, palaces, ball courts, causeways and pyramids. Its population has been estimated at 90,000 people, including the living areas around the city.

Tikal was continuously inhabited for almost 1,800 years. Its history includes powerful rulers, great alliances, victorious battles, defeats, economic power and the monumental architecture that secured its legacy for centuries.

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