Merida, Mexico, is a historical and colonial city on the Yucatan Peninsula and occupies the northwestern side. It was one of the earliest sites of Spanish occupation. The city’s history dates from 1542. it was founded by Francisco de Montejo, a Spaniard. It was actually built on the top of the Maya city – T’ho. Merida has still retained most of its colonial ambience and the architectural stocks. The henequen industry is present here and it remains to be a center for tourism due to the Mayan ruins.
The bloody Mayan rebellion in the 1840s led to a vast scale destruction. However, after that Merida only experienced prosperity because of its henequen or sisal production.
Merida has an airport with modern facilities and it is also linked to the central Mexico region by a fantastic railway network. The city has a seaport called Progreso, which is located approximately 20 miles in the north and has numerous attractive beaches which are untouched by the human intervention. There are a few tourist facilities.
This colonial city is different from the rest of the Mexican cities due to a strong Mayan presence. Merida is often referred to as the “White City” due to the fact that the city has buildings that are built from white stone and it is extremely clean.
Tourists can take local tours in buses. They can the Museum of Anthropology which is located in Palacio Canton. The Mayan cuisine is also world famed. Tourists can take classes to learn it. The Celestun Biosphere Reserve which is located 56 miles off Merida is yet another tourist destination.