| "body"> | | | | from the 18th and 19th century are still found in the |
| Merida is the capital city of Yucatan located at the | | | | central part of the city. |
| very heart of the Yucatan peninsula. This city is often | | | | The new-founded city was then walled from the |
| dubbed as "White City" because its buildings are made | | | | colonial period up to the mid 1900's to protect the |
| of white stones and because of its immaculate | | | | residents (especially the Spanish and Ladino) from |
| cleanliness. Others say that it is due the historic fact | | | | fluctuating revolts initiated by the indigenous Maya. |
| that anyone who is "non-white" is not allowed to enter | | | | Following this blood-splattered period of rebellion |
| the city. The term was said to be coined by the | | | | though, the city of Merida gradually experienced a time |
| Mayan indians during the periods of rebellion. It is also | | | | of prosperity and abundance. It was in the late 19th |
| often called as "Paris of he West" by many because | | | | and early 20th century that the city was able to |
| rich citizens of the city had once imported so many | | | | progress with the production of henequen, or sisal in |
| products as architectural styles from France; and also | | | | English, a strong yellowish or reddish fiber from used |
| due to being the center of culture and government in | | | | mainly to make twines and ropes. Numerous |
| Yucatan. | | | | European-style houses are still found in the city, several |
| The city was founded by the Spanish Conquistador, | | | | of which are in the northern portion. These are |
| Francisco de Montejo - also known as "El Adelantado", | | | | legacies left by the henequen-industry barons. One |
| in 1542. The conquest to win the east Yucatan | | | | popular mansion is the Palacio Canton (Canton Palace), |
| peninsula was originally commissioned by his father, | | | | which is the home of General Francisco Canton |
| also named Francisco de Montejo, and Hernan Cortes. | | | | Rosado until his death. The "palace" was built in the |
| However, his father failed because of the fierce | | | | regime of Porfirio Diaz. |
| resistance encounters from the Maya. He and his men | | | | After the decline of the henequen industry though, it |
| then returned to Mexico barren and disillusioned. After | | | | went into nothing but the history books. |
| which, he handed the mission over to his son who | | | | The city of Merida now stood to be a cosmopolitan |
| eventually succeeded in subduing the west Yucatan | | | | city filled with rich historic and cultural heritage evident |
| peninsula. | | | | through its colonial-era architecture and archaeological |
| Merida was then built on top of T'ho, one of the | | | | sites. It is bursting with several activities to choose |
| Mayan cities in the peninsula. The Mayan buildings and | | | | from -- if you are a tourist - including nightlife spots, |
| structures were then decimated. The large stones | | | | historical tours, and shopping opts. Despite continuous |
| were made into foundations for Spanish colonial | | | | progress, Merida remained steadfast traditions. |
| buildings and the cathedral. Most of these structures | | | | |