kids encyclopedia robot

Campeche facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
State of Campeche
Flag of State of Campeche
Flag
Coat of arms of State of Campeche
Coat of arms
Location within Mexico
Location within Mexico
Municipalities of Campeche
Municipalities of Campeche
Country Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico
Capital Campeche
Municipalities 11
Largest City San Francisco de Campeche
Area

Ranked 18th
 • Total 50,812 km2 (19,619 sq mi)
Population
 (2005)
 • Total 754,730 (Ranked 30th)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
HDI (2004) 0.8189 - high
Ranked 9th
ISO 3166-2 MX-CAM
Postal abbr. Camps.
Website http://www.campeche.gob.mx

Campeche is a state in the south-east of Mexico. Its capital is also called Campeche. About 750,000 people live in Campeche.

Main sights

Much of Campeche’s territory is filled with various archeological sites, almost all of which are Mayan. These sites are far less known and visited than sites to the east such as Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Tulum . An early important site is Edzna, located near the city of Campeche in a region known as los Chenes. It was one of the most important ceremonial centers in the pre Classic Maya period (300-900CE). Its building show Petén, Chenes and Puuc influence, with a large acropolis surrounded by various temples, the most important of which is the Pyramid of the Five Floors. It was discovered in the 1920s and excavated in the 1940s. It is located away from other Mayan settlements on the peninsula and was probably a collection center for the agriculture products grown in the area, reaching its height between 600 and 900. These were sent to the city of Tikal in exchange for ritualistic adornment for the site. Its most important building is the Pyramid of the Five Stories, built as its name implies. Another important find came in the 1990s. During the planting season in early May, archeologist Antonio Benavides noticed that the setting sun illuminates a stucco mask hanging one of the pyramid’s rooms. The effect also happens in August, during harvest and it is believed to be related to the asking and receiving of abundant crops.

The largest archeological site in the state is Calakmul, which means “twin heaps” in Maya. It is located in the Petén region built in the late Classic period (500-900 CE). Calakmal is estimated to have been populated around 1000 BCE with its height at around 600 In 695 CE, Calakmul was conquered by Tikal and the city fell into decline. Calakmul is located in the interior rainforest of the state in a biosphere named after it near the Guatemala border. The site extends over 70 km² and was one of the largest cities of Mesoamerica. Its temples were mostly dedicated to ancestor worship encircling the palaces of the elite in the center. There are an estimated 6,000 structures at the site with only half a dozen restored. The two most important structures are the twin pyramids of Temple II and Temple VII, similar to structures found at Tikal.


Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Campeche para niños

kids search engine
Campeche Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.