Mayan+Geography+and+Landscape

Geography and Landscape ==// The ancient Maya civilization occupied the eastern third of Mesoamerica, primarily the Yucatan Peninsula. The topography of the area greatly varied from volcanic mountains, which comprised the highlands in the South, Lowlands, in the central and northern regions. The southern portions of the Lowlands were covered by a rain forest with an average  height of about 150 feet. Scattered savannas and swamps, or bajos, appeared sporadically, interrupting the dense forests. The northern Lowlands were also comprised of forests but they were drier than their southern counterparts. February to May was the dry season characterized by air that was intensely hot and uncomfortable. At this time of year, the fields had recently been cut and had to be burned in accordance with their slash and burn form of agriculture. // ==

==// There were many dangerous animals that  occupied this region including the jaguar, the caiman (a fierce crocodile), the bull shark, and many species of poisonous snakes. These animals had to be avoided as the Maya scavenged the forest for foods including deer turkey, peccaries, tapirs, rabbits, and large rodents such as the agouti. Many varieties of monkeys occupied the upper canopy. The climate of the Highlands was a great contrast to the Lowlands as it was much cooler and drier environment. // ==

==// Both the Highlands and the Lowlands were important to the presence of trade  within the Mayan civilization. The lowlands primarily produced crops which were used for their own personal consumption, the principle crop being maize. They also grew squash, beans, chili peppers, amaranth, manioc, cacao, cotton for light cloth, and sisal for heavy cloth and rope. // == ==// The volcanic highlands, however, were the source of obsidian, jade, and other precious metals  like cinnabar and hematite that the Mayans used to develop a lively trade. Although the lowlands were not the source of any of these commodities, they still played an important role as the origin of the transportation routes. The rainfall was as high as 160 inches per year in the Lowlands and the water that collected drained towards the Gulf of Mexico in great river systems. These rivers, of which the Usumacinta and the Grijalva were of primary importance, were vital to the civilization as the form of transportation for both people and materials. // ==

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