Mérida, Yucatán

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Image:Merida-cathedral.jpg
Cathedral on the Plaza Mayor, the oldest in North America [1].

Mérida is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Yucatán. It is located in the northwest part of the state, about 35 km (22 miles) from the Gulf of Mexico coast, at 20°58′12″N, 89°37′12″W. The city is also the municipal seat of the municipality of the same name which surrounds it. In the census of 2005 the population of the city was 734,153, ranking 13th among the most populous Mexican cities. The population of the municipality was 781,146. The municipality's area is 858.41 km² (331.43 sq mi). The metropolitan area includes the municipalities of Mérida, Umán and Kanasín and had a population of 886,188 in the same 2005.

Mérida is serviced by Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (IATA airport code: MID)

Contents

[edit] History

Mérida was founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo, a Spanish Conquistador known as "El Adelantado." It was built on the site of the Maya city of T'ho (also known as Ichcaanzihó or "city of the five hills", referring to five pyramids) which had been a center of Mayan culture and activity for centuries. Because of this, many historians consider Merida the oldest continually-occupied city in the Americas.

Many carved Maya stones from ancient T'ho were used to build the Spanish Colonial buildings that are plentiful in downtown Merida, and are visible, for instance, in the walls of the main Cathedral. Much of Mérida's architecture from the Colonial period, through the 18th century and 19th century is still standing in the centro historico of the city. From colonial times through the mid 19th century Mérida was a walled city to protect the Peninsulare and Criollo residents from periodic revolts by the indigenous Maya. Several of the old Spanish city gates survive, but modern Mérida has expanded well beyond the old city walls. Late in the 19th century and the early 20th Century, the area surrounding Mérida prospered from the production of henequén (known as sisal in English, because it was exported from the port of Sisal, which for most of the 19th century was the most important port in the state). At one time, around the turn of the 20th Century, it is said that Merida had more millionaires than any other city in the world.

The result of the concentration of wealth can still be seen today in Merida. Many large and elaborate homes still line the main avenue of Paseo de Montejo, though few are occupied today by individual families. Now, those homes have been restored and serve as office buildings for banks and insurance companies. Merida has the second largest centro historico of any city in the Americas, surpassed only by Mexico City. Large and small colonial homes line the city streets to this day, in various states of disrepair and renovation; the historical center of Merida is currently undergoing a minor renaissance as more and more people are moving into the old buildings and reviving their former glory.

In June 2007, Merida moved its city museum to the renovated Post Office building next to the downtown market. The Museum of the City of Merida houses important artifacts from the city's history, as well as an art gallery.

Merida is the cultural and financial capital of the Yucatan Peninsula, as well as the capital city of the state of Yucatan. In recent years, two important science competitions were held in Mérida: the 2005 International Mathematical Olympiad and the 2006 International Olympiad in Informatics. In 2006 Mérida hosted FITA Archery World Cup Final. From 3-11 July 2007 Mérida is hosting the International Cosmic Ray Conference.

[edit] Weather

The city lies in the trade wind belt with the prevailing wind from the east. The average high temperature is 91 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius). The rainy season runs from June through August, associated with the Mexican Monsoon which draws warm, moist air landward. Easterly waves and tropical storms also affect the area during this season.

[edit] Culture

Image:Merida-street.jpg
A city downtown street in Mérida
Image:Pdm-statue-merida.jpg
"Monumento a la Bandera" (Monument to the flag) on the Paseo De Montejo, Mérida

Mérida has been nicknamed "The White City", though the exact origin of this moniker is not clear. Various explanations include the common color of its buildings (though anyone visiting Merida can see that the buildings are not all white) or the fact that the residents keep the city particularly clean (again, this is not particularly true). Mérida was named after the Spanish town of the same name, originally (in Latin) Augusta Emerita (see Mérida, Spain). Mérida served as the American Capital of Culture in the year 2000.

As the state and regional capital, Merida is a cultural center, featuring multiple museums, art galleries, restaurants, movie theatres and shops. The famous avenue, Paseo de Montejo, is lined with original sculpture. Each year, the MACAY Museum in Merida mounts a new sculpture installation, featuring works from Mexico and one other chosen country. Each exhibit remains for ten months of the year. In 2007, sculptures on Paseo de Montejo feature works by artists from Mexico and Japan.

Mérida and the state of Yucatán have traditionally been isolated from the rest of the country by geography, creating a unique culture. The conquistadors found the Mayan culture to be incredibly resilient, and their attempts to eradicate Mayan tradition, religion and culture had only moderate success. The surviving remnants of the Mayan culture can be seen everyday, in speech, dress, and in both written and oral histories. It is especially apparent in holidays like Hanal Pixan, a Mayan/Catholic Day of the Dead celebration. It falls on November 1 and 2 (one day for adults, and one for children) and is commemorated by elaborate altars dedicated to dead relatives. It is a compromise between the two religions with crucifixes mingled with skull decorations and food sacrifices/offerings. Múkbil pollo is the Mayan tamal pie offered to the dead on All Saints' Day, traditionally accompanied by a cup of hot chocolate. Many Yucatecans enjoying eating this on and around the Day of Dead. And, while complicated to make, they can be purchased and even shipped via air. (Muk-bil literally means "to put in the ground" or to cook in a pib, an underground oven).

For English speakers or would-be speakers, Mérida has the Mérida English Library [2], a lending library with an extensive collection of English books, videos, tapes and children books. The library is also the site for expatriate meetings, children's storytelling hours and other cultural events.

Merida also is home to the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra, which plays regular seasons at the Jose Peon Contreras Theatre on Calle 60 and features classical music, jazz and opera [3].

[edit] Geography

Image:Mérida, Yucatán from the 16th floor of Hyatt.JPG
The city as seen from the 16th floor of Hyatt

Merida is located in the Northwest part of the state of Yucatan, which occupies the northern portion of the Yucatan Peninsula. To the east is the state of Quintana Roo, to the west is the state of Campeche, to the north is the Gulf of Mexico, and far to the south is the state of Chiapas. The city is also located in the approximate epicenter of the Chicxulub Crater. Yucatan has a very flat topography and is never more than 30 feet above sea level. The land outside of Merida is covered with smaller scrub trees and former henequen fields. Almost no surface water exists, but several cenotes (underground springs and rivers) are found across the state. Merida has a centro historico typical of colonial Spanish cities. The street grid is based on odd-numbered streets running east/west and even-numbered streets running north/south, with Calles 60 and 61 bounding the "Plaza Grande" in the heart of the city. The more affluent neighborhoods are located to the north and the most densely populated areas are to the south. The Centro Historico area is becoming increasingly popular with American and other expats who are rescuing and restoring the classic colonial structures [4]. The Los Angeles Times recently noted this surge of interest in rescuing Merida's historic downtown and published the following article: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-zmerida21oct21,1,4700207.story?coll=la-headlines-business

[edit] Food

Yucatecan food [5] is its own unique style and is very different from what most people consider "Mexican" food. It includes influences from the local Mayan culture, as well as Caribbean, Mexican, European and Middle Eastern cultures.

There are many regional dishes. Some of them are:

  • Poc Chuc, a Mayan/Yucateco version of barbecued pork.
  • Salbutes and Panuchos. Salbutes are soft, cooked tortillas with lettuce, tomato, turkey and avocado on top. Panuchos feature fried tortillas filled with black beans, and topped with turkey or chicken, lettuce, avocado and pickled onions. Habanero chiles accompany most dishes, either in solid or purée form, along with fresh limes and corn tortillas.
  • Queso Relleno is a "gourmet" dish featuring ground pork inside of a carved edam cheese ball served with tomato sauce
  • Pavo en Relleno Negro (also known locally as Chilmole) is turkey meat stew cooked with a black paste made from roasted chiles, a local version of the mole de guajalote found throughout Mexico. The meat soaked in the black soup is also served in tacos, sandwiches and even in panuchos or salbutes.
  • Sopa de Lima A turkey, lime and tortilla soup.
  • Papadzules. Egg "tacos" bathed with Pumpkin Seed sauce and Tomatoes.
  • Cochinita Pibil is a marinated pork dish and by far the most renowned from the yucatecan food.

    • The most popular Mexican hot sauce, El Yucateco hot sauce, is made in Mérida, Yucatán.

    [edit] Language and accent

    The Spanish spoken in the Yucatán is readily identifiable as different, even to non-native ears. It is heavily influenced by the Mayan language, which is still spoken by a third of the population of the State of Yucatan, although mostly in smaller towns and villages. The Mayan language is harshly melodic, filled with X sounds ("X" is pronounced "sh" in the Mayan language) and very full throated vowels.

    Being enclosed by the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, and with poor land communication with the rest of Mexico, Yucatecan Spanish has also preserved many words that are no longer used in many other Spanish speaking areas of the world. Also unique among Yucatecan speakers is the heavy use of diminutive language that shows affection towards even mundane objects. The use of diminutive forms is reminiscent of the Spanish of "Ticos" in Costa Rica.[citation needed] However, with the improvement in transportation and especially with the overwhelming presence of radio and TV, their isolation has eroded, and many outside elements of culture and language are now slowly but consistently permeating the culture.

    Even if fewer younger Yucatecos are fluent in Mayan today, it is still considered the second language of the State. Many students now choose to learn a foreign language like English, which is taught in most schools.

    [edit] Twinning

    Mérida has three sister cities. They are:

    [edit] Sources

    [edit] External links

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    bg:Мерида (Мексико) ca:Mérida (Mèxic) da:Mérida (Mexico) de:Mérida (Mexiko) es:Mérida (Yucatán) fr:Mérida (Mexique) hr:Mérida, Yucatán id:Mérida, Meksiko it:Mérida (Messico) lt:Merida (Meksika) nl:Mérida (Yucatán) ja:メリダ (ユカタン州) no:Mérida (Yucatán) pl:Merida (Meksyk) pt:Mérida (México) ru:Мерида (Мексика) fi:Mérida (Meksiko) sv:Mérida (Mexiko) zh:梅里達 (墨西哥)

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