Chiapas

The Mayan palace at Palenque, Chiapas state, southern Mexico. Built during the late classic period around 600 under the rule of Lady K'an Ik', the palace is approximately 90 m/295 ft long and 75 m/246 ft wide. Its walls are made of plaster, with limestone carvings, stucco, and terracotta images inside. The central tower is thought to be an observatory or watchtower.

Mayan ruins in the ancient city of Palenque, Chiapas state, southern Mexico. Palenque was one of the major cities of Mayan civilisation during the late classic period, from about 600–900. Structures such as the Temple of the Inscriptions are known not only for their distinctive architectural style, but also for their carvings, bas reliefs, and hieroglyphics.

Market in front of the church of St John the Baptist in San Juan Chamula, Chiapas state, southern Mexico. San Juan Chamula, a small town outside San Cristobal, is the largest Mayan township in Chiapas. The Mayan traditions are still strong here (Tzotzil is the local language) and the worshippers at the church practise a mixture of Mayan and Catholic customs.

Southernmost state of Mexico, bordering Guatemala; area 73,887 sq km/28,527 sq mi; population (2000 est) 3,920,500. Chiapas lies on the Pacific coast and is mostly a mountainous area. Its capital is Tuxtla Gutíerrez. The depressed economy is based on fishing, cattle rearing, timber, and the cultivation of sugar, cacao, coffee, fruit, and cotton, though oil and natural gas reserves are also mined. There are important Mayan ruins at Bonampak and Palenque.

In the southern part of the state, severe floods in 1998 caused hundreds of deaths and rendered over 100,000 people homeless.