Know and Tell: The Yucatan

By Angel Distefano

 

As we prepare to head south of the border on Creative Marketing’s 2011 Agent Convention to Cancun and the Riviera Maya, we have compiled some interesting facts about our destination that we thought you might enjoy …

 

• The Yucatán Peninsula is home to North America's largest indigenous population, the Mayans. It also has the highest percentage of indigenous language speakers in the country.
  
  
• According to legend, when Francisco Hernández de Córdova arrived on the coast of Yucatán, he asked the natives where he was. They replied in their native tongue that they didn't understand what he was saying. Because Córdova thought their answer sounded like the word Yucatán, he gave that name to the region.
  
  
• Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve near the fishing village of Celestún contains thousands of brilliant pink flamingos and a myriad of other bird species and exotic plants. During the winter months, as many as 30,000 flamingos can be seen there.
  
  
• The state is most famous for its Mayan ruins, which number between 2,600 and 2,700. Seventeen sites have been restored and are open to the public, the most famous being Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam and Uxmal.
  
  
• Chichén Itzá and the Pyramid of Kukulcán are one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Amazingly, the pyramid was built so that on the spring and fall equinox (March 21 and September 21), the movement of the sun creates the illusion of a giant snake of light gliding down the pyramid's main flight of stairs. To the Mayans, this symbolized the return of Kukulcán, the Plumed Snake.
  
  
• Yucatán has approximately 2,600 fresh water pools called cenotes, which the indigenous natives used for drinking water and sacrificial offerings. Today, the pools are popular tourist attractions.
  
  
• The state provides sanctuary for 443 of the 546 bird species registered in the Yucatán Peninsula. Along with Campeche and Quintana Roo, the area is home to 50 percent of Mexico's bird species.
  
  
• Around 600 A.D., the Mayans migrated toward the northern regions of South America and established some of the earliest known cocoa plantations in Yucatán. The cocoa beans, reserved for the elite members of Mayan society, were ground and mixed with water to make an unsweetened drink.
  
  
• The youngest state in Mexico, Quintana Roo remained sparsely populated until the late 20th century when it burst onto the scene as one of Mexico’s top vacation getaways. It is home to resort areas like Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.
  
  
• The state’s abundant fauna include deer, monkeys, manatees and alligators. This diversity arises from Quintana Roo’s four distinct ecosystems: the reef, the forest, the savannah and the mangrove.
  
  
• Marine explorer Jacques Cousteau discovered The Palancar coral reefs off the coast of Cozumel in 1961; he subsequently proclaimed Palancar to be one of the world's best places for scuba diving.

 

AND the most interesting fact of all: you can be our guest on this exciting adventure to the Yucatan Peninsula and the resort towns of Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Call your Annuity or Life Sales Consultant today to see how they can help you get qualified!

 

 

FOR AGENT USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC 11129-2010/7/14 | 16509 1800310

Creative Marketing does not offer any other compensation in lieu of the trip. Convention is by invitation only and is open to qualifying agent and guest only. Creative Marketing reserves the right to terminate, amend, or modify the convention and qualifications at any time. Agents with a Broker/Dealer arrangement are subject to qualification restrictions. An agent must be contracted and in good standing at the time of convention to attend. Agent is responsible for applicable taxes.