The Mayan of the prehispanic time were one of the most original cultures in Mesoamerica. Besides the features common to the groups of that area, the Mayas developed certain elements that distinguish them clearly, as the use in the architecture of the called "false arch", a very defined aesthetic pattern, and the use of a sophisticated writing system and computation of the time.

It has been suggested that, during the Classic, the Mayan area was divided in territories controlled by city-states. In a good part, this outline of political-territorial organization has been derived of the well-known distribution of the cities possessors of an emblem, although it is possible that others are still to be identified.

The big towns of the area were authentic urban centers, with centers of monumental constructions for the civic-ceremonials activities and extensive residential areas were developed for common people. In good measure, the acme of the Mayan Classic's cities was derived of an efficient exploitation of the environment and of the existence of a net of commercial relationships, with the places of the region as with those of other Meso-American areas.

Among the Mayan cities it is necessary to highlight Tikal, one of the biggest not only of this area but of Mesoamerica. Calakmul, in which the biggest number of "estelas" of the whole region has been located. Copan, in the east side of the area reached an approximate population of 20,000 inhabitants and it maintained under its domain an extensive territory. Other important places are: Palenque and Yaxchilan.