Meridas lineage dates back to January of 1542 during the Spanish explorations of Mexico. Spanish nobleman Don Francisco de Montejo founded the city on the site of the ancient Maya city of T'Ho. The new city's buildings were constructed using stones expropriated from the Mayan ruins.

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Meridas lineage dates back to January of 1542 during the Spanish explorations of Mexico. Spanish nobleman Don Francisco de Montejo founded the city on the site of the ancient Maya city of T'Ho. The new city's buildings were constructed using stones expropriated from the Mayan ruins.

Today, Merida is a city of wide tree-lined boulevards and historic stately mansions. While quaint it is still a bustling capital of the State of Yucatan and its largest city. It has been known as the Paris of the West because of the many products once imported from France by Meridas wealthy citizens. At one time is was also known as the White City, in part because at that time most people dressed in white and because of the white stone (limestone) that was used to build so many of the buildings. Another theory holds that the title 'White City' referred to the city's colonial roots, when slaves and anyone 'non-white' was denied entry to the city; hence the term 'white city', meaning 'the city of the whites' a term coined by revolutionary Mayan indians during the violent and bloody Guerra de Castas or Caste Wars. Merida is the center of many Mayan ruins, colonial cities and nature attractions. For more information on what to do when visiting Merida, check out www.yucatantoday.com.

Merida is an inviting place to visit. For many people, its only been a stopover on their way to the magnificent Maya ruins. However, for those who pause to visit, its a great treasure; a city rich in Mayan folklore and colonial history; a city of contrasting sights, cultural blends, and a warm friendly people.

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