Known as the epicenter of the ancient Maya world, Belize once was home to more than 2 million Maya.

Sacred temples, pyramids, advanced science, agriculture, mathematics, palaces, and awesome structures are their legacy.

Without the use of iron or the wheel, the civilization reached its zenith at the time when Europe was in the Dark Ages.

This advanced civilization supported by vast agricultural farmlands and trading centers, held sway for well over 2,000 years.

The Maya Empire evolved around 350 B.C. in the tropical lowlands of Belize and northern Guatemala and reached its apogee from 250 A.D. to 900 A.D.

The arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century spelled the beginning of the end of the Maya civilization that had already began a decline with many of its great cities and monuments abandoned perhaps due to war, famine or break down of government structure.