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Tikal
Home » Guatemala » Guatemala - Major Cities and Regions » TikalThis monumental site with its towering pyramids looms out of the thick jungle canopy like stoic sentinels of ancient mysteries. Tikal is among the world's most travel wonders. It is often called one of the most spiritually powerful spots on earth.
Tikal attracts archeologists from all around the globe and the wildlife surrounding the ruins makes it a naturalist's dream. Because of its importance and magnificent combination of nature and archaeological remains, UNESCO has declared Tikal a Heritage of Humanity.
The ancient Maya began building Tikal around 600 B.C., and for the next 1500 years the area was an important religious, scientific, and political center. The ruins of Tikal include more than 3,000 structures extending over six square miles and including palaces, temples, ceremonial platforms, ball courts, terraces, plazas, avenues and steam baths.
At the Tikal National Park, screeching howler monkeys and squawking parrots provide nature's soundtrack to all visitors in the area. From monkeys to white lipped peccary, brocket deer, coati-mundis, toucans, scarlet macaws, parrots, ocelots; even the seldom jaguar can occasionally be spotted. Along with many vegetation spices there is also an abundance of tropical flowers.
Resources:
WWW.QUETZALNET.COM
WWW.WORLDTRAVELGUIDE.NET
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