Pyramids, Derricks and Mule Teams in the Yucatán Peninsula: A Second Effort In 2,500 Years to Develop a Jungle and Forest Area

A bstract . Over a period of 1200 years the Maya civilization in the Yucatáin Peninsula of Mexico rose, flourished, declined and fell. Jungle and forest closed in on great cities, pyramids, monuments and roads, and the area became depopulated. In recent decades a second effort is being made to achieve the economic development of the region. Once again a viable agriculture is being established. Oil deposits are being exploited, as the basis of local industries. Networks of roads link the communities of the region with each other, with the state capital and with the national capital. The Mayans, who once remained aloof in forest enclaves, are being integrated into the nation by a successful literacy program. The results of educational, settlement and industrialization programs raise hopes that the highly culturaliy endowed Maya and their newcomer neighbors may be laying the foundation for another civilization that could be another milestone in the progress of humanity.