Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Merida Mexico is the capital of the Mexican state Yucatan located in the northern Yucatan Peninsula. Merida is 18 miles south of the Gulf of Mexico coast. According to Geo-Mexico, Merida's population was just under a million people in 2009, about half that of the whole state.
The climate is mild in winter and hot and humid in summer, much like Florida. The surrounding land consists of tropical river valleys and karst (land situated over unstable, dissolving limestone). The coast near Merida has sandy beaches.
Merida is called "The White City" due to the white limestone buildings and cleanliness of the city. Tourist attractions include the historical villa Casa de Montejo, Cathedral of San Idelfonso, Museum of Korean Immigration, the Merida Planetarium and main Plaza. Merida is also a hub of art; Palacio de Gobierno (Palace of the Governor) features famous murals by Fernanco Castro Pacheco depicting the history of the Yucatan. There is also the Museum of Popular Art and many smaller art galleries.
Merida has been the capital of the Yucatan for centuries; however, tourism in Merida started growing during the 1980s when factories and assembly plants opened in the area and started bringing money into the city, which improved its reputation and appearance. Merida enjoys a healthy tourism industry without being a tourist trap, according to Lonely Planet Travel Guide.
Tourism in Merida has directly affected the rise of real estate sales. Foreign tourists and affluent Mexican people buy homes in Merida due to the ideal climate, proximity to the coast, large expatriate population, a low crime rate and cultural sites.
Mayan history buffs have plenty to keep them busy in and around Merida, which was built over the ruins of the Mayan city T'ho. The Regional Museum of Yucatan features Mayan artifacts and historical information about the region. Ruins of one of the largest Mayan cities, Dzibilchaltun, is only nine miles outside Merida and features some of the original 8,000 stone structures.