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Quintana Roo

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Quintana Roo is one of the 32 federal entities of Mexico. It is a sovereign state located on the eastern side of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Quintana Roo in Mexico (location map scheme)
Quintana Roo in Mexico (location map scheme)

The state is bordered by the Mexican states of Campeche and Yucatán. It also shares land borders with the Orange Walk and Corozal districts of Belize. To the east, the state meets the Caribbean Sea. To the north, it touches the Gulf of Mexico. The capital city of the state is Chetumal. The state is divided into 11 distinct municipalities, such as Benito Juárez and Solidaridad.

Quintana Roo and its neighbors, with the 2018 Campeche border
Quintana Roo and its neighbors, with the 2018 Campeche border

The geography of the region includes four main ecosystems. These are tropical forests, or jungles, as well as savannas. You can also find mangrove forests and coral reefs. The coastline is a very important habitat for many animals. For example, it is one of the best places in the world for manatees. Queen conchs also live in these coastal areas. The state is also home to the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve. This area helps protect the local nature. However, experts say the region is facing a faunal crisis. This means many large animals are disappearing due to hunting and habitat loss.

IslaContoy-PeterMaas
IslaContoy-PeterMaas

The climate in Quintana Roo is mostly tropical. Much of the state has a tropical wet and dry climate, known as Aw. The island of Cozumel has a tropical monsoon climate, or Am. The mean annual temperature is 26°C. The hottest months are April and August. During these months, the average high temperature is 33°C. January is the coldest month, with an average low of 18°C. The state receives an average of 1,500 mm of precipitation each year. Most of this rain falls between June and October. Because of its location, the state is often hit by severe hurricanes. In 2020, a record 31 tropical systems formed in the region.

Cozumel Punta Sur View-27527
Cozumel Punta Sur View-27527

Archaeological history in the region goes back thousands of years. In the Tulum area, researchers found ancient human remains in submerged caves and sinkholes. In 2016, an exploration of the Chan Hol cave found a female skeleton. This woman lived during the Paleo-Indian period, at least 9,900 years ago. Scientists found scars on her skull that suggest she suffered physical trauma. These findings suggest there may have been different groups of people living in Mexico during the transition from the Pleistocene to the Holocene epoch.

Templo del dios viento
Templo del dios viento

The state is also famous for ancient Maya ruins. These include sites like Cobá, Chacchoben, and Muyil. These ruins show the history of the Maya people.

The political history of Quintana Roo has changed many times. Long ago, the area was part of the state of Yucatán. During the Caste War of Yucatán in the 1840s, non-native people were driven from the region. This led to the rise of the independent Maya nation of Chan Santa Cruz. This nation had its own trade and treaties with Belize. On November 24, 1902, President Porfirio Díaz created the Territory of Quintana Roo. He named it after the patriot Andrés Quintana Roo. The Mexican Federal Army took control of most of the Maya population during the 1910s. In 1974, the territory finally became a state within Mexico.

Cancun aerial photo by safa
Cancun aerial photo by safa

Tourism has transformed the state's economy since the 1970s. The development of Cancún was a major part of this boom. This growth has led to the creation of the Riviera Maya. This area includes Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel.

Cancun Strand Luftbild (22179809191)
Cancun Strand Luftbild (22179809191)

The northern part of the state is very touristified with many hotels. In contrast, the southern part still relies on a traditional economy of forestry. This rapid development has caused the population to grow quickly. Many migrants move here from states like Tabasco and Veracruz to find work. While tourism increases the gross domestic product, it also creates economic stress for local Maya natives.

Modern life in Quintana Roo is busy and diverse. The state has many universities, such as the University of Quintana Roo. Sports are also very popular among the people. The soccer club Atlante F.C. moved to Cancún in 2007. The state also has a professional baseball team called the Quintana Roo Tigers. They play at the Estadio de Béisbol Beto Ávila.

Estadiopotros
Estadiopotros

The state also follows the Southeastern Time zone. This time is five hours behind Coordinated Universal Time. Quintana Roo does not use daylight saving time, so the time stays constant all year.

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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Quintana Roo in Mexico (location map scheme).svg
Quintana Roo in Mexico (location map scheme).svg
File:Quintana Roo and its neighbors, with the 2018 Campeche border.svg
Quintana Roo and its neighbors, with the...
File:Morena logo (Mexico).svg
Morena logo (Mexico).svg
File:Templo del dios viento.jpg
Templo del dios viento.jpg
File:Cancun Strand Luftbild (22179809191).jpg
Cancun Strand Luftbild (22179809191).jpg
File:Cancun aerial photo by safa.jpg
Cancun aerial photo by safa.jpg
File:IslaContoy-PeterMaas.JPG
IslaContoy-PeterMaas.JPG
File:Cozumel Punta Sur View-27527.jpg
Cozumel Punta Sur View-27527.jpg
File:Estadiopotros.JPG
Estadiopotros.JPG
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