Maya kingdoms that existed during the Spanish conquest

Estela maya de Cancuén. Several new lay Mayan cities populated with its own system of government when the Spanish arrived in America.

In the territory of modern Guatemala are five groups that stand out:
  1. Cakchiquel Iximché inhabited city in near what is now Tecpán.
  2. The Tzutuhiles were on the shores of Lake Atitlan in the city of Chuitinamit.
  3. The Itza Maya were at the center of what is now Peteán, on Lake Petén Itzá and on the island of Flores.
  4. The Quiche inhabited what is now the Department of Quiché, a few minutes of your department head in the city of Gumarcaaj, which was called by the Mexicans Utatlán that came with the Spanish.
  5. And Mames were in what is now Huehuetenango, in the Mayan city of Zaculeu.

Perhaps more established kingdoms and whose power extended over more territory was that of the Quiché and the Cakchiquel, who presented themselves after separating rivalry in Chichicastenango, place where lived together peacefully in the past.

We invite you to follow slope of this section XplorandoGuatemala.com to know the past and history of Guatemala.
Related notes

Meaning of the name GuatemalaMeaning of the name Guatemala

22/10/2011
Although not as in the past, even today city itself is surrounded trees. During the Spanish conquest were accompanied by various indigenous groups in the region to defeat others. In fact, Pedro de Alvarado and  [ más ]

The conquest of IximchéThe conquest of Iximché

15/09/2011
Historical Background: Differences between the kingdoms weakened the Mayan population during the conquest and provided his own defeat. Allies in the past, both kingdoms occupied what is now Chichicastenango during the rule of the king  [ más ]

Ah Cacao Gran JaguarAh Cacao Gran Jaguar

01/09/2011
When Calakmul (North Mayan city located in what is now Mexico), invaded Tikal in 679, interrupted the dynastic line but not permanently. Chaak Ujol Nuun son and member of the royal lineage, Jasaw was destined  [ más ]

Guatemala, Central Americas first cityGuatemala, Central Americas first city

15/08/2011
Iximche Mayan ruins. Established but not built, the city of Santiago de los Caballeros in Guatemala stood at Iximche, a few minutes of Tecpan in Chimaltenango. Iximché meeting the ideal conditions of indigenous groups had  [ más ]

Mayan wisdom confronts religionMayan wisdom confronts religion

08/08/2011
When we speak of Christianity we are told of the challenges of the Catholic Church preaching and converting the Indians. The scenario usually locate groups of peoples as ignorant (if not all were) who accepted  [ más ]

Takalik Abaj, city link in Maya historyTakalik Abaj, city link in Maya history

01/08/2011
Takalik, as it usually refers is one of the oldest known Maya cities. Its name means -standing stone- (singular, not plural) and is an important site for signs of mixing two cultures, the Maya and  [ más ]

Double Headed Serpent TempleDouble Headed Serpent Temple

29/07/2011
Classic image of Tikal between the forest, seen from Temple IV. The view from the top of Temple IV is one of the most emblematic images of Tikal. He has traveled the world on the  [ más ]

Maya city Yax MutalMaya city Yax Mutal

29/07/2011
Tikal's name was given in relation to Ti Ak'al (near the hole with water), referring to an ancient water reservoir site. Yax Mutal, the ruins of a large city Tikal came to house approximately 60,000  [ más ]

October 20, day of the RevolutionOctober 20, day of the Revolution

15/07/2011
October 20 is the day that Jorge Ubico ceased to be president of Guatemala. October 20 is commemorated today the revolution of 44 officially ending a long period of presidency, but it is not out  [ más ]

Utatlán city falls, Spain began the conquestUtatlán city falls, Spain began the conquest

08/07/2011
Tikal was this time an abandoned city and vegetation cover. It is intriguing to imagine how history would have been if the Spanish had found the Maya in full swing. Despite the difference of progress:  [ más ]

Cahi Tunatiuh Imox and the conquerorCahi Tunatiuh Imox and the conqueror

29/06/2011
More than admirable is the resistance that gave the Indians before the Spanish conquest. Iximché, and take by the colonists suffered all kinds of hardship and oppression of the conquerors who demanded taxes for land  [ más ]

Establishment of Hearings and ProvincesEstablishment of Hearings and Provinces

15/06/2011
Monument to Fray Bartolome Houses in the Church of Santo Domingo, Guatemala area. The conquistadors were the first to claim territory and benefits. Emerged hearings were ruled by them in most cases. The Indian was  [ más ]

You might also like to read about

Ipala VolcanoIpala Volcano

Few places gather so much beauty as the Ipala Volcano. Its located in a warm region where the summer heat hits kinda hard, but still, no matter the time of the year, its summit stays  [ más ]

San Cristobal AcasaguastlanSan Cristobal Acasaguastlan

A small and quiet town located at El Progreso worth stopping by on your way to Izabal, Chiquimula or Esquipulas. The most famous attraction at the place is the main church. Acasaguastlan was a very  [ más ]

Actún KanActún Kan

The sign has identified the names of formations Weird. Actún Kan is a cave system with low difficulty of exploration. In fact it is a perfect place for beginners caving (spelunking). Its name means -cave  [ más ]

Map of GuatemalaMap of Guatemala

Map of the departments of Guatemala.  [ más ]