It is the capital and most populated city of the state of Yucatán. It was founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo on the remains of a Mayan city and was named in honor of the city of Mérida in Spain. It is considered one of the cities with the best quality of life in the country and one of the safest on the continent. It is the headquarters of most of the public organizations, agencies and secretariats of the Government of Yucatán. Its historical heritage is the product of the mixture of Mayan, Spanish and African cultures during the colonial era, later influenced by other cultures. Thanks to its rich cultural heritage, it was the first city to be named American Capital of Culture. On the other hand, its historic center is the third largest on the continent after Mexico City and Havana in Cuba. It was declared a National Heritage Site in 1986 and the area includes a notable monumental and architectural heritage from the 16th to 19th centuries.
