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25 miles inland from Tulúm, deep in the jungle, lies the
ancient city of Cobá. Although only a small part of this
archaeological site has been mapped, experts believe that it was
one of the largest settlements in the area and controlled a trade
empire during the Classic period. A network of sacbes (Mayan
roads) radiates out of the city center, linking it to other sites
in the Yucatán. Five shallow lakes would have provided
Coba´s inhabitants with water. The principal building is
the Nohoch Mul pyramid, at 24 meters high, it is the tallest ancient
structure in the Yucatán. Parrots, huge tropical butterflies
and spider monkeys can be spotted at Cobá, adding to the
adventure of exploring the jungle
The city was as large in area as any of the cities of the Maya
and maintained a metropolitan population upwards of 70,000 people
within an area of 44 square miles. The huge plaza platform covers
almost 4 square miles and houses the city core of pyramids, temples
and ball courts. Some 60 sacbes (Mayan Roads) have been identified
and the longest one goes 60 miles, straight as an arrow to the
ancient city of Yaxuná. Another sacbe goes to Ixil nearly
12 miles away.
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