Its strategic geographic location allowed it to control trade routes, as well as to exploit the great diversity of ecological and mineral resources found in the region.

A Totonac settlement (900-1521 AD), with a marvelous view of the coastal plain. It came under the control of the Toltecs first and later the Mexica. In turn a city, a cemetery (78 tombs were found) and a fortress. This was where Hernán Cortés formed an alliance in order to conquer the Tenochca empire.

Inhabited for 900 years from 600 BC by Olmec and Mezcala culture people. It is constructed with long stone blocks forming plazas, places of worship and a water supply system. A modern highway was forced to go through a 160 foot deep tunnel to avoid damaging the site.

An indigenous city built on the top of the Xochicalco hill possibly for visual dominance of the landscape. The ancient settlers built walls, moats and large access roads for absolute control of their entrances.

Their knowledge in engineering, environment, astronomy, construction, and aesthetics is distinguished in each of the platforms, temples, palace and residential houses that can still be admired at the site. Showing the heritage values that made it a site inscribed on the World Heritage List as a cultural asset and recognized by the original inhabitants that are still preserved nearby as The House of the Flowering Knowledge.

A key city in the history of the Altiplano (Central Highlands), the great Toltec capital from the year 1000 left vast remains full of monuments and artistic treasures. It influenced the peninsular and  Central American Maya, and the cultures of the Gulf coast, Anahuac and the western regions.

A dazzling city (400 – 900 AD), it lay hidden in the jungle for many centuries, and was the seat of the powerful dynasty of king Pakal. It is home to fabulous temples, palaces, plazas, tombs, sculptures, and hieroglyphic inscriptions telling the history of the place. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.

The region was fundamentally important in the history of domesticating several plants including maize. During the Postclassic, Tehuacan was the region’s most important site in terms of religion and politics.

The place of rain clouds

Important Huastec center (1100-1300 AD). The aesthetic sensibility of this culture is evident from its mural paintings, the delicate work with sea shells and conch, pottery, work with precious metals and sculpture such as “The Huastec Youth.” River trade was important, given its location on the banks of a river.

The seat of a religious and calendar-based domain for agricultural systems and trade routes. Its principal constructions were designed as observatories, such as the House of the Thirteen Skies and the House of the Longest Night, which relates to the winter solstice.