Cancún
[key], city (2021 metro area est.pop. 971,798, Quintana Roo state, SE
Mexico. An international resort, Cancún is known for its beaches,
agreeable climate, and luxurious hotels and facilities. Built in the early
1970s at the site of a small Maya village, Cancún extends along a
barrier island. Nearby are Isla Mujeres and the other “Riviera
Maya” resorts as well as numerous ancient Maya sites. The resort
suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Wilma in 2005 but has
recovered.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Mexican Political Geography
