Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization known for its writing, art, architecture, mathematical and astronomical systems. The beginning of its formation is attributed to the pre-classical era (2000 BC - 250 AD), most of the Mayan cities reached their peak in the classical period (250-900 AD). By the time the conquistadors arrived, it was in deep decline. The Mayans built stone cities, many of which were abandoned long before the arrival of Europeans, others were inhabited after. The Mayan calendar was also used by other peoples of Central America. The hieroglyphic writing system was used, partially deciphered. Numerous inscriptions on the monuments have been preserved. They created an effective farming system, had deep knowledge in the field of astronomy. The descendants of the ancient Maya are not only the modern Maya peoples who preserved the language of their ancestors, but also part of the Hispanic population of the southern states of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras. Some Mayan cities are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List: Palenque, Chichen Itza, Uxmal in Mexico, Tikal and Quirigua in Guatemala, Copan in Honduras, Hoya de Seren in El Salvador.
The cultural history of this people is usually divided into three periods:
The first period (from antiquity to 317) is the time of the emergence of city-states, primitive slash farming, the manufacture of cotton fabrics, etc.
The second period (317-987) - the ancient kingdom, or the classical period - the time of the growth of cities (Palenque, Chichen Itza, Tulum) and at the same time the mysterious exodus of the population from them at the beginning of the 10th century.
The third period (987 - XVI century) - the new kingdom, or the post-classical period - the time of the arrival of the European conquistadors, the adoption of new laws, styles in life and art, the mixing of cultures, fratricidal wars, etc.
. Today English is the language of the world. It is only in the course of the last hundred years that English has become a world language. In Shakespeare's time it was a «provincial» language of secondary importance with only 6 million native speakers. . Nowadays over 300 million people speak it as a mother tongue. English is the official language of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the United States of America, of Australia and New Zealand. . It is used as one of the official languages in Canada, the Republic of South Africa and the Irish Republic. English is also spoken as a second language in the former British and US colonies. In a number of speakers (400 million) it is second only to Chinese. English is the major international language of communication in such areas as science, technology and business. It is the language of literature, education, modem music, and international tourism. English is the major language of diplomacy, it is one of the official languages of the United Nation organization and other political organizations. Russia is integrating into the world community and the problem of learning English for the purpose of communication is especially urgent today. . One should say that English is not an easy language to learn. There is a big problem of spelling, of the large number of exceptions to any rule. This language is very idiomatic and the prepositions are terrible. . English is one of those languages which may seem easy in the beginning, but then the bridge between basic knowledge and mastery takes a long time to cross. . But if you cross this bridge it will give you great satisfaction. You will be able to speak to people from other countries, to read foreign authors in the original, which makes your outlook wider. To know English today is absolutely necessary for every educated man, for every good specialist.
Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization known for its writing, art, architecture, mathematical and astronomical systems. The beginning of its formation is attributed to the pre-classical era (2000 BC - 250 AD), most of the Mayan cities reached their peak in the classical period (250-900 AD). By the time the conquistadors arrived, it was in deep decline. The Mayans built stone cities, many of which were abandoned long before the arrival of Europeans, others were inhabited after. The Mayan calendar was also used by other peoples of Central America. The hieroglyphic writing system was used, partially deciphered. Numerous inscriptions on the monuments have been preserved. They created an effective farming system, had deep knowledge in the field of astronomy. The descendants of the ancient Maya are not only the modern Maya peoples who preserved the language of their ancestors, but also part of the Hispanic population of the southern states of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras. Some Mayan cities are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List: Palenque, Chichen Itza, Uxmal in Mexico, Tikal and Quirigua in Guatemala, Copan in Honduras, Hoya de Seren in El Salvador.
The cultural history of this people is usually divided into three periods:
The first period (from antiquity to 317) is the time of the emergence of city-states, primitive slash farming, the manufacture of cotton fabrics, etc.
The second period (317-987) - the ancient kingdom, or the classical period - the time of the growth of cities (Palenque, Chichen Itza, Tulum) and at the same time the mysterious exodus of the population from them at the beginning of the 10th century.
The third period (987 - XVI century) - the new kingdom, or the post-classical period - the time of the arrival of the European conquistadors, the adoption of new laws, styles in life and art, the mixing of cultures, fratricidal wars, etc.