Xpujil is a town in the Mexican state of Campeche. It serves as the municipal seat for the surrounding municipality of Calakmul.
Xpujil | |
---|---|
Country | Mexico |
State | Campeche |
Municipality | Calakmul |
Elevation | 260 m (850 ft) |
Population (2010[1]) | |
• City | 3,984 |
• Urban | 3,984 |
Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
Postal code | 24640 |
Area code | 983 |
Demonym | Xpujilense |
Xpujil is located in the south-east of the state, close to the border with Quintana Roo to the east and Peten, Guatemala, to the south. With Escárcega, Campeche, 153 km to the west and Chetumal, Quintana Roo, 120 km to the east, it is a useful midway point on Federal Highway 186. Close to the town are the Maya ruins of Xpuhil (1 km) and Becan (8 km), Chicanná, Balamcan, Hormiguero and further to the south-west is the major Maya site of Calakmul, in the 7,230 square kilometres (2,790 sq mi) Calakmul Biosphere Reserve.
Reportedly, within the zone there are over 100 other sites, yet to be explored. It is noted that the Mayan sites within Calakmul are part of the Mayan civilization that flourished in the area and include the multiple sites in bordering Peten, part ot the "El Mirador" Basin.
Highway 186 is currently (Feb. 2009) undergoing a major refurbishment to a multi lane highway, that will improve access to the zone.
In addition to providing services for the local community, Xpujil has a paved runway and serves as the gateway for tourists visiting those areas, with restaurants, transportation services, modest hotels, etc. Currently many tourists travel by road from Cancun to Palenque, and stop over to visit the many Mayan sites in the region.
There are important projects conceptualized and soon to be launched to increase room availability and other world class services, for eco-tourism and other environmental friendly activities, within the Calakmul Ecological reserve.
XEPUJ, a government-run indigenous community radio station that broadcasts in Spanish, Yucatec Maya and Ch'ol, is based in Xpujil.
External links
References
[1] Servidores Turisticos de Calakmul & Xpujil