Yucatan was derived when the Spanish arrived and the natives upon listening to them speak were saying “Uhuuthaan” which means “hears as speak” which sounded to the Spanish like “Yucatan”.
Surrounding States:
N – Gulf of Mexico
E – Quintana Roo
S – Quintana Roo and Campeche
W – Gulf of Mexico
Created: December 23, 1823 
State Capital:
Merida 1823 – present
Highest Point : 820 feet ( 250 metres ) – Puuc Hill
Lowest Point: Sea level – Gulf of Mexico
Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) – Merida
Location: Plaza Grande / Calle 61
Built: 1892
Style: Spanish Colonial
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unkown
Description: The building faces south and is a two story white-green coloured stone structure. The building is located on the north side of Plaza Grande in the centre of Merida. The building was constructed on the site of the palace of the colonial governors. The colonial building has a bell above the south entrance. The roof line is flat. In the interior is a square courtyard with grand staircase at the north side. The building contains the Salon de la Historia at the south front of the second floor, and historical murals painted by artist Fernando Castro Pacheco which murals were completed after 25 years of work, in 1978. The building is the Palacio de Gobierno and houses the Governor’s Office.
Legislative Palace (Palacio Legislativo) – Merida
Location: Periferico de Merida Manuel Berzunza and Calle 21.
Built: Unknown
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unkown
Description: The building faces east and is a two story white colored concrete structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds on the west side of Merida. There are north and south two story sections with a wide spanning roof over a wide open plaza between the sections. On the west side is a round white section which contains the legislative chamber. On the southwest is a high rectangular section. The Legislative Palace ( Palacio Legislativo ) houses the State Congress ( Honorable Congreso del Estado de Yucatan ).
Old Legislative Palace (Palacio Legislativo) – Merida
Location: Calle 58 #497 / Calle 58
Built: Unknown
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faced north and was a three story white coluored concrete and glass structure. The building is located in the centre of Merida to the northeast of the Government Palace. Along the north side is Caljon de Congress, a pedestrian mall. The north entrance had a large open portico extending to the third floor and supported by tall narrow pillars. Behind was a glass wall with the Entrance Hall and with the Legislative Chamber on the west side. The building housed the State Congress (Honorable Congreso del Estado de Yucatan) but has been remodeled to house the Palacio de la Musica.
Justice Palace (Palacio de Justicia) – Merida
Location: NW – Avenida Jacinto Canek / Calle 90
Built: 1999 – 2001
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces south and is a three story glass and concrete structure. The building is located in the Colonia Inalambrica district to the west of the centre of Merida. The building is surrounded by large open landscaped grounds. The building is a modern structure completed on March 31, 2001. The south entrance has a semi circular portico with narrow pillars. The interior has a rectangular atrium with reflecting pool, and glass on the north and south sides and offices along the east and west sides. The Palacio de Justicia houses the Tribunal Superior de Justicia.
Government Palace – Merida
Legislative Palace – Merida
Justice Palace – Merida
Photos taken 2006