The Maya settled villages across Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize from approximately 1500 BCE. By 200 CE, they had established themselves as a dominant force in the region, known for their advancements in architecture, astronomy, and hieroglyphic writing. Their civilization began to decline in the 10th century CE, but present-day Maya communities still inhabit this geographic area, preserving their rich cultural heritage and often speaking Spanish alongside their indigenous languages.