PETEN

region of northern Guatemala, bounded on the north and west by Mexico and on the east by Belize. It constitutes more than one-third of the nation's territory. Petn is a low limestone plateau, varying in elevation between 500 and 700 feet (150 and 210 m) above sea level at the base of the Yucatn Peninsula. Except for areas of savanna vegetation, the region is covered by dense tropical rain forests. Few rivers penetrate Petn, for most of the heavy rainfall is drained underground. Because of its vegetation and unsuitability for agriculture, Petn long has been isolated. The centre of the Mayan Old Empire, it contains ruins of many Mayan cities, most notably Tikal (where in the 1970s the government established a large park with tourist facilities) and Uaxactn (qq.v.). The Maya Itz Indians, whose centre was at Lake Petn Itz, were not subdued by the Spanish until 1697. The major resources of Petn lie in its forests, which yield mahogany, tropical cedar, rubber, and chicle. Some oil has been found in the area. Sugarcane, cacao, fruits, and grains are cultivated around Flores, the main town, which lies on Lake Petn Itz. Thousands of people have migrated to Petn from the overworked lands to the south and, through slash-and-burn agriculture, have attempted to turn the forests into farmland. Flores is accessible by highway from Belize; other roads radiate to the Mexican border and to navigable rivers. The first road connecting the central part of the country with northern Petn was completed in 1970, but much transportation in Petn is by air.