The Yucatan has an arid subtropical climate.  The six month rainy season from June to December is followed by a six month dry season from January to May.  The Mayans had a very narrow window for planting and harvesting.  They observed the sky in order to track the seasons and determine when to plant.
	Water is very scarce in the Yucatan.  There are almost no rivers and the ground is made up of limestone that acts like a sponge, quickly absorbing any rainfall.   The Mayans were dependent on wells and natural sinkholes for their water supply.  The rain god Chaac was one of their most powerful gods.
	The Mayans practiced slash-burn agriculture.  The soil in the Yucatan is composed of an extremely rich layer of black mold.  However, after about two seasons the soil is depleted, and a new area of land has to be cleared for cultivation.  The main Mayan crops were cotton, maize, beans and squash.  The Mayans raised turkeys, dogs, and bees for food.  They lived in small palm-thatched huts similar to the ones still seen in the Yucatan today.  The Mayans had no metal tools, draft animals, or wheeled vehicles.  Jewelry was made from copper, gold, silver, jade, shells, and colorful plumage.