The Mayan civilization lasted for approximately 2,000 years. It began around 2000 BCE and continued until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century CE. The civilization went through several periods, including the Preclassic (2000 BCE to 250 CE), Classic (250 CE to 900 CE), and Postclassic (900 CE to 1521 CE) periods.
During the Classic period, the Mayan civilization reached its peak, with significant advancements in architecture, mathematics, astronomy, and writing. The decline of the Mayan civilization began around 900 CE, but some Mayan city-states continued to thrive until the arrival of the Spanish.
The Mayan civilization is known for its impressive cities, such as Tikal, Chichen Itza, and Palenque, as well as its complex calendar system and hieroglyphic writing. Despite the decline of their civilization, the Mayan people and their culture continue to exist today, particularly in regions of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador.