Which civilization extended from southern Mexico to Central America?

The civilization that extended from southern Mexico to Central America is known as the Maya civilization. The Maya were an advanced Mesoamerican culture known for their sophisticated writing system, which is considered the most developed script in pre-Columbian Americas, their outstanding achievements in mathematics and astronomy, and their monumental architecture including pyramids, temples, and palaces. Their civilization flourished in the region from around 2000 BCE to the 16th century CE when the Spanish conquerors arrived.

The Maya civilization had various city-states that were spread across a vast region encompassing today's Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. Each city-state was independent and governed by a holy lord, but they shared common cultural and religious beliefs. The Maya developed a complex calendar system and made significant mathematical discoveries, including the concept of zero. They were also skilled farmers, creating extensive agricultural terraces and managing resources in the varied environments of the region. The collapse of the Maya civilization is a subject of much study and debate among archaeologists and historians, with theories ranging from overpopulation and agricultural failure to warfare and climate change. Despite the decline of their city-states, Maya culture continues to influence the descendants who still live in the region today, and many aspects of Maya heritage are preserved in their language, customs, and traditions.