Ticul

Ticul is a small city and its surrounding municipality in western Yucatán state, Mexico. It is located at 20°40′N, 89°53′W, some 100 km south of the state capital city of Mérida. In the 2005 census Ticul had a population of 21,147, the ninth-largest community in the state in population. The municipality, which has an area of 355.12 km² (137.11 sq mi), reported 25,621 inhabitants. The majority are ethnically Maya. Its largest others towns are Pustunich and Yotholín.

Ticul was a town of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It has been continuously occupied since at least the 7th century BC. After the Spanish conquest of Yucatán Ticul was reestablished as a Spanish colonial town in 1549. The Republic of Yucatán granted Ticul the status of a city in 1847.

The city is nicknamed La Perla del Sur ("The Pearl of the South"), as it is in the southern part of Yucatán state.

Ticul has long been known for the red pottery produced there. In modern times, it is known for its production of shoes as well. Over half the population still speaks the Maya language as their first tongue, although Spanish is also understood. The pork dish poc-chuc and the whors is a well known local specialty.