Referred to colloquially as ‘The White City’, Mérida is the capital and largest city of the Yucatán state.  With a population of 970,000 people, it is the 12th most populated city in Mexico. Mérida is home to one of the largest centro historicos (historical centres) in the Americas.

The city is located in the Chicxulub crater, which is linked to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Mérida is geographically isolated from the rest of Mexico, which has contributed to its status as a unique cultural centre with many restaurants, shops, museums and art galleries.

Mérida is an active participant in sustainable development and hosts various international events in this field, including the Science in Decision-Making Workshops in 2007 and the Third National Land Congress in 2009.