Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city ruin located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Founded in the 5th century AD (around 514 AD), it was the political, religious, and astronomical center of the Mayan civilization at its peak. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Centered around the Pyramid of Kukulkan, the site blends Mayan and Toltec cultures, and contains hundreds of stone structures, including a temple of warriors, a large ball court, and an observatory, showcasing the Mayan people's remarkable architectural and astronomical achievements.