What has contributed the economic development of the Yucatan peninsula?

Answer 1

During the early years of the 20th century, tropical fruit cultivation, fishing and some livestock rising were common. Traditionally, henequen (Agave fourcroydes) was being cultivated for the manufacture of rope and twine; nowadays due to ecological reasons, the henequen agro-industry has been revived.

During the 20th century, the economy diversified to include industries such as food and tobacco, textiles and some non-metallic mineral mining. Oil in the Bay of Campeche (bordering the peninsula) was found during the 1920's, thus becoming one of the most important industries not only of the region, but of the country as a whole. However, the most important sector for the peninsula has been tourism, as the peninsula lies between the Gulf of Mexico to the west and north, and the Caribbean Sea to the east; some of the most important cities include Campeche (791,322), Merida (734,153) and Cancun (526,701).