It is a historic city founded in 1531 located on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, on the Yucatan Peninsula, capital of the state of the same name, famous for being one of the few walled cities in America. It preserves its historical heritage in excellent condition, one of the reasons why it was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. It is the seat of the legislative, executive and judicial powers, as well as an important tourist and commercial center. Its economy is based mainly on the service sector, although in recent years tourism has had a strong boost in this state.