Lacandon Jungle

The Lacandon Forest covers a humid region of rivers, lakes and dense tropical vegetation in eastern Chiapas. At the time of Spanish expansion, Ch’ol-speaking Lakandon communities occupied the forest, including an island settlement at Lake Miramar known as Lakam Tun. After its capture in 1586, some withdrew deeper into the forest and established Sak Balam. They maintained their independence there until a Spanish campaign reached the settlement in 1695.