En la casa: Introduction

Other homes that were of historical significance in Mexico, especially in the Yucatán Península, were the haciendas.

The haciendas in the Yucatán were family businesses during the 17th century. Now they are historical attractions for visitors who come to see what life was like in Yucatán state. The majority of these haciendas began as cattle ranches and later were converted to henequen ranches or farms. Henequen is from the cactus family and it was used to produce rope in the 1800s and early 1900s. Most of these haciendas still produce some henequen for the rope but not on the same scale that it was during the time these haciendas were flourishing.

The main houses of these haciendas generally still contain antiques and furniture from the period, giving visitors a real look at what life would have been like during the colonial times in Mexico. Many of them also have a glimpse into the Mayan past of that area of Mexico, as many of the haciendas began on ground that formerly was home to Mayan settlements.

As is true in the United States, in the larger cities in the Spanish-speaking world, many people live in "edificios de apartamentos", or apartment buildings, instead of in single family homes.

Living in apartments tends to cost less than an individual family buying their own home. These apartments, however, can also be purchased instead of rented in most countries.