The Puuc region in the Yucatán peninsula in southern Mexico is recognized as one of the most beautiful areas of the Maya world. "Puuc" in Yucatec Mayan means "hill" and this area is the only place in this flat limestone peninsula where there are any hills. There are eight major archaeological sites open to the public, as well as many unexcavated sites and contemporary Maya towns and villages. The principal archaeological site is Uxmal, which is surrounded by seven other sites: Kabah, Sayil, Xlapac, Labná, Chacmultún, Loltún, and Oxkintok. These ancient cities, declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, share an highly-decorated style of Maya architecture that is known as Puuc. In ancient times, these cities were connected by roads called "sac be'o'ob" in Yucatec Mayan. The decorative style reflects a common worship of Chac. From 300 to 1200 CE this region thrived with a large population of Maya people. It is estimated that there were 25,000 people in the city of Uxmal alone. Today, their descendants live and work in this culturally-rich agricultural region. The story of how the tallest pyramid in Uxmal was built is told in The Legend of the Dwarf and the Governor of Uxmal.