Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida, Mérida, Yucatán, México February 2015 The fiber from henequen (sisal) was used to make rope and was much in demand in the late 19th century / early 20th century; great wealth came to the Yucatan and merida and many mansions and haciendas were built. The wealth, needless to say, didn't trickle down to the actual henequen workers. "Henequen made vast fortunes for the hacendados who cultivated it past the turn of the century. Yucatan produced ninety per cent of the rope and burlap bags used worldwide. The hacendados lived lives of wealth and privilege, like the silver barons in mountainous Mexico. Like silver, the industry declined after the first World War, due to the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution and the economic and political unrest of the period. It made a comeback during the second World War, but never got back to its prewar heyday. The advent of synthetics and the cultivation of the plant in Brazil, Madagascar, Tanzania and Manila combined to bring the industry to its knees." Even today, sisal fibers are used to make a low-maintenance rug. Fernando Castro Pacheco (January 26, 1918 – August 8, 2013) was a Mexican painter, engraver, illustrator, print maker and teacher. He was born and died in Merida. Mexico 2015 240