Why was the Maya heartland a challenging environment?

The Maya heartland, located in present-day southern Mexico and northern Central America, posed several environmental challenges due to its dense tropical forests, rugged terrain, and variable rainfall patterns. The region's heavy rainfall could lead to flooding, while prolonged dry spells could result in drought, complicating agricultural practices. Additionally, the poor soil quality in some areas made sustainable farming difficult, necessitating advanced agricultural techniques to support the large Maya population. These environmental factors influenced the development and sustainability of Maya city-states.