Final answer:
The Maya traded with Teotihuacan, Aztec, Olmec, and possibly other cultures in Central America, exchanging gold, turquoise, obsidian, and staples such as salt. They were influenced by these cultures and also shared astronomical and calendar knowledge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Maya engaged in long-distance trade with various other Mesoamerican cultures such as the inhabitants of Teotihuacan, the Aztec, and the Olmec. These interactions facilitated the exchange of commodities like gold from Colombia and Panama, turquoise, obsidian from New Mexico, and vital everyday items, including salt from the Yucatán. Cities like Teotihuacan wielded power by exerting control over trade networks, using both diplomacy and military force to maintain their influence. The Olmec civilization also had a robust trade with surrounding regions, which helped in disseminating cultural traits such as religious beliefs and the Mesoamerican ballgame. The Maya themselves developed a complex calendar and understanding of astronomy, as evidenced by their astronomical observatories and the calendar based on the planet Venus.