The classical period, which began around 250 AD, was the golden age of the Mayan Empire.
The classic Mayan Civilization grew to about 40 cities, including Tikal, Uaxactún, Copán, Bonampak, Dos Pilas, Calakmul, Palenque and Río Bec; each city had a population of between 5,000 and 50,000 people. At its peak, the Mayan population may have reached 2,000,000.