The term “Cretaceous” refers to the geological period that lasted from about 145 million to 66 million years ago, marking the last period of the Mesozoic Era. It is characterized by the dominance of dinosaurs, the appearance of flowering plants, and significant geological and climatic changes. The name “Cretaceous” is derived from the Latin word “creta,” meaning chalk, as many of the rocks from this period are chalky in nature. The Cretaceous period is divided into two subperiods: the Early Cretaceous and the Late Cretaceous.
