See also: Jalapa (homonymy)

Xalapa , officially Xalapa Enríquez , is a municipality and the capital of the State de Veracruz with the Mexico. In 2000 the population was approximately 390.000 inhabitants.

History

Its name comes from the Nahuatl “Xallapan”, which means “sources in sand”. The Totonaques were the first people which are established around the hill “Macuiltepetl”. During the 14th century, the four cultures which had developed on the territory built each one a small village:

• Xallitic (“in sand”), founded by Totonaques,
• Techacapan (“river of waste”), founded by the Chichimèques,
• Tecuanapan (“river of the animals”), in north, is founded by the Toltèques,
• Tlalnecapan (“river of Bejuco S” ), founded by the Teochichimèques.

The four villages developed then met by forming a large borough which accepted the name of Xallapan .

Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, fifth Aztec emperor , invades the territory during second half of the 15th century. All the area became thus the possession of the Aztec empire until the arrival of the Conquistador S Spanish S. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (Statesman, politician and soldier, 11 times chair) was born to with it.

The Pepper Jalapeño car its name of this city.

Museum of anthropology

The city has a superb museum of anthropology, whose current building goes back to 1986. It shelters inter alia some major works of art mésoaméricain coming from Veracruz, among which seven of the olmèques colossal heads coming from San Lorenzo, the known olmèque sculpture under the name of “Lord of Mow Filed” and the very discussed Stèle of Mojarra.

Twinning

• Twinned with Covina, city of the County of Los Angeles, since 1964.

Évêché

• Diocese of Xalapa
• Cathedral of Xalapa

External bonds

• Tourist site of Xalapa
• Xalapa official site
• Xalapa Web Magazine

Random links:

Huns | Najas | International Commission one Stratigraphy | The Dominican ones of Lille brood | Daniel Mendelsohn