Tlaxcala, Mexico, is the smallest state in Mexico and has one of the densest populations. It holds diverse tourist and archaeological attractions, and straddles the border between rural communities and massive Mexico City 60 miles to the west.
Statistics
Tlaxcala became a state with 60 municipalities on Feb. 5, 1857. Its name comes from the Náhuatl word that means "place of born bread." It measures 1,555 square miles, less than half of 1 percent of Mexico's total surface area.
Location
Tlaxcala is 60 miles east of Mexico City. Puebla state is to its south, east and northeast, Hidalgo to the north, and Morelos a short distance to the southwest. Tlaxcala is situated at more than 6,500 feet of elevation and contains Mexico's fifth-highest mountain, La Malinche.
Culture
Tlaxcala includes Cacaxtla, an important Olmec Cixalanca archaeological site. After the fall of the Olmec Xicalancas, Tlaxcala was inhabited by Teo-Chichimecas until the present-day Tlaxcalans drove them out around 1350. Tlaxcala was in almost constant conflict with the Mexica or Meshica Indians to the west, another tribe of the Aztec culture, but was never conquered. It remains as an independent enclave within the expanding Mexica empire.
Economy
Tlaxcala's main exports are pharmaceuticals, chemicals and textiles. As of 2009, the typical monthly rent in Tlaxcala is around $275 and cost of living can range from $2,000 to above $5,000 depending on your standards.
Convention Center
The Tlaxcala state convention center is located in Adolfo Lopez Mateos Colony. It occupies about 6,500 square feet with room for 3,000 people and can be divided into as many as 10 halls by means of sliding acoustic partitions.
Climate and Agriculture
Average annual precipitation ranges from 19 to 47 inches. Principle crops include corn, barley, wheat, beans and grain for animal fodder. Livestock exports include cattle for butchering, milking and bullfighting, pigs, horses, and goats.
About The Author
Marie Mulrooney has written professionally since 2001. Her diverse background includes numerous outdoor pursuits, personal training and linguistics. She studied mathematics at the University of Alaska Anchorage and contributes regularly to such websites as eHow, Garden Guides, LiveSTRONG and Trails.com. Print publication credits include national magazines, poetry awards and long-lived columns about local outdoor adventures.
