Jalapa, Mexico

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hills in a garden-like region at the foot of the Cerro de Macuiltepec. It is surrounded by high mountains, with the Cofre de Perote (Nauhcampatépetl) towering above the others, and to the south can be seen the Pico de Orizaba (Citlaltépetl), Mexico's highest mountain. This situation gives the region an abundant rainfall and at times heavy cloud cover, promoting a luxuriant growth of vegetation.

History

When Cortés passed through Jalapa (Náhuatl name "Xallaapan", or "river in the sand") in 1519 on his way to Tenochtitlán it was a flourishing Indian settlement under Aztec influence. After the Conquest Spaniards settled here in large numbers. During the colonial period Jalapa was famed for its annual fair, at which goods brought from Spain by the returning ''silver ships" were sold. Lying 120km/75mi from Veracruz and 300km/185mi from Mexico City, it later became a staging point on the mailcoach route.

Narrow streets and alleyways, their gaily coloured houses and luxuriant gardens dating from the Spanish period, contrast strikingly with the wide avenues of the newer districts. There are few colonial buildings of note, the most interesting being the huge late 18th c. cathedral situated diagonally opposite the Parque Juarez. Across on the other side of the park stands the pale-coloured government building.