Tapachula
| Location | ||
|---|---|---|
 The location of Chiapas in Mexico. | ||
 The location of Tapachula in Chiapas. | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Capital | Tapachula | |
| Area | 303 km² km² Ranked 21st | |
| Population (2000 census) |
300,600 | |
| ISO 3166-2 Postal abbr. |
Tapachula, Mexico Tapachula. | |
Tapachula is a hot, humid city in the Mexican state of Chiapas. It is located in southern part of the state, near the border with Guatemala, at 14.91° N 92.27° W. In 2004 the estimated population was 300,600 people. The city has one of the highest GDP per capita in Mexico, though the vast majority of the population live in poverty. It is called the "Perla del Soconusco" which translated means the Pearl of Soconusco, as the coastal region of Chiapas in known. Similar to most Mexican towns, walking through its streets resembles a chaotic cacophony of Spanish and Latin sounds and smells. From the marimba sounds of downtown Tapachula, to the waves of its beaches and warmth of people in its suburbs. Shopping malls, Restaurants, Convention Centers, an International Airport and a Cruise Harbor are just examples of the potential of this small but vibrant city.
Tapachula is most famous as the point at which the undocumented migrants begin their trek northward in search of jobs, and a better life. Before Hurricane Stan devestated the Soconusco region, a train system carried large numbers of these migrants weekly to the north, and often with devestating results death and dissmemberment). However, the bridges supporting the rails over many of the rivers were washed away during the heavy rains and the train has been stopped. There are still a large number of hungry, poor from all over Latin america throughout the streets of the downtown area, waiting for a chance to make their way north (now mainly by buses).
Tapachula is also one of the main centers for the notorious gangs known as Mara Salvatruchas.
Tapachula's main attractions are:
- The colonial-era Temple of San Agustín
- The Archaeological Museum,
- The German houses and Haciendas,
- The variety of Asian cuisine,
- The pyramids of Izapa
- The beach of San Benito
- The central park
Culture
The population mix is culturally diverse. From indios and mestizos, Spanish, German, Chinese, Japanese, French and several others. The International Fair of Tapachula is celebrated during March with cattle agricultural and commercial exhibition.
Important newspapers are the Tapachultecan "El Orbe" and the Soconuscan "El Diario del Sur"; radio can be received from both Mexico and Guatemala.
Important politicians, scientists, and artists were born in Tapachula, like Fray Matías de Córdova and Amparo Montes. During the history of the city several foreign cultures had influence in the rich history of the city. The Germans came during the coffee boom and created German villages and haciendas where their ancestors live today, and haciendas like: Hamburgo, Bremen, Germania, etc. still remind us of the first Saxons of the area. The Japanese and the Chinese also left a strong influence in Tapachula, in the cuisine and arquitecture. They came to construct railroads and were the first Asian immigrants in Latin America. Italian, French and other expats descendants still live along the Spanish, Mestizo and Indians of the region.
Suburbs
Tapachula is a megacity that includes several suburbs incluiding beaches like Playa Linda,Puerto Madero, Viva Mexico a downtown Tapachula and even a Cruise Harbor named Puerto Chiapas (2005).
Education
The city is an examplary cultural hub, strong involvement of the government of Mexico is changing trends of literacy around this city. Although there are not that many universities, most majors are offered from law and accounting (UNACH, CEST), to medicine and civil engineering (IESCH, Tecnologico de Tapachula).