Hubbry Logo
XalapaXalapaMain
Open search
Xalapa
Community hub
Xalapa
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Xalapa
Xalapa
Xalapa
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Xalapa or Jalapa (English: /həˈlɑːpə/,[2] Spanish: [xaˈlapa] ⓘ), officially Xalapa-Enríquez (IPA: [xaˈlapa enˈrikes]), is the capital city of the Mexican state of Veracruz and the name of the surrounding municipality. In 2020 census the city reported a population of 443,063 and the municipality of which it serves as municipal seat reported a population of 488,531.[3] The municipality has an area of 118.45 km2. Xalapa lies near the geographic center of the state and is the second-largest city in the state after the city of Veracruz to the southeast.

Key Information

Etymology

[edit]
The Palace of Government of Veracruz (Governor's Office)

The name Xalapa comes from the Classical Nahuatl roots xālli (pronounced [ʃaːlːi], 'sand') and āpan ([aːpan], 'place of water'), which means approximately 'spring in the sand'. It's classically pronounced [ʃalaːpan] in Nahuatl, although the final /n/ is often omitted.[citation needed] This was adopted into Spanish as Xalapa.

The complete name of the city is Xalapa-Enríquez, bestowed in honor of a governor from the 19th century, Juan de la Luz Enríquez. The city's nickname, "City of Flowers" (Spanish: La ciudad de las flores), was given by Alexander von Humboldt, who visited the city 10 February 1804. The reference is also related to the city's older colonial history. According to folklore, the Spanish believed that Jalapa was the birthplace and home of the world's most beautiful woman, la Florecita, which literally means 'little flower'.[citation needed] The residents of Xalapa are called Xalapeños or Jalapeños, which is also the name given to the popular large peppers cultivated in this area.

History

[edit]

The Totonacs first established themselves around Macuiltepetl ("fifth mountain" in Nahuatl).[4] This extinct volcano received its name because the Aztecs used it as the fifth reference mountain to get to the gulf of Mexico's shores. Today it is preserved in a park. During the 14th century, four indigenous peoples settled in the territory today known as Xalapa. Each built a small village: Xalitic (in the sand) was founded by the Totonacas; in the northeast Tecuanapan (river of the beasts) was founded by the Toltecas, and Tlalnecapan was founded by the Teochichimecas.

Around 1313, the four villages grew together and joined, forming one large village named Xallapan. Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, the fifth Aztec emperor, invaded the territory during the second half of the 15th century. All the land was ruled as part of the Aztec Empire before the arrival and conquest of the Spanish conquistadores.

In 1519 Hernán Cortés passed through en route to Tenochtitlan.[5]: 135  In 1555 Spanish Franciscans completed construction of a convent, an important event in the Nueva España of that time.

Charles IV of Spain officially elevated the status of Xalapa to villa on 18 December 1791.

When the Spanish invaded, Xalapa was barely populated. The population rose after the conquest and colonial settlement. When the Spanish improved the Mexico-Orizaba-Veracruz route, Xalapa declined in importance as a transport hub, and its population stagnated in the 17th century.[6]

From 1720 on Xalapa became increasingly important, due to trade with merchants from New Spain arriving to buy and sell the products of the peninsula.[6] Numerous Spanish families from the nearby towns settled in Xalapa, so by 1760 the population had increased to over 1,000 inhabitants, including mestizo and Spanish. Among local items of commerce were botanical medicines particularly ipomoea purga source of a drug known in English as Jalap. The growth of Xalapa in population, culture, commerce and importance, increased dramatically in the 18th century. Responding to residents' requests, Carlos IV of Spain declared Xalapa a town on 18 December 1791.[6]

In 1772, construction of Xalapa Cathedral began. On 18 May 1784, José María Alfaro got the first air balloon in the Americas, airborne, in Xalapa. Due to the abundance of flowers growing in the region, Alexander von Humboldt, who visited the town on 10 February 1804, christened it the "city of the flowers".[6]

On 29 November 1830 by decree, Xalapa was named a city. In 1843, Don Antonio María de Rivera founded the Normal School of Xalapa to train teachers. Today it operates as a preparatory school for students going to college.

In 1847, during the Mexican–American War, Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna attempted to defeat the opposing forces near Xalapa in the Battle of Cerro Gordo. He led an army of more than 12,000 soldiers. Mexican troops suffered many casualties; around a thousand were killed and three thousand wounded on 18 April 1847. The US invaders occupied the city the following day.[6] Among them was Lt. Ulysses S. Grant, later the commanding general of the Union armies in the American Civil War. Grant's letters call Jalapa "decidedly the most beautiful place I ever saw in my life" and its climate "the best in the world."[7]

Battle of Cerro Gordo (1847)

Xalapeños such as Ambrosio Alcalde and Antonio García fought hard to defend the city of Veracruz, but were taken prisoner. They were released and paroled, but after rejoining the fighting against the US, they were recaptured near Teocelo, taken to Xalapa, sentenced to death and executed on 24 November 1847.[6] Today these two men are remembered as martyrs. An obelisk commemorates their sacrifice, between San Jose Church and Alcalde Market, named for Ambrosio Alcalde.[6] US forces marched on to capture Mexico City and departed after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

In November 1862 Xalapa was attacked in the French invasion; foreigners temporarily took control of the state capital. On 27 November 1867 the corpse of emperor Maximilian I of Mexico, who had been executed in Querétaro, arrived and was held in San José, attended by the priest José María y Daza, then transferred to Veracruz the following day. The remains were shipped back to Austria for burial.[6]

Governor Juan de la Luz Enríquez (1836–1892) for whom the city is named

In 1885 General Juan de la Luz Enríquez increased the influence of Xalapa when he moved some legislative authority from Orizaba to Xalapa, in accordance with a decree issued in June 1884 by provisional Governor Juan Manuel Fernández de Jáuregui. Enríquez and Swiss teacher Enrique C. Rébsamen in 1886 founded the Normal School in Xalapa, the first school of this type in the country.[6] Enríquez died in 1892, but the construction of the Normal School and founding of its other schools led to Xalapa becoming known as a center of learning, the "Athens of Veracruz".[6]

On 18 May 1911, Francisco I. Madero visited Xalapa. On 21 June of the same year a minor conflict occurred between federal forces and revolutionaries.[6]

Geography

[edit]

Climate

[edit]
Xalapa-Enríquez, Veracruz (1991-2020)
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
48
 
 
21
10
 
 
34
 
 
22
11
 
 
57
 
 
24
13
 
 
70
 
 
27
15
 
 
110
 
 
28
16
 
 
284
 
 
27
16
 
 
180
 
 
26
15
 
 
213
 
 
26
15
 
 
253
 
 
26
16
 
 
132
 
 
25
15
 
 
48
 
 
22
12
 
 
34
 
 
21
11
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Servicio Meteorológico Nacional,[8][9] NOAA[10]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.9
 
 
70
50
 
 
1.4
 
 
72
52
 
 
2.2
 
 
75
55
 
 
2.7
 
 
81
59
 
 
4.3
 
 
82
61
 
 
11
 
 
81
61
 
 
7.1
 
 
79
59
 
 
8.4
 
 
79
59
 
 
9.9
 
 
79
61
 
 
5.2
 
 
77
59
 
 
1.9
 
 
72
54
 
 
1.4
 
 
70
52
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Overlooking the Paseo de los Lagos in Xalapa

Xalapa features an oceanic climate (Cfb) that borders on a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) under the Köppen climate classification. The climate in Xalapa is humid, but the city is relatively cool being located in the mountains over 1400 meters above sea level. The climate can be variable, having a maximum temperature of 38.4 °C and a minimum ranging from 0 °C to 10 °C, but on average the temperature does not fluctuate greatly all year round with an average annual temperature of 18 °C. The warmer season in Xalapa tends to fall between March and reaching a peak in May when the average high reaches 28 °C and low of 16 °C. The cooler season is late December, January and February with an average low of 11 °C and an average high of 21 °C. Travelers to Xalapa will generally find that the most comfortable weather occurs from the beginning of November to mid-April, although they would be well-advised to bring warm clothing, as nighttime winter temperatures can occasionally drop to near 0 °C.

The average annual precipitation is 1509.1 mm.[11] During the cooler winter months rainfall is at a minimum, with Xalapa receiving only 42 millimeters in January and 38 millimetres in February on average. Snow, however, is common in winter outside the city at Perote, located around 35 minutes from Xalapa. Very early in the morning, Xalapa often has a mist, giving it a characteristic mountain atmosphere. The greatest rainfall occurs during the summer months, particularly in June, when on average rainfall reaches 328 millimeters, remaining relatively high until mid-September.

Climate data for Xalapa-Enríquez (1991-2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 32.4
(90.3) 		33.4
(92.1) 		37.4
(99.3) 		37.0
(98.6) 		38.4
(101.1) 		36.0
(96.8) 		31.5
(88.7) 		31.9
(89.4) 		32.4
(90.3) 		32.9
(91.2) 		33.0
(91.4) 		32.5
(90.5) 		38.4
(101.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 20.6
(69.1) 		22.4
(72.3) 		24.4
(75.9) 		26.8
(80.2) 		27.5
(81.5) 		26.6
(79.9) 		26.1
(79.0) 		26.3
(79.3) 		25.6
(78.1) 		24.5
(76.1) 		22.4
(72.3) 		21.3
(70.3) 		24.5
(76.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 14.9
(58.8) 		16.3
(61.3) 		18.1
(64.6) 		20.2
(68.4) 		21.1
(70.0) 		20.7
(69.3) 		20.1
(68.2) 		20.1
(68.2) 		19.8
(67.6) 		18.8
(65.8) 		16.9
(62.4) 		15.7
(60.3) 		18.6
(65.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 10.4
(50.7) 		11.3
(52.3) 		12.8
(55.0) 		14.9
(58.8) 		16.0
(60.8) 		16.3
(61.3) 		15.3
(59.5) 		15.4
(59.7) 		15.8
(60.4) 		14.5
(58.1) 		12.4
(54.3) 		11.1
(52.0) 		13.8
(56.8)
Record low °C (°F) 0.2
(32.4) 		0.0
(32.0) 		2.8
(37.0) 		4.0
(39.2) 		7.0
(44.6) 		9.0
(48.2) 		9.0
(48.2) 		9.5
(49.1) 		9.8
(49.6) 		5.0
(41.0) 		−2.2
(28.0) 		0.9
(33.6) 		−2.2
(28.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 48.2
(1.90) 		34.3
(1.35) 		56.9
(2.24) 		69.6
(2.74) 		110.2
(4.34) 		284.3
(11.19) 		180.4
(7.10) 		213.4
(8.40) 		252.5
(9.94) 		131.7
(5.19) 		47.8
(1.88) 		34.3
(1.35) 		1,463.6
(57.62)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 14.9 12.2 12.8 13.8 14.1 18.5 18.1 20.0 21.7 18.4 14.9 14.0 193.5
Average relative humidity (%) 79 76 75 73 76 80 80 81 83 81 82 81 79
Mean monthly sunshine hours 143 133 166 155 159 138 215 168 132 145 154 142 1,850
Source 1: Servicio Meteorológico Nacional,[8][12] NOAA[10]
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (Sun 1961–1990)[13][a]

The municipality

[edit]

Xalapa is situated in eastern-central Mexico, approximately 55 miles (89 km) northwest of Veracruz city.[14] and roughly 350 kilometres from Mexico City. The municipality of Xalapa has an area of 118.45 square kilometres which comprises 0.16% of Veracruz state. It borders to the north with Banderilla, Jilotepec and Naolinco, to the east with Actopan and Emiliano Zapata, to the south with Coatepec and the west with Tlalnelhuayocan.[15]

Naolinco volcanic field, north of Xalapa city

Situated east, about 50 km (31 mi) away along Mexican Federal Highway 140 is the Cofre de Perote National Park. The park covers an area of 117 km2 (29,000 acres), and consists of mainly forested mountains and hills. Its highest point of Cerro de Macuiltépetl rises 1522 metres above sea level. Other hills of prominence include the Cerro de Acalotépetl and the Cerro Colorado.

From Xalapa you can also see the Pico de Orizaba, the highest peak in Mexico (5,366m or 18,490 feet). It is also the third highest peak in North America.

Hydrographically, there are numerous streams and springs which are in the area around the city.[15] These include the rivers: Sedeño River, Carneros River, Sordo River, Santiago River, Zapotillo River, Castillo River and the Coapexpan River, 3 artificial lakes and the springs Chiltoyac, Ánimas, Xallitic, Techacapan and Tlalnecapan.[15] Jalcomulco is located 39 km (24 mi) southeast of Xalapa which has numerous natural features, such as the mouth of the Pescados River. Cascada de Texolo (Texolo Waterfall) is located 19 km (12 mi) southwest of Xalapa, in the town of Xico. It is an 80 meters (260 feet) waterfall that drops into a lush canyon, home to numerous animal species.

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1995 336,632—    
2000 390,590+16.0%
2005 413,136+5.8%
2010 457,928+10.8%
2015 480,841+5.0%
2020 488,531+1.6%
[3]

With a population of 443,063 inhabitants in Xalapa City and 488,531 inhabitants in the municipality as 2020, Xalapa is the second biggest city and municipality in terms of population in Veracruz.[3] There are 63 localities, 6 classified as urban and 57 classified as rural, besides Xalapa-Enríquez, other localities includes Santa Bárbara (13,783 hab.), El Castillo (6,957 hab.), Lomas Verdes (6,502 hab.) and Las Fuentes (3,614 hab.).[3] 6,542 are classified as living in indigenous homes, 2,673 of which speak an indigenous language.[3]

Xalapa is the core of a metropolitan area, which together with the municipalities of Banderilla, Coatepec, Coacoatzintla, Emiliano Zapata, Jilotepec, Rafael Lucio, Tlalnelhuayocan and Xico had a population of 789,157 inhabitants as 2020, the second biggest metro area in the state after Veracruz.

Economy

[edit]
Local commerces at Downtown Xalapa

Xalapa is often called the "Flower Garden of Mexico"[14] and flowers play an important role in the economy. Xalapa is one of the most important places for coffee production in Mexico due to its ideal climate, and coffee beans are grown on both small holdings and large estates in the surrounding mountains.[14] The tobacco industry also forms a part of the local economy with the process of producing cigarettes, and the growing of tropical fruits.[14] Processed foods and beverages are also produced in Xalapa.[16]

Many people in Xalapa are employed by the government, since it is the state capital. Xalapa is also the head one of the five regional sections of the Tribunal Electoral (a level below the Supreme Court). This area encompasses seven states: Campeche, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz and Yucatán. The other regional seats are Mexico City, Toluca, Monterrey and Guadalajara.

Costco store with Centro Mayor Tower at the bottom

The city is a thriving center for commerce and many multinational companies have large retail stores and franchise restaurants in the city.

Xalapa also has a number of cinemas, some of them of substantial size, such as the Cinepolis Museum (10 screens), Cinepolis the Americas (16 screens), and other cinemas, such as XTreme Cinemas in Crystal and Cinetix in Plaza Animas, which is a local movie theater. There are also several retail malls in Xalapa: Plaza Crystal, Plaza Museo, Plaza Animas (L.A. Fashion), Plaza Américas, and Plaza los Arcos.

The supermarket chain Chedraui is based in Xalapa.[16]

Employment structure in Xalapa in 2005:

Industry sector Typical professions % of population
Primary Industry Farming, cattle ranching, hunting and fishing 4.21[16]
Secondary Industry Petroleum Mining, extraction and natural gas, manufacturing, industry, electricity, water and construction 19%[16]
Tertiary Industry Commerce, transport and communications, financial, social and administrative services 70%[16]
Unspecified – 2.9%[16]

Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant (LVNPP) in nearby Alto Lucero, Veracruz, produces about 4.5% of Mexico's electrical energy.

Culture

[edit]
Giant Olmec head, a mark of the indigenous civilizations of Xalapa
Picadas, a local dish served for breakfast

Xalapa is known as the "Athens of Veracruz" because of the strong cultural influence of its major university, Universidad Veracruzana (the main public university in the State of Veracruz). General Enriquez is known for policies encouraging the educational system in Xalapa.

Culturally, Xalapa has a wide variety of events associated with its theatres, museums, and street art. Many musicians and dancers frequently perform in the center in the nights, especially on special occasions and events of celebration or commemoration; they often dance the fandango.

Art has a keen following in Xalapa. The gallery, Pinacoteca Diego Rivera, located near the City Hall and Parque Juárez in downtown, has the most numerous collection of Diego Rivera's paintings in all of Mexico.[17]

Holidays

[edit]

Feast day of San José, Feast of Santiago Apostle, Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Jesus, Conception of Maria, and Expo-Fair International are all celebrated in the city. An important religious holiday is on 8 December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, celebrating Mary the Mother of God patroness of the city. On 24 October San Rafael Guizar and Valencia are celebrated, with thousands of people from all over Mexico visiting their tomb that is in a chapel within the cathedral. The cathedral remains open all night and day during this event.

Cuisine

[edit]

Xalapa is the place of origin of the famous jalapeño peppers.[18] Dishes made with maize: gorditas, tostadas, pasties, enfrijoladas, and chicken are common. The desserts that are consumed in the region are typically sweet such as cake and cocadas and craft candies like candied fruit, dulce de leche and jamoncillo.

Notable city landmarks

[edit]
Xalapa Cathedral
Xalapa Anthropology Museum
  • The Xalapa Cathedral is a mix of Baroque and Neo-Gothic design built in 1773. It has a clock tower, the clock is originally from England.
  • Callejón Diamante (lit. Diamond Alley) is one of the more crowded streets at night because of its Bohemian atmosphere with cafes and an artists' colony. Callejón Jesús te Ampare is a cobblestone street next to the Church of San José.
  • Patio Muñoz is a neighborhood built in the 19th century, with most of the original buildings intact. Here are held workshops in Veracruz-style painting, dance and music.
  • Parque Juárez is a park in central Xalapa.[19] Parque Juárez was the location of the Monastery of San Francisco. It is located among the four oldest neighborhoods of the city. Its central garden features enormous monkey puzzle trees, art gallerys, an agora, workshops, an auditorium and a café.
  • The Jardín de Esculturas (Sculpture Garden) is a museum dedicated to sculpture, exhibiting works by nationally and internationally recognized artists.
  • The Kaná, Museo de Ciencia y Tecnología (Technology and Science Museo) features a planetarium with an IMAX screen, showing educational documentaries.[20]
  • In the Paseo de los Lagos, there used to be an ancient dam. Today it has footpaths surrounded by leafy trees, circling three lakes and a fresh-water spring.
  • The Parque de los Tecajetes is in a natural depression or ravine of the same name in the center of the city. Underneath is a fresh-water spring that feeds the aqueducts, artificial pools and canals of the park.
  • The Xalapa Museum of Anthropology houses the largest collection of artifacts from Mexican Gulf Coast cultures such as the Olmec, the Huastec and the Totonac with more than 25,000 pieces. The most notable pieces in the museum are the giant Olmec heads and the smaller Totonac ones. Some of the pieces in the museum date back to the Early Pre-Classic Period from 1300 BC −900 BC.[21]
  • Nearby is the Hacienda del Lencero Its first owner was Juan Lencero, a soldier of Hernán Cortés. In 1842 it was purchased by Antonio López de Santa Anna for 45,000 pesos.[22] Today, it is a museum which displays furniture and personal belongings dating from the 19th century. It also has a chapel, spacious gardens and a lake surrounding the property which include a sculpture by Gabriela Mistral who spent time there while in exile.
  • The Jardín Botánico Clavijero (Clavijero Botanical Garden) has an important collection of regional plants with sections dedicated to Mexican ornamental flowers, reconstructed mountain environments in Xalapa, ferns and the most extensive variety of pines in Mexico.[23]

Parks and gardens

[edit]
Juárez Park
  • Jardín Botánico de Xalapa
  • Parque Juárez
  • Parque Los Berros
  • Parque Ecológico "Cerro del Macuiltépec"
  • Paseo de Los Lagos
  • Parque Ecológico "El Haya"
  • Parque "Natura"
  • Jardines de la Universidad Veracruzana
  • Parque "Tejar Garnica"
  • Jardín de las Esculturas
  • Parque Ecológico de Los Tecajetes
  • Parque María Enriqueta
  • Parque Revolución
  • Parque Bicentenario
  • Stadium Xalapeño

Sport

[edit]
Athletics at Heriberto Jara Corona Stadium in 1991

Xalapa is home to the Halcones UV Xalapa, a very successful professional basketball team. They play in the LNBP

  • The team was created in 2003 and placed 3rd in the LNBP
  • In 2004 they were champions of the south division, and got second overall in the LNBP
  • In 2005 they were champions of the south division and champions of the LNBP
  • In 2006 they were champions of the south division, and got second in the LNBP. They also placed second in the Copa Independencia LNBP
  • In 2007 – 2008 they were champions of the south division and champions of the LNBP
  • In 2008 – 2009 they were champions of the south division and champions of the LNBP. They also placed second in the FIBA de las Americas.

Xalapa also has many sporting facilities. As of 2005, the city has 25 soccer fields, 95 volleyball fields, 95 basketball courts, 36 baseball fields, and 29 multiple-use fields.[24]

Also, the city has 12 gymnasiums, 7 parks, and the notable Heriberto Jara Corona Stadium, inaugurated 1921–1925.[24]

Sportspeople of note hailing from Xalapa include Armando Fernández (an Olympic wrestler), Eulalio Ríos Alemán (an Olympic swimmer and at some time butterfly-stroke record holder in the US, inducted into the Ft. Lauderdale's International Swimming Hall of Fame), and the track and field athlete Luis Hernández.[citation needed]

Every four years the Central American Games take place in cities all over Central America and the Caribbean. In 2012 Veracruz was chosen to host these games in 2014. Several events took place in Xalapa. The Track Cycling was held in the Velodrome, the Modern Pentathlon Swimming took place in the University Swimming Pool, the Athletics trials in the Hilberto Jara Corona Stadium, and Badminton and Table Tennis in the Omega Complex. All of this brought recognition in the sports world to Xalapa.[citation needed]

The Cuban athlete Sandra Mustelier, a member of the table tennis team, decided to flee the hotel where her team was staying two days before the opening of the Central American Games in Veracruz. The 28-year-old athlete did not collect her accreditation in Veracruz, a situation for which her teammates located her immediately by phone. When contacted, Mustelier herself informed her team of her defection. No investigation was undertaken by the Mexican authorities regarding this situation. Mustelier was considered to be a strong contender to win medals in table tennis.[citation needed]

Transportation

[edit]

The city is connected by the 140-D Highway with the cities of Veracruz, Puebla and Mexico City. Also the 140 Road provides a link between those cities.

Several bus companies are based in Xalapa including Servicio Urbano de Xalapa (SUX);[25] Auto-Transportes Banderilla (ATB);[26] the yellow and green sets of Interbus,[27] Auto-Transportes Miradores Del Mar;[28] and Transportes Rápidos de Veracruz (TRV)[29] amongst many others.

The city of Xalapa is served by a small airport, El Lencero Airport,[30] located 15 minutes by road from the city. It is currently not served by any commercial airline.

Healthcare

[edit]

The public institutions of the health sector that provide services are:[31]

  • Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social IMSS,
  • Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado ISSSTE,
  • Centro de Alta Especialidad CAE (anteriormente Centro de Especialidades Médicas CEM),
  • Petróleos Mexicanos PEMEX,
  • Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional SDN
  • Secretaría de Salud de Veracruz SESVER,
  • Centro de Rehabilitación y Educación Especial de Veracruz CREEVER,
  • Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia DIF.[31][32]

In the private sector the municipality counts on important medical establishments such as:

  • Sanatorio San Francisco,
  • Clínica del American Hospital,
  • Clínica de especialidades Las Palmas,
  • Vital Clínica Hospital,
  • Cruz Roja Mexicana,
  • Centro Médico de Xalapa,
  • Clínica Millenium
  • Hospital Ángeles.[31]

Education

[edit]

Universities

[edit]
Universidad Veracruzana Main Campus at Xalapa
Gardens at Xalapa's Universidad Veracruzana

Media

[edit]
A narrow street in Xalapa, better known as Callejones

Newspaper

[edit]

Notable newspapers produced or circulated in Xalapa include www.Xalapa.MX Diario de Xalapa, Diario AZ, Diario el Portal de Xalapa, Diario la Opinión, Periódico Marcha, Periódico Al Calor Político, Periódico Agronómica, Milenio and the Líder. As well, important agency of news on line, like RadioVer www.radiover.com and magazine Revista Era www.revistaera.com t

Radio

[edit]

The city is served by numerous radio stations including:

FM:

  • 90.5 Radio de la Universidad Veracruzana
  • 91.7 Amor (Grupo Acir)
  • 95.5 Sensación HD (Oliva Radio)
  • 96.9 Digital 96.9 (AvanRadio)
  • 97.7 La Máquina (AvanRadio)
  • 98.5 ONE FM (AvanRadio)
  • 104.9 El Patron FM (Oliva Radio)
  • 107.7 Radio Más (Radio-Televisión de Veracruz)

AM:

  • 550 W Radio (AvanRadio)
  • 610 Ke Buena (AvanRadio)
  • 1040 OK Radio (AvanRadio)
  • 1130 Yo FM 1130 AM(Grupo Radio Capital)
  • 1210 El Patrón (Oliva Radio)
  • 1460 ABC Xalapa Radio (Grupo ABC)
  • 1550 Radio Universidad Veracruzana

Television

[edit]

Television channels include:

Cable services include:

Notable people from Xalapa

[edit]
Antonio López de Santa Anna, born in Xalapa, is one of the most emblematic figures in Mexican history.

Politicians

[edit]

Writers

[edit]

Educators

[edit]

Athletes

[edit]

Artists

[edit]

Doctors

[edit]

Benefactors

[edit]

Sister cities

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Xalapa

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Xalapa-Enríquez is the capital city of the eastern Mexican state of , located in a mountainous region at an elevation of approximately 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above amid coffee-growing hills. The municipality had a population of 488,531 inhabitants in 2020, with a distribution of 46.4% men and 53.6% women, reflecting a 6.68% increase from 2010. Known for its mild averaging around 20°C (68°F) year-round, frequent , and lush vegetation, Xalapa has earned descriptions as a picturesque destination blending nature, art, and knowledge. As a historical commercial and administrative center since the colonial era, Xalapa prospered through trade fairs and its strategic location, evolving into a key economic and religious hub in . Today, it functions as an educational powerhouse, hosting the Universidad Veracruzana, one of Mexico's largest public universities, and the Anthropology Museum of Xalapa, which features over 25,000 pre-Columbian artifacts, including notable . The city's economy draws from services, education, and agriculture, particularly , while its cultural scene emphasizes music, festivals, and like the .

Etymology

Name Origins and Linguistic Evolution

The name Xalapa originates from the term Xallapan, a compound of xalli (""), ātl (""), and the locative -pan ("place on" or "upon"), denoting a "place of sandy waters" or "spring in the sand," reflecting the area's natural features of sandy terrain intersected by streams and springs. This etymology aligns with morphological patterns documented in early colonial linguistic records, where toponyms often described hydrological and geological characteristics of settlements. Pre-Hispanic use of the name is evidenced by references in Aztec provincial to a Totonac-influenced around Xallapan, incorporated into the domain shortly before the Spanish arrival in 1519, indicating established indigenous nomenclature tied to local water sources rather than later attributions. Archaeological surveys in the vicinity confirm continuous occupation from the Postclassic period (circa 900–1519 CE), with ceramic and structural remains supporting the presence of water-dependent communities consistent with the toponym's descriptive intent, though direct inscriptions of the name remain scarce due to the perishable nature of Mesoamerican writing materials. Under Spanish colonial administration from the 16th century, the orthography evolved to Jalapa to approximate Nahuatl phonetics in Castilian script, where the voiceless postalveolar fricative /ʃ/ of x was substituted with the affricate /x/ (later /h/), a common adaptation in New World toponymy as seen in parallel cases like México from Mēxihco. This Hispanicized form persisted in official documents and international usage through the 20th century, but post-independence linguistic reclamation efforts led to the reinstatement of Xalapa as the preferred spelling by the late 20th century, officially formalized as Xalapa-Enríquez to incorporate indigenous orthography while honoring 19th-century local governance figure Juan de la Luz Enríquez. The shift underscores a broader 20th-century trend in Mexican place-name policy toward phonetic fidelity to Nahuatl roots, avoiding anglicized or fully Hispanized variants in favor of reconstructed indigenous forms.

History

Pre-Columbian and Indigenous Foundations

Archaeological evidence from the Xalapa region reveals human occupation during the Formative period, with Olmec-influenced settlements emerging around 1200 BCE, evidenced by pottery sherds, stone tools, and monumental sculptures recovered from nearby sites such as in southern . These artifacts, including colossal basalt heads displayed in the Xalapa Anthropology Museum, indicate cultural continuity and artistic sophistication without direct evidence of a centralized urban center at Xalapa itself. By approximately 1000 BCE, localized ceramic traditions and symbolic motifs suggest interaction with broader Mesoamerican networks, though the area lacked the monumental architecture of core Olmec heartlands like . During the Classic period (circa 300–900 CE), the Xalapa vicinity fell within the cultural domain, characterized by dispersed villages and ceremonial centers rather than expansive empires, as seen in sites like El Zapotal where elaborate pottery figures and clay sculptures attest to ritual practices and social hierarchy. groups cultivated cacao in the humid lowlands and facilitated routes exchanging this commodity, along with feathers and , for highland goods like , though Xalapa's elevated position likely positioned it as a secondary node rather than a primary hub. Earthen causeways and terraced fields in surrounding areas demonstrate organized communal labor for and connectivity, supporting resilient chiefdoms without unified political control. These fragmented polities maintained relative independence amid Late Postclassic Aztec expansions, paying tribute in cacao and warriors but resisting full incorporation until Moctezuma II's campaigns in the early 1500s, as inferred from ethnohistoric accounts corroborated by limited archaeological indicators of conflict such as fortified settlements. This structure of localized authority, rooted in kinship-based leadership and ritual economies, fostered adaptability to environmental pressures like volcanic activity from nearby Cofre de Perote, contrasting with the hierarchical of central .

Colonial Era and Spanish Influence

Hernán Cortés and his expedition passed through the Xalapa region on August 17, 1519, en route from the Veracruz coast to , marking the first recorded Spanish contact with the area. This passage facilitated initial reconnaissance but did not lead to immediate settlement; instead, Spanish presence grew gradually in the as the region integrated into the trade corridor linking the port of to . Xalapa's strategic elevation and fertile highlands positioned it as a waypoint on the Camino Real, avoiding grants to individual conquistadors; the area fell under direct royal taxation, bypassing the labor extraction typical of elsewhere in . By the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Xalapa expanded as a safeguard for the vital trade route, with settlements formalized to protect mule trains carrying silver, European imports, and exports like dye from inland producers to for transatlantic shipment. The town's annual trade fairs, established during this period, became renowned for exchanging goods arriving via the Spanish silver fleet from , fostering economic growth amid the colony's mercantile system. , harvested primarily in but routed through , contributed to regional commerce, with Xalapa serving as a key intermediary hub for processing and fairs, underscoring its role in Spain's dye export economy that generated significant crown revenues. Missionary efforts by Franciscan and other orders focused on converting indigenous Totonac and Nahua populations, though records indicate severe demographic collapses from introduced diseases such as in 1545–1548 and 1576, which ravaged central with mortality rates exceeding 50% in affected areas. While specific church baptismal and mortality ledgers for Xalapa are sparse, broader regional patterns show indigenous numbers plummeting by up to 90% by 1600 due to smallpox, measles, and hemorrhagic fevers, compounded by drought and labor demands, despite evangelization aims to stabilize communities through doctrine and agriculture. These declines shifted demographics toward and Spanish elements, with missions emphasizing amid ongoing mortality.

Independence, 19th-Century Conflicts, and Early Republic

Mexico achieved independence from Spain on September 27, 1821, with the Army of the Three Guarantees entering Mexico City, marking the end of the War of Independence that began in 1810. Xalapa, located inland from Veracruz, transitioned from a colonial outpost to a regional center in the newly formed state of Veracruz, established under the 1824 federal constitution. The city, known then as Jalapa, benefited from its strategic position on trade routes but faced early instability as federalist revolts erupted in 1826 against perceived centralist overreach by President Guadalupe Victoria's administration. In these conflicts, Xalapa emerged as a conservative stronghold, with local elites and clergy resisting radical federalist demands for greater state autonomy, reflecting broader tensions between central authority and regional powers. The mid-19th century brought further turmoil through external invasion and internal civil strife. During the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), U.S. forces under General advanced from toward , encountering fierce resistance at the on April 17-18, 1847, just east of Xalapa. Mexican troops commanded by , born in Xalapa in 1794, numbered around 12,000 and were entrenched in mountain passes with artillery, but U.S. flanking maneuvers led to a rout, with Mexican casualties exceeding 1,000 killed and wounded plus 3,000 captured, compared to 63 American deaths. The defeat opened the interior to U.S. occupation, with Scott's army occupying Xalapa shortly thereafter, imposing a toll on local resources and infrastructure through requisitions and skirmishes. Subsequent domestic conflicts amplified the region's volatility. The Reform War (1857-1861) pitted liberals against conservatives over church privileges and land reforms, with Xalapa's conservative leanings aligning it against liberal forces led by . This culminated in the French Intervention (1862-1867), where French troops, supporting of Habsburg's empire, advanced from and occupied Xalapa in 1863, encountering guerrilla resistance but gaining backing from local conservatives who viewed the monarchy as a bulwark against liberal . Archival records indicate executions of republican sympathizers in the area, underscoring divided loyalties and the human cost of imperial imposition. 's regime collapsed by 1867, with his execution restoring the republic but leaving Xalapa scarred by occupation and reprisals. In the late 19th century, under Porfirio Díaz's long presidency (1876-1911), Xalapa underwent modernization efforts amid the Porfiriato's emphasis on order and progress. Infrastructure improvements, including roads and public buildings, positioned the city as a cultural and administrative hub, though economic growth favored elites and widened inequalities between urban merchants and rural peasants. cultivation expanded in surrounding highlands, setting the stage for rail connections that arrived in 1907, but pre-1900 developments laid foundations for export-oriented agriculture while suppressing dissent through centralized control. These eras of fractures highlighted Xalapa's role in Mexico's turbulent path from colonial rule to republican consolidation.

20th-Century Developments and Institutional Revolution

In the wake of the Mexican Revolution, Xalapa experienced lingering instability from agrarian conflicts and factional violence in state, though direct Zapatista military actions in the city during are not corroborated by historical records, with unrest more tied to local constitutionalist and federalist clashes. By the 1920s, the consolidation of revolutionary factions under the National Revolutionary Party (PNR, renamed PRI in 1946) established one-party rule in , where PRI candidates secured gubernatorial victories with margins often exceeding 80-90% through mechanisms like vote-buying, , and media control, effectively marginalizing opposition parties and limiting democratic contestation until the late . This dominance, while stabilizing post-revolutionary chaos, entrenched networks that prioritized elite alliances over broad institutional reforms, as evidenced by consistent PRI control of state legislatures and municipal governments in Xalapa from 1929 onward. Land reform initiatives under President (1934-1940) distributed over 1.5 million hectares in , forming ejidos that redistributed lands to peasant collectives, yet outcomes included inefficient small-plot fragmentation, reduced , and dependency on state subsidies, hindering long-term and exacerbating inequality in inland regions like Xalapa's hinterlands. The 1938 oil nationalization, while a nationalist milestone creating , yielded minimal direct benefits for Xalapa due to extraction focusing on coastal and northern fields, leaving inland economies reliant on and nascent services with little infrastructural investment from revenues. Mid-century urbanization accelerated with Xalapa's population rising from 28,443 in 1940 to 151,323 by 1970, roughly quintupling amid Mexico's broader rural-to-urban migration, fueled by the 1944 founding of Universidad Veracruzana, whose expansion to multiple faculties drew students and faculty, boosting enrollment to over 10,000 by the but straining housing and services. This growth, while positioning Xalapa as an educational hub, fostered unplanned peripheral expansion into informal settlements—known locally as colonos—where inadequate bred sanitation issues and poverty, as migration outpaced municipal planning under PRI administrations more focused on political loyalty than .

Post-2000 Era: Drug War Impacts and Political Shifts

The escalation of Mexico's federal offensive against drug cartels under President , launched in December 2006, significantly impacted state, including Xalapa, as rival factions vied for control of smuggling routes along the Gulf Coast. The Zetas, originally the armed wing of the , splintered from their parent organization around 2010, triggering intense turf wars that spilled into ; by 2011-2012, the state became a key battleground, with the Zetas establishing dominance through brutal tactics including mass executions and . Xalapa, previously relatively insulated from such violence, experienced a sharp rise in homicides, exemplified by a January 2011 gang shootout that killed 14 people, marking an early incursion of cartel-related clashes into the city. In September 2011, Veracruz state witnessed one of the war's most notorious episodes when gunmen dumped 35 bodies on a highway in nearby Boca del Río, a attributed to inter- reprisals amid the Zetas' territorial consolidation, which heightened insecurity across the region including Xalapa as capital. persisted into the mid-2010s, with the May 22, 2016, attack on La Madame gay bar in Xalapa where armed assailants opened fire on patrons, killing at least six and wounding 13—unofficial estimates suggested up to 15-20 deaths—likely tied to rackets targeting nightlife venues resistant to "protection" payments. Politically, Veracruz underwent shifts from long-standing PRI dominance, marred by corruption scandals like that of Governor Javier Duarte (2010-2016), who fled amid embezzlement charges, to brief PAN governance under Miguel Ángel Yunes (2016-2018), followed by Morena's ascendance with García's 2018 victory promising anti-corruption reforms. However, impunity rates remained high, with critics attributing ongoing influence to inadequate prosecutions; under Morena's continued rule, including Rocío Nahle's 2024 inauguration, surged, with 585 cases reported statewide since October 2024, affecting businesses in Xalapa amid allegations of weakened . This persistence reflects systemic challenges in disrupting narco-politics, where local economies increasingly rely on informal tributes to armed groups, complicating governance transitions.

Geography and Environment

Topography and Urban Layout

Xalapa is situated at an elevation of approximately 1,400 meters in the Madre Oriental range, featuring rugged with uneven relief, steep ridges, and numerous small, deep ravines that dissect the . These geological features stem from volcanic origins, with soils in the surrounding central region predominantly derived from , providing high fertility that supports cultivation in nearby highlands. The city's historic core retains a colonial-era grid layout centered on the main plaza, imposed over pre-existing indigenous settlements during the Spanish period, which facilitated orderly development in the flatter central areas. However, post-1950s surges—driven by rural-to-urban migration—prompted haphazard peripheral expansion into ravine-prone slopes and peri-urban zones, often without adequate planning, resulting in informal settlements that cover vulnerable terrain. This terrain-driven sprawl has exacerbated infrastructure challenges, as ravines and steep gradients hinder efficient road networks, drainage systems, and utilities, while promoting and instability in built-up areas. Urban growth averaged 13.8 square kilometers per decade since the , encroaching on slopes that amplify risks from landslides, particularly in irregular settlements established in geologically unstable zones. Such expansion has left peripheral neighborhoods susceptible to slope failures, underscoring the causal link between , unplanned development, and heightened environmental vulnerabilities.

Climate Patterns and Variability

Xalapa exhibits a subtropical highland climate, classified under the Köppen system as Cwb, characterized by mild temperatures year-round due to its elevation of approximately 1,400 meters above sea level, with average highs ranging from 24°C to 27°C and lows from 14°C to 17°C across seasons. Annual mean temperatures hover between 18°C and 22°C, countering the popularized notion of an unchanging "eternal spring" by revealing seasonal fluctuations, including cooler periods from November to February where minima occasionally dip below 10°C. Precipitation totals around 1,500 mm annually, concentrated in the rainy season from June to October, with monthly averages exceeding 200 mm during peak months like September, though dry winters limit totals to under 50 mm. Climate variability in Xalapa is influenced by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which modulates regional rainfall patterns; La Niña phases often enhance activity, leading to intensified wet seasons in eastern , while El Niño tends to suppress them but can shift tracks unpredictably. Historical records indicate increased frequency of extreme events, with deviations from norms exacerbating floods or droughts; for instance, interannual variance can exceed 20% tied to ENSO cycles, amplifying risks in this topographically steep terrain. In September 2025, Xalapa experienced severe flash flooding from torrential rains exceeding 100 mm in hours on September 27, triggered by a tropical disturbance, which overwhelmed urban drainage and caused widespread inundation, highlighting how short-term can disrupt the baseline mildness. Such events underscore empirical deviations from idealized stability, with rising ENSO-driven extremes projected to heighten intensity by up to 10-20% in under ongoing climate shifts, based on modeled projections from regional datasets.

Municipal Boundaries and Natural Resources

The Municipality of Xalapa-enríquez covers 124.6 km², primarily in the central highlands of Veracruz state, with terrain transitioning from urban valleys to surrounding slopes and rural outskirts. Its administrative boundaries interface with adjacent municipalities, including Banderilla to the north, Coatepec to the south, and Tlalnelhuayocan to the west, integrating it into a clustered geographic zone conducive to inter-municipal resource flows and . Natural resources within the emphasize agricultural outputs from fertile volcanic soils, notably (Coffea arabica) grown in higher-elevation peripheries that leverage the area's consistent rainfall and shade-tolerant microclimates. The Xalapa region's systems form part of Veracruz's central production belt, where cultivation practices have historically expanded to support the state's contribution of approximately 25% to Mexico's total yield, though yields face pressures from fluctuating global prices and variability. Water resources depend heavily on groundwater aquifers for municipal supply, with extraction meeting urban and agricultural needs amid documented episodes linked to and seasonal deficits. Local rivers, such as the Río Sordo basin traversing the municipality, supplement this but exhibit elevated levels from urban effluents and sediments, reducing usability and necessitating treatment interventions.

Environmental Challenges

Xalapa faces chronic shortages exacerbated by inadequate and variability, with 2024 marking one of the most severe years on record, leading to widespread protests and reliance on tanker deliveries in multiple neighborhoods. The Comisión Municipal de Agua Potable y Saneamiento (CMAS) has struggled with distribution losses estimated at 30-50% due to leaks, compounding seasonal deficits that particularly affected peripheral areas from April to October. National forecasts from Conagua highlighted Xalapa among Veracruz municipalities at high risk for 2024 scarcity, driven by reduced rainfall and overexploitation of aquifers. Deforestation in Xalapa's surrounding highlands has intensified and risks by diminishing watershed recharge capacity, with unplanned urban expansion eroding riparian corridors and wetlands over recent decades. Illicit logging and agricultural encroachment contribute to this loss, mirroring broader trends where forest cover has declined amid weak enforcement, though precise municipal rates remain underreported. These activities not only reduce but also heighten vulnerability to on steep slopes, as evidenced by increased in local rivers. Pemex operations in Veracruz have periodically caused hydrocarbon spills that threaten regional water sources, exemplified by the October 2025 rupture of a pipeline along the Pantepec River following heavy rains, which contaminated over 8 kilometers and prompted a national emergency declaration. Such incidents, often linked to aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance at the state-owned firm, raise concerns over aquifer infiltration downstream, though direct impacts on Xalapa's supply remain indirect via shared Veracruz hydrology. Pemex reported extracting portions of the spilled crude, but critics attribute recurrent leaks to negligence in oversight.

Demographics

The of Xalapa recorded a of 488,531 inhabitants in the 2020 INEGI , marking a 6.68% increase from the figure of approximately 458,000. This equates to an average annual growth rate of 0.65% over the decade, a deceleration from earlier periods when and the city's administrative prominence fueled higher inflows. Prior to 2010, annual growth averaged around 2%, reflecting broader trends in Mexican mid-sized cities where bolstered expansion amid improving and educational institutions. However, post-2010 stagnation aligned with the escalation of drug-related violence in , where cartel conflicts disrupted regional stability; for instance, drug war deaths in Xalapa and nearby areas rose over 1,000% from 2010 to 2011, potentially curbing net migration and economic vitality.
Census YearMunicipal PopulationDecade Growth Rate (%)
2010~458,000-
2020488,5316.68
Current estimates for 2025 place the municipal population near 500,000, sustaining low growth amid persistent security challenges and national fertility declines below replacement levels.

Ethnic and Cultural Composition

The population of Xalapa is predominantly , characterized by among Native American, European, and African ancestries, consistent with broader patterns in central where indigenous components constitute 50-60% of the average mestizo genome, European ancestry 30-40%, and African traces 5-10%. This substructure reflects pre-Columbian Native diversity, including Nahua and groups in the region, overlaid with Spanish colonial and minor African input from enslaved populations arriving via Veracruz ports between the 16th and 19th centuries. Linguistically, speakers comprise a small of Xalapa's residents, with 0.84% of the population aged 3 and older reporting proficiency in at least one such language per 2020 census data, far below state's 9.1% rate for speakers who also self-identify as indigenous. Predominant languages in the include variants, aligning with historical Nahua presence, though urban assimilation has minimized monolingualism. Traces of African descent persist genetically and historically in Xalapa, stemming from colonial-era where enslaved Africans and their free descendants integrated into local society, as evidenced by records of economically active African-descended women in the city during the . Self-identified form a minor but notable element, contributing to Veracruz's overall 8.4% regional rate, though diluted in Xalapa's urban matrix.

Socioeconomic Indicators and Migration

Xalapa's Gini coefficient was recorded at 0.37 in 2020, reflecting moderate income inequality relative to Mexico's national figure of approximately 0.42 during the same period. Average quarterly household income reached 39,600 Mexican pesos, though significant disparities persist, with the lowest income decile earning 9,040 pesos compared to 119,000 pesos for the highest decile. Poverty metrics indicate 33.8% of the population in moderate poverty and 4.51% in extreme poverty, alongside 29.5% vulnerable due to social deprivations and 7.17% due to insufficient income. The municipality's marginalization index places it in the "very low" category nationally, underscoring relatively better access to basic services and education compared to rural Veracruz areas. Population trends from 2010 to 2020 show net growth of 6.68%, increasing to 488,531 residents, driven partly by for family, living conditions, and labor opportunities. Recent inflows primarily originate from the (911 individuals over the last five years), alongside smaller numbers from and . In the broader context, however, state-level emigration intensified during this decade amid cartel-related violence, with households reporting emigrants rising to contribute to a mid-level migration intensity index. Remittances totaling $41.3 million bolster household resilience, functioning as a countercyclical buffer against economic disruptions from insecurity, which has constrained regional growth through reduced and mobility. In , such flows support consumption and in migrant-sending areas, partially offsetting localized GDP pressures from violence without fully reversing outflows to safer locales.

Government and Politics

Municipal Administration Structure

The municipal administration of Xalapa operates under a structure defined by the state's municipal code, with the serving as the central body comprising the presidente municipal (elected mayor), one síndico único (public accounts overseer), and 13 regidores (councilors). The cabildo (council), constituted by these 15 ediles total, exercises deliberative authority on key matters including approval, land-use regulations, public services contracting, and mechanisms. Regidores are distributed across partisan lines based on electoral outcomes and assigned to standing commissions—such as those for finance (patrimonio y hacienda), public works (obras públicas), and citizen protection (seguridad pública)—to scrutinize proposals and recommend actions to the full . Executive functions are executed through the presidente municipal, supported by a of administrative units outlined in the official organigram. These include the Secretaría del for legal and session coordination, Tesoriería Municipal for collection and expenditure control, and operational direcciones such as Desarrollo Social, Obras Públicas, Limpia Pública, and Gobierno Abierto for transparency compliance. The Contraloría Municipal conducts internal audits, while external oversight falls to the (ORFIS), enforcing fiscal discipline under the Ley General de Contabilidad Gubernamental. Budgetary processes involve annual formulation by the Dirección de Presupuesto y Contabilidad, cabildo review, and state publication, with revenues derived primarily from federal transfers, local taxes (e.g., predial), and fees. Recent cycles have revealed structural imbalances; ORFIS audits documented a total budgetary deficit of 87,886,013.80 pesos for the reviewed exercise, alongside primary balance shortfalls equivalent to 2.0% of total income, attributed to elevated current spending outpacing inflows. Projections for 2024 anticipate a widened deficit of 7.0% of income due to liquidity strains and increased recurrent outlays, prompting cabildo adjustments like expenditure reallocations.

Historical Political Scandals and Corruption

During the governorship of (2010–2016), state, including its capital Xalapa, experienced systemic corruption involving of public funds estimated at over 70 billion pesos, alongside allegations of and ties to . Duarte, a member of the (PRI), fled the state in 2016 amid mounting investigations, was apprehended in , extradited to , and ultimately sentenced to nine years in prison in 2018 for these offenses. This scandal exemplified entrenched PRI dominance in , where decentralized state powers enabled unchecked graft, as federal oversight remained lax despite evident red flags like depleted state coffers upon Duarte's resignation. A parallel crisis involved thousands of forced disappearances, with reports estimating 5,000 to 7,000 cases in during Duarte's tenure, many unsolved and linked to state security forces' complicity with cartels. In Xalapa specifically, at least 15 individuals were abducted by police at the El Lencero state police academy between 2010 and 2016, part of a broader pattern where authorities allegedly handed detainees to groups like in exchange for protection or payoffs. Investigations revealed Duarte's administration initially aligned with for territorial control before shifting alliances, fostering an environment where local officials in the capital tacitly enabled cartel operations to sustain political power. These pathologies eroded in Xalapa's municipal administration, which operated under state influence, as evidenced by probes into irregularities and unaccounted funds funneled through PRI networks. Weak institutional checks, including PRI's historical grip on politics since the 1920s, allowed such pacts to persist, prioritizing cartel acquiescence over and contributing to rates exceeding 95% for disappearances. Post-Duarte audits uncovered ghost companies siphoning municipal resources in Xalapa, underscoring how state-level permeated local levels without robust federal intervention.

Electoral Dynamics and Voter Behavior

Voter turnout in Xalapa's municipal elections has consistently been low, signaling widespread apathy amid perceptions of entrenched political inefficacy. In the June 1, 2025, elections for the local , participation stood at just 29.65% of the registered electorate, one of the lowest rates recorded locally. Earlier cycles, such as the 2021 concurrent federal-local vote, saw marginally higher but still subdued engagement, with effective municipal turnout estimates hovering below 50% when isolating local preferences from national coattails. This pattern aligns with state's broader trend of declining participation since 2017, driven by disillusionment over unfulfilled reforms. Electoral shifts in Xalapa reflect reactive voter behavior, with swings against incumbents tied to exposures. The municipal marked a pivot to Morena's Hipólito Rodríguez, who secured victory with promises of renewal following PRI's statewide scandals under ex-Governor Javier Duarte, whose administration faced charges of and . Morena's campaign emphasized breaking cycles of graft, resonating in a city weary of prior PRI dominance that spanned decades until . However, subsequent administrations, including Morena's, have been plagued by persistent , with ongoing probes into municipal irregularities and state-level accusations of systemic under the party. This cycle of alternation without substantive change fosters cynicism, as voters alternate support between coalitions—evident in the 2021 win by opposition candidate Ricardo Ahued (PAN-PRI-PRD alliance) with over 111,000 votes, only for Morena to reclaim the mayoralty in 2025—yet impunity endures, undermining trust and perpetuating abstention. Local analyses attribute this to a "pacto de impunidad" where accountability mechanisms fail, regardless of partisan control. Such dynamics highlight causal links between unaddressed graft and electoral disengagement, with no evident uptick in participation despite anti-corruption rhetoric across parties.

Economy

Primary Sectors and Employment

![Access to the university zone of the Universidad Veracruzana in Xalapa, Veracruz][float-right] The economy of Xalapa is predominantly service-oriented, with the tertiary sector encompassing commerce, , and forming the backbone of local employment. The Universidad Veracruzana, a major public institution headquartered in the city, serves as a significant employer, supporting jobs in , , and administrative roles, contributing to high levels of where 29.3% of the population aged 15 and older holds a as of 2020. Health services also play a key role, bolstered by public and private institutions providing employment in medical and support positions. Agriculture and agribusiness represent an important primary sector activity within the Xalapa municipality, particularly through coffee, citrus, and pepper production, which generated export values of US$147 million, US$128 million, and US$99.8 million respectively in 2020. While city-specific employment percentages are limited, the surrounding Veracruz region shows agriculture-related occupations, such as support workers, accounting for approximately 9.4% of the state workforce in early 2025, reflecting agribusiness's regional influence estimated around 20-25% in broader employment contributions.

Tourism and Cultural Economy

Xalapa's tourism sector emphasizes its , drawing visitors to sites like the Museum of Anthropology (MAX), which houses over 2,500 pre-Hispanic artifacts including 17 colossal Olmec heads from the Early Pre-Classic period. The museum recorded 85,143 visitors in 2022 after introducing free admission, highlighting its role as a key economic driver through ticket sales, guided tours, and ancillary spending. The city as a whole welcomed 820,000 national and international tourists in 2024, reflecting a surge from approximately 500,000 five years earlier amid post-pandemic recovery. The cultural economy thrives on Xalapa's status as a City of Music since 2015, which promotes musical training, performances, and festivals that integrate with . Events such as the Xalapa and its Culture Festival provide platforms for local artists, generating revenue from attendance, merchandise, and related services while enhancing the city's appeal to cultural travelers. Initiatives like Xallitic further stimulate economic activity by transforming downtown areas into vibrant hubs for entertainment and artisan markets, aiming to elevate annual visitors toward one million. Statewide violence escalation post-2010 constrained tourism growth, evidenced by foreign arrivals to Veracruz tourist centers falling over 86% from 71,644 in 2006 to 9,626 in 2018, though Xalapa's inland position and cultural focus facilitated relative resilience and recent rebound. These assets position as a vital component of local GDP, complementing Veracruz's broader 22% tourism contribution to state output in 2023.

Economic Hurdles: Extortion, Insecurity, and Infrastructure Deficits

Extortion significantly impedes business operations in Xalapa, mirroring statewide trends in where criminal groups demand payments known as derechos de piso. According to the employers' confederation Coparmex, two out of three business owners in have faced attempts, deterring investment and forcing many to relocate or close. Since October 2024, authorities have registered 585 formal complaints, reflecting a sustained annual increase in such crimes that disrupts local commerce and supply chains. Insecurity compounds these extortion pressures, elevating operational costs through protective measures, insurance premiums, and lost productivity. Nationally, insecurity imposes losses on Mexican businesses equivalent to 4-5% of GDP, primarily via theft, vandalism, and extortion-related disruptions; Veracruz, with its high incidence of organized crime activities, experiences analogous drags that stifle Xalapa's service and manufacturing sectors. Infrastructure shortcomings, especially chronic , further constrain industrial expansion in Xalapa despite annual rainfall exceeding 1,400 mm. Shortages stem from , basin pollution, and inadequate , compelling businesses to improvise storage and , which has halted operations in water-intensive industries like and textiles. The Pixquic basin's contamination exacerbates supply deficits, with responses limited, amplifying economic vulnerabilities. Veracruz's heavy reliance on for economic stability exposes Xalapa to uncompensated environmental risks from oil spills, as federal control limits local royalty shares. Recent incidents, including the October 2025 pipeline rupture contaminating the Pantepec River—a key water source—have polluted waterways used for and municipal supply, imposing cleanup costs and health hazards without proportional fiscal returns to the . This dependency perpetuates underinvestment in diversified , perpetuating cycles of economic fragility.

Crime and Public Safety

Evolution of Organized Crime Presence

The presence of in Xalapa traces back to the broader incursion of drug trafficking organizations into Veracruz state during the early 2000s, initially under the Gulf Cartel's oversight of northern smuggling routes and port access. Local criminal elements, including networks tied to and highland cultivation of since the 1980s, provided a foundation for escalation, but violence remained contained until external groups asserted dominance. Los Zetas, formed in the late 1990s as the Gulf Cartel's enforcers, began splintering and expanding independently around 2007–2008, rapidly seizing control of plazas through superior firepower and intimidation tactics derived from their ex-special forces origins. In Xalapa, this influx manifested as Zetas operatives embedding in urban schemes targeting businesses and transportation, transforming the city from a peripheral hub into a contested zone amid inter-cartel rivalries. Their arrival correlated with a surge in militarized confrontations, as Zetas displaced Gulf loyalists and local operators to monopolize inland routes linking Gulf ports to central . By 2010–2012, Zetas leadership captures and killings, including Heriberto Lazcano's death in October 2012, precipitated fragmentation into autonomous cells, with Veracruz splinter groups adopting franchise-like structures for survival. In Xalapa, these localized factions shifted from large-scale trafficking to diversified rackets such as fuel theft, migrant extortion, and alliances with emerging groups like offshoots, sustaining influence through decentralized violence rather than hierarchical command. This evolution reflected broader national trends of cartel , where weakened originals birthed over 100 smaller entities by the mid-2010s, complicating state countermeasures. In May 2016, gunmen on motorcycles attacked Bar Madame, a in Xalapa, killing four patrons and injuring several others in a that underscored the infiltration of into urban nightlife. The incident, occurring amid escalating disputes in , involved assailants firing indiscriminately before fleeing, with no immediate arrests reported. Extortion targeting businesses has intensified in recent years, with a 60.7% increase in reported cases across in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. In , as the state capital, this trend manifests in widespread demands for "protection" payments, contributing to economic strain on local commerce; surveys indicate that 66% of business owners, including those in , have faced such threats in 2025. Statewide data from 2019 to 2025 show over 5,200 investigations, reflecting a nearly 40% cumulative rise. Crime perception surveys by in mid-2025 rate Xalapa's overall crime level at 60.71 out of 100, indicating high concern among residents. Key metrics include:
ConcernRating (out of 100)Level
Crime increasing in past 5 years69.51High
Worries being mugged or robbed62.50High
Problem with property crimes (vandalism, theft)55.95Moderate
Problem with drug use/dealing46.71Moderate
These figures, based on user-submitted data, highlight persistent worries over violent and property crimes, with Xalapa's safety index at approximately 44.85. In May 2025 alone, local complaints logged 147 thefts, 70 injuries, and 65 cases, comprising over 41% of total reports.

Government Responses and Efficacy Critiques

Following the escalation of organized crime violence in state after September 2011, when groups like publicly displayed 35 bodies in a major city to intimidate rivals and authorities, the Mexican federal government under President intensified SEDENA (Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional) deployments to combat cartels in high-risk areas, including the capital Xalapa. These operations involved thousands of soldiers conducting joint patrols, raids, and arrests alongside state and , as part of the broader Mérida Initiative-supported strategy that had already mobilized over 50,000 troops nationwide since 2006. In , such interventions targeted hotspots, with the state recording 298 officially reported cases in 2019 alone, prompting temporary spikes in federal military presence around Xalapa to secure urban corridors. Despite these efforts, efficacy critiques highlight persistent intervention failures, particularly a national impunity rate exceeding 94.8% for violent crimes, which in surpasses the average due to weak prosecutorial follow-through on military-led detentions. SEDENA operations in post-2011 yielded arrests but rarely led to convictions, as evidenced by the state's estimated 99.75% for violence against journalists and activists, many linked to cartel-state exposed in later investigations. Critics, including organizations, argue that militarization without concurrent judicial reforms—such as bolstering independent prosecutors and evidence-handling protocols—has perpetuated cycles of abuse and inefficacy, with soldiers often reverting to barracks after operations, leaving local police vulnerable to infiltration. Under subsequent administrations, including and , Veracruz saw continued SEDENA rotations, yet homicide rates in Xalapa and surrounding areas remained elevated, with 2021 incidents like a police-gang in the city killing five assailants but failing to curb underlying networks. Reports from think tanks emphasize that deploying over 100,000 troops nationally by 2024 has not reduced violence sustainably, as impunity erodes deterrence; in , this manifests in unresolved disappearances tied to security force involvement, underscoring the absence of systemic reforms to civilian oversight and in judiciary processes. Such critiques posit that without addressing causal factors like judicial capture by criminal interests, interventions serve more as symbolic shows of force than effective reduction, allowing organized groups to regroup and exploit governance vacuums in Xalapa.

Culture and Society

Traditional Holidays and Festivals

Xalapa observes Día de Muertos on November 1 and 2, featuring ofrendas with cempasúchil flowers, , and calaveritas de azúcar in homes, markets like Mercado Jáuregui, and public spaces, alongside cemetery vigils to honor the deceased. Local events include the Desfile de Catrinas, drawing over 3,000 participants in parades from the Teatro del Estado with marching bands, traditional dances from Teocelo, and Universidad Veracruzana artists, culminating in altars and exhibitions like Festival Miccaohtli and Festival Almas con Tradición. These observances, rooted in pre-Hispanic and Catholic , significantly boost through coordinated municipal activities. The Feria de Xalapa, established in 1720 as a colonial-era trade fair attracting merchants from Nueva España to exchange local and imported goods, remains an annual highlight promoting regional commerce, handicrafts, and cultural displays. Held typically in , it evolved into a multifaceted event with expositions, though its origins emphasized economic exchange over entertainment. Carnaval occurs in late February or early March, featuring parades, music, and costumes akin to national patterns but adapted with local Veracruzano flair, including comparsas and allegorical floats. Semana Santa processions during draw processions with religious images, penitents, and reenactments, underscoring Xalapa's Catholic heritage. Christmas season includes posadas from December 16 to 24, with processions reenacting Mary and Joseph's search for shelter, culminating in piñata-breaking and communal feasts, plus December 12 festivities for the Virgen de Guadalupe involving pilgrimages and fireworks.

Local Cuisine and Culinary Traditions

Xalapa's culinary traditions draw from Veracruz's diverse influences, emphasizing corn-based and ingredients adapted from indigenous practices, such as dough prepared with nixtamalized corn and seasoned with regional chilies like and serrano. Local dishes include picadas, thick s with pinched edges topped with , shredded meat, and salsa, often consumed as , reflecting pre-Hispanic techniques of shaping and frying corn . Similarly, Xalapan molotes consist of fresh dough stuffed with fillings like potatoes, cheese, or chorizo, then sealed and deep-fried, a preparation tied to the area's agrarian heritage where corn remains the staple ingredient harvested locally. Tamales represent a core indigenous recipe in the region, originating from Nahua and Totonac peoples who used corn husks or banana leaves to steam masa filled with meats or vegetables, incorporating local chilies for heat and flavor; Veracruz variants often feature pork simmered in a chipotle-tomato sauce, evidencing the adaptation of native chili cultivation—dating back over 6,000 years in Mesoamerica—to post-conquest proteins. These tamales employ empiric ratios of lard to masa for texture, with chilies providing capsaicin levels that vary by harvest, as serrano peppers grown in Veracruz's highlands yield pods averaging 10,000-23,000 Scoville units. The coffee heritage underscores Xalapa's ingredient profile, as the surrounding highlands, including nearby Coatepec, produce beans at elevations of 1,200-1,600 meters, where volcanic soils and shade-grown methods—introduced in the early —yield beans with acidity profiles from malic and citric acids derived from the cultivar. Annual production in Veracruz exceeds 1.5 million 60-kg bags, with Xalapa serving as a processing and consumption hub, where fresh roasts highlight notes of and nuts from local varietals like Bourbon and Typica, often brewed as spiced with cinnamon sticks and piloncillo for traditional pairings with . This coffee empirics tie into daily culinary rituals, as beans harvested from to inform the sensory backbone of Xalapa's food culture.

Arts, Literature, and Intellectual Life

Xalapa has produced or attracted notable literary figures, contributing to Mexico's cultural landscape. Children's author and illustrator Yuyi Morales, born in Xalapa on November 7, 1968, gained acclaim for works like Dreamers (2018), which draw on her Mexican roots and migration experiences. Playwright Emilio Carballido, who resided and died in Xalapa on February 11, 2008, authored over 100 plays exploring social themes, influencing Mexican theater. Novelist Sergio Pitol, who passed away in Xalapa on April 12, 2018, after serving as a diplomat and professor, received the Cervantes Prize in 2005 for his experimental narratives blending autobiography and travel. Additionally, Nellie Campobello's seminal work Cartucho (1931), a collection of vignettes on the Mexican Revolution, was first published in Xalapa, marking an early literary milestone tied to the city. The Universidad Veracruzana (UV), headquartered in Xalapa since 1944, has been central to the city's intellectual and artistic vitality, offering programs in , , , theater, and . UV's Faculty of Arts and its Orquesta Sinfónica de Xalapa, one of Mexico's oldest professional orchestras founded in 1926, promote performances and education, fostering a vibrant scene that includes influences from the 1920s Estridentismo movement, which drew intellectual energy from Xalapa's academic environment. The university's initiatives have sustained cultural production, with events and workshops enhancing local creative output despite regional challenges. However, pervasive violence in Veracruz has constrained intellectual freedoms, particularly affecting presses and integral to literary discourse. The state ranks among Mexico's most dangerous for media workers, with incidents like the 2012 murders of journalists in Xalapa highlighting threats to expressive activities. and cartel influence have led to among publishers and writers, stifling independent cultural presses and limiting the dissemination of critical , as documented in reports on Veracruz's impunity culture. This insecurity undermines UV's fostering role, curtailing open intellectual exchange in the city.

Infrastructure and Services

Transportation Networks

Xalapa lacks a commercial airport, compelling residents and visitors to rely on ground transport for air connections, with Veracruz International Airport (VER) serving as the nearest facility at approximately 90 kilometers southeast and reachable by bus in 1 hour 34 minutes via ADO services costing 260-410 MXN. The local El Lencero Airport (JAL), situated 18 kilometers from the city center, accommodates general aviation and occasional charters but offers no scheduled passenger flights. This absence underscores a key connectivity gap, as travelers must navigate additional road segments prone to delays from the region's hilly terrain and traffic. Intercity travel predominantly occurs via bus from the Central de Autobuses de Xalapa, where operators like ADO and Autobuses Unidos provide frequent services; routes to cover about 294 kilometers in 4 hours 15 minutes for 250-850 MXN, departing almost hourly from terminals such as TAPO. Connections to span 1 hour 45 minutes at 90-470 MXN, with services every hour. Federal Highway 140 facilitates these bus journeys, linking Xalapa southeast to and northwest toward , though the winding roads through the can extend travel times during adverse weather. Within the city, an extensive network of urban buses, known as camiones or colectivos, covers most neighborhoods without a metro or tram system, supplemented by readily available taxis charging fixed or metered fares. Passenger rail service is absent, limited to freight operations, with a proposed 18-kilometer light rail line—announced in 2021 for tendering by 2024 to connect Xalapa with nearby municipalities like Banderilla and Coatepec—remaining unbuilt as of October 2025, perpetuating dependence on roadways. These constraints highlight broader infrastructure limitations, isolating Xalapa from faster multimodal options compared to coastal or central Mexican hubs.

Healthcare System and Access

Xalapa's healthcare system primarily operates through public institutions under the Mexican federal and state frameworks, including the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE), and state-managed facilities now integrated into IMSS-Bienestar for the uninsured . Key public hospitals include the Hospital Regional "Dr. Luis F. Nachón," which serves as a second-level referral center with capacity for general and specialized care, and various units operated by the state health secretariat. Private clinics and hospitals supplement public services, though they cater mainly to insured or paying patients. As of 2022, approximately 25% of Xalapa's lacks formal access to medical services, reflecting broader challenges in affiliation and utilization. Coverage gaps persist despite reforms like the transition from INSABI to IMSS-Bienestar in , which aimed to provide free services, medications, and supplies to the uninsured via transferred state units such as the Nachón . In state, including Xalapa, CONEVAL data indicate that 49.2% of the population experienced deprivation in services access as of , up from prior years due to affiliation shortfalls and supply issues, with urban areas like Xalapa showing rates around 31% in 2020 before increases. Metrics from 2020 show 25.2% of Xalapa residents reliant on former Seguro Popular coverage and 29.8% on social security, leaving a significant uninsured segment vulnerable to out-of-pocket costs or delayed care. The in 2020 severely strained Xalapa's facilities, exposing infrastructure shortages with two major hospitals reaching 100% bed occupancy by early 2021 amid statewide pressures where 173 of 244 COVID-designated beds were occupied by May 2020. This overload highlighted insufficient intensive care units and ventilators, contributing to higher mortality risks for uninsured patients who faced barriers to timely testing and treatment. Post-pandemic evaluations noted persistent deficits in bed capacity and staffing, with Veracruz's urban health deprivation rising 12.3 percentage points by 2020, underscoring the need for expanded to mitigate future surges.

Education Institutions and Quality

![Access to the University of Veracruz university zone in Xalapa, Veracruz]float-right The Universidad Veracruzana (UV), with its main campus in Xalapa, serves as the dominant higher education in the city and state, enrolling 66,679 students across all campuses in 2022, of which 47% were male and 53% female. Smaller institutions include the Universidad de Xalapa, with 2,152 enrolled students in 2022, and the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional Veracruz campus focused on teacher training. These universities offer programs in fields such as , , , and sciences, but tertiary enrollment in remains limited relative to needs, with UV accounting for the majority of higher education access. Educational quality in Xalapa and Veracruz faces systemic challenges, including high dropout rates and inadequate student preparation from lower levels, leading to poor retention and outcomes in higher education. Nationally, Mexico's 2022 PISA scores for 15-year-olds—395 in mathematics, 410 in science, and 415 in reading—fall below OECD averages of 472, 485, and 476, respectively, with Veracruz's performance aligned or slightly worse due to regional socioeconomic factors and elevated upper secondary dropout rates exceeding 30% in some analyses. Tertiary dropout in Veracruz surpasses 40% for many entrants, attributed to foundational skill gaps from secondary education, resulting in low graduation rates and limited graduate employability. UV's global ranking of #2016 reflects these broader quality issues, despite its scale. Illiteracy in Xalapa stands at 2.73% as of , lower than national averages, indicating basic progress, but higher-level outcomes lag, with learning losses from events like the exacerbating disparities in reading and mathematics proficiency by 0.34–0.82 standard deviations across socioeconomic groups in . Government efforts to address these through expanded access have not fully mitigated structural deficiencies in instructional quality and resource allocation.

Landmarks and Attractions

Parks and Green Spaces

Xalapa's parks and green spaces form essential recreational areas amid its hilly terrain, offering residents and visitors venues for , exercise, and social interaction. Central to the city, Parque Juárez serves as a terraced public square with gardens, mature trees, and panoramic views, functioning as a primary gathering point for community events. Nearby, Parque Tecajetes provides a forested oasis with natural springs, ponds, sculptures, and walking paths, attracting those seeking tranquility close to the urban core. Larger peripheral zones, such as Parque Natura El Tejar Garnica, encompass extensive trails, bike paths, and lookout points within preserved natural landscapes. These green areas also contribute to ecological functions, including support and urban climate regulation. Urban forests and riparian zones within parks help sustain local and , with conservation value noted in regenerated patches. In Xalapa, where heavy rainfall poses flood risks, mitigates impacts by enhancing water infiltration and reducing runoff; for instance, preexisting tree cover has demonstrated cooling effects that indirectly aid resilience, though infill has reduced some coverage while adding new embedded patches. Targeted projects amplify these benefits, such as the CityAdapt initiative, which implements including riparian restoration along the Papas River to bolster flood management and overall in urban settings. Efforts to establish protective greenbelts address deforestation-driven vulnerabilities, preserving tree cover critical for water regulation and flood prevention amid pressures. The Macroplaza areas, integrating open plazas with vegetative elements, exemplify incorporating such ecological considerations to balance recreation and .

Museums and Historical Sites

The Museo de Antropología de Xalapa maintains a collection of over 25,000 pre-Columbian archaeological artifacts primarily from Veracruz's Mesoamerican Gulf Coast cultures, with around 1,500 pieces on permanent exhibit. These include monumental , basalt monoliths such as the "Lord of Las Limas" figurine, and ceramics, sculptures, and jade items from the , Huastec, and Remojadas traditions spanning from 1200 BCE to the Spanish conquest. The museum, operated by the Universidad Veracruzana, holds the largest assembly of Olmec artifacts outside major national collections and ranks as Mexico's second-most significant anthropological repository after the Museo Nacional de Antropología in . The Catedral Metropolitana de Xalapa, dedicated to the , stands as a primary historical religious site with construction of its current form commencing in 1772 in style, later augmented by Neogothic twin towers completed in 1896. Originating from an earlier wooden structure erected in 1641 that collapsed, the cathedral's eclectic design reflects multiple phases of colonial and post-independence reconstruction under royal and ecclesiastical oversight. Its interior preserves altarpieces, organs, and relics documenting 17th- to 19th-century ecclesiastical history in the region. The Ex-Hacienda El Lencero, converted into a in 1993, exhibits furnishings, tools, and documents from its operation as a sugarcane estate from the 18th to early 20th centuries, illustrating colonial economics and typical of Veracruz's agrarian past. The site includes restored buildings around a central courtyard, with collections emphasizing the estate's role in regional trade and its association with figures from Mexico's independence era.

Theaters, Galleries, and Performance Venues

The Teatro del Estado General Ignacio de la Llave, designed by architect Pablo Boek in 1959 and later remodeled, functions as a central hub for in Xalapa, with dedicated halls such as the Sala Emilio Carballido and Sala Dagoberto Guillaumin hosting theater productions, concerts, and cultural events under the oversight of Veracruz's Secretariat of Culture. The venue emphasizes the development of scenic arts through diverse programming that includes local and national troupes. The Tlaqná Centro Cultural serves as the primary performance space for classical music and multidisciplinary events, featuring the 1,285-seat Sala Principal de Conciertos, which became the permanent home of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Xalapa following its inauguration on August 25, 2013. The orchestra, established in 1929 as Mexico's oldest classical ensemble, delivers regular symphony concerts there, contributing to Xalapa's tradition of live orchestral performances. Among galleries, the Pinacoteca Diego Rivera maintains a permanent collection of 36 works by the artist , acquired through donation from his daughter , displayed in its main hall alongside rotating exhibitions in the Jorge Cuesta and Teodoro Adehesa rooms; admission is free, with operations from Tuesday to Sunday. The Galería de Arte Contemporáneo de Xalapa, housed in a restored 18th- to 19th-century structure in the historic center, focuses on contemporary Mexican and international through two exhibition rooms, a cinema for screenings, and forums for discussions, operating under the Veracruz Institute of Culture. These spaces collectively support Xalapa's vibrant scene for and temporary shows by emerging and established creators.

Sports and Recreation

Major Sports Facilities

The Estadio Xalapeño, also known as Estadio Heriberto Jara Corona, serves as Xalapa's principal athletics venue, featuring a 400-meter designed for events. Inaugurated on October 25, 1925, it holds the distinction of being Mexico's first public stadium and has hosted generations of regional and national competitions, though its capacity remains modest at around 5,000 spectators. In 2024, the stadium was designated a site by the state of , underscoring its architectural significance amid ongoing maintenance efforts. The Unidad Deportiva Universitaria, operated by the Universidad Veracruzana, constitutes the city's largest multi-sport complex, encompassing a multi-purpose gymnasium, and stadiums, two courts, two courts, three soccer fields, one , and courts. Established to support university-level training and competitions, it includes facilities for over a dozen sports but lacks advanced international-standard equipment for disciplines like or due to budgetary constraints typical of public institutions in the region. Additional public venues include the Unidad Deportiva La Lagunilla, which offers soccer fields, diamonds, and a open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily under police oversight. These facilities primarily accommodate and recreational use, with limited upgrades reflecting chronic underfunding in Veracruz's municipal sports infrastructure since the early .

Local Teams and Achievements

Halcones de Xalapa, a professional basketball team affiliated with the Universidad Veracruzana, competes in Mexico's (LNBP), the country's premier basketball league. The team has secured four national championships in the LNBP, winning titles in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010, establishing it as one of the league's most successful franchises despite operating in a mid-sized with limited compared to larger metropolitan teams. These victories highlight the team's reliance on local talent development and university resources rather than extensive external funding, though sustained national dominance has been challenging post-2010 due to financial constraints and roster turnover. In , Xalapa lacks representation in Mexico's top-tier or even the , with local clubs primarily active in regional and amateur leagues such as the Liga Premier de Fútbol Infantil y Juvenil or affiliates. Historical teams like Delfines de Xalapa participated in the from the until disbanding without securing promotions or national titles, reflecting chronic underfunding and competition from Veracruz City's larger clubs like Tiburones Rojos. Similarly, Xalapa FC competed in the during the but folded amid resource shortages, earning nicknames like "Equipo del Pueblo" for its grassroots operation yet achieving no major accolades. Baseball features Chileros de Xalapa in the Liga Invernal Veracruzana, a regional winter circuit, where the team has competed without advancing to national professional levels like the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol. Local achievements remain confined to seasonal wins and community engagement, underscoring Xalapa's sports ecosystem's emphasis on regional participation over elite competition, constrained by budgetary limitations in a city prioritizing education and culture over large-scale athletic investments.

Media Landscape

Diario de Xalapa, established on September 13, 1943, serves as a primary daily print newspaper in the city, covering local, regional, national, and international news through its affiliation with Organizacion Editorial Mexicana. It maintains a print edition alongside a robust digital platform featuring articles, analysis, and multimedia content accessible via its website and channels. El Heraldo de Xalapa, published by Grupo Editorial Sánchez, operates as another key print and digital outlet focused on Xalapa-specific reporting, including politics, police matters, and opinion pieces. Crónica de Xalapa, under Grupo Editorial Olmeca, functions predominantly as a digital news portal but echoes print-era comprehensiveness with sections on politics, sports, and local events. El Dictamen, Veracruz's longest-running newspaper with origins tracing to September 16, 1898, provides statewide coverage that includes Xalapa and has transitioned to emphasize digital delivery while retaining print distribution. La Jornada Veracruz maintains a daily print edition specifically in Xalapa, supplemented by access to Veracruz-focused . Print circulation in Xalapa has faced declines, evidenced by the reduction of newsstands to approximately four or five in the city center as of May 2025, prompting outlets to diversify into digital formats and non-newspaper sales for survival. This shift mirrors broader trends, with closures of smaller titles like Oye Xalapa amid economic pressures on local since the early .

Radio and Television Outlets

Xalapa is served by multiple FM radio stations, including XHWA-FM broadcasting at 98.5 MHz as One FM, focusing on formats. Other prominent outlets include Xalapa on 104.1 MHz, delivering pop and top 40 music, and stations like Sensación FM offering and beat programming. University-affiliated stations, such as Radio Universidad Veracruzana on 90.5 MHz, provide educational content, news, and cultural programming from the state capital.
StationFrequencyFormat/Owner
One FM (XHWA-FM)98.5 MHzContemporary hits
Los 40 Xalapa104.1 MHzPop/Top 40
Radio UV (XHRUV-FM)90.5 MHzEducational/Public
Radio Cañón (XHJH-FM)92.9 MHz/NTR Medios
Television broadcasting in Xalapa includes national networks relayed through local transmitters, such as on channel 7 (XHAH-TV) and Canal 5 on channel 9 (XHAI-TV), both operated by . State-owned Radio Televisión de Veracruz (RTV), headquartered in Xalapa at Cerro de las Galaxias, produces regional content and airs on multiple channels, including affiliations with national signals. Local channel TVMÁS operates on 26.1, serving Veracruz audiences with news and entertainment tailored to the region. RTV, as the primary state television outlet, faced allegations of censorship during scandals under former Governor (2010–2016), when coverage of and was reportedly suppressed to align with narratives. This included limiting broadcasts critical of state policies amid rising debt and opacity in .

Journalistic Challenges and Press Freedom Issues

Veracruz state, where Xalapa serves as the capital and a hub for regional media, ranks among Mexico's deadliest regions for journalists, with violence primarily driven by drug and local power structures. According to data from the press freedom organization , at least 31 journalists have been murdered in as of late 2024, many in connection with coverage of , , and political malfeasance; five others remain missing. This toll, spanning roughly from 2000 onward, reflects a pattern where retaliation targets reporters exposing cartel operations or official complicity, contributing to Mexico's overall record of over 160 journalist killings since 2000. In Xalapa specifically, the 2012 strangling of Regina Martínez, bureau chief for the investigative magazine Proceso, underscored these risks; her reporting on state government abuses and infiltration was widely cited as the motive, yet official probes were criticized for fabricating evidence and shielding suspects, exemplifying persistent . Similar fates befell photojournalists in nearby areas, such as the 2012 slayings of three in ports, dumped in bags after documenting turf wars. High rates—exceeding 90% nationally for such cases—deter thorough investigations, as state mechanisms often fail to protect or prosecute, per analyses from groups like the . The cumulative effect has induced systemic among Veracruz journalists, who routinely omit or sanitize cartel-related stories to avoid reprisals, a phenomenon described in 2017 as trapping reporters in a "state of fear" between narcos and corrupt officials. Outlets in Xalapa and beyond have adopted "pactos de impunidad," informal pacts limiting narco-coverage in exchange for survival, distorting public discourse on security and governance. Surveys indicate over two-thirds of Mexican journalists nationwide engage in such practices amid threats, with Veracruz exemplifying how violence erodes press independence and .

Notable Individuals

Political Figures

General Juan de la Luz Enríquez Lara (1836–1892), a military officer and politician from , played a pivotal role in elevating Xalapa's status as the state capital. As governor of Veracruz from 1884 to 1892, he relocated key legislative functions from to Xalapa in 1885, consolidating administrative power there and fostering its growth as a political center. This decision, driven by strategic and developmental considerations, led to the city's official renaming as Xalapa-Enríquez in his honor, reflecting his enduring influence on its political landscape. Earlier, during Mexico's independence era, Xalapa served as a site for early republican governance, hosting the first Constituent Congress of Veracruz in the 1820s, which laid foundational political structures for the state. Figures like , born in Xalapa in 1794, emerged from the region to shape national politics, though his direct ties to local independence activities were limited as he rose through military ranks in nearby by 1821.

Intellectuals and Writers

Xalapa's intellectual milieu, bolstered by the Universidad Veracruzana founded in 1944, has fostered a tradition of literary innovation and social commentary among its writers. The city's elevation from 1,400 meters above sea level and its role as 's administrative center have attracted thinkers drawn to its academic vibrancy and relative isolation from Mexico City's dominance. Sergio Galindo (1926–1993), born in Xalapa, produced novels and short stories examining interpersonal knots and existential tensions, as in Nudo (1953), reflecting mid-20th-century Mexican societal shifts. His narrative style emphasized psychological depth over didacticism, earning recognition for portraying human frailty amid post-revolutionary transitions. Galindo's early studies in literature at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, followed by European influences, informed his return to Veracruz themes. Sergio Pitol (1933–2018), who resided in Xalapa for decades, elevated the locale's cultural profile through his multifaceted oeuvre as novelist, essayist, and translator. Recipient of the 2005 Cervantes Prize, Pitol's works like El viaje (2000) blended , travelogue, and , drawing on Eastern European influences to critique Latin American identity. His tenure directing the Universidad Veracruzana's library and promoting international exchanges solidified Xalapa's status as a literary hub. In the 1930s, the Grupo Noviembre formed in Xalapa, pioneering amid Mexico's post-revolutionary labor movements. Comprising local authors responding to economic disparities, the group published manifestos and stories advocating , predating broader national trends in socially engaged writing. This collective effort highlighted Xalapa's early contributions to ideological literature, distinct from urban avant-gardes.

Athletes and Artists

Crisanto Grajales Valencia, a born in Xalapa, has competed for in four , earning qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics through strong performances in ITU World Series events, including a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships in , . His earlier Olympic participations include 2008, 2012, and 2020, where he finished 36th in the men's , highlighting endurance in a discipline demanding sustained high-intensity effort over 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run. The city's basketball scene features the Halcones UV Xalapa team, which has secured multiple (LNBP) titles, including championships in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013, with players like and J.J. Ávila contributing to Mexico's national team successes, such as silver medals at the in 2013 and 2022. Local talents from Xalapa, including Víctor Ávila, have advanced through the team's youth system to levels, emphasizing defensive records and scoring averages exceeding 80 points per game in championship seasons. Gabriel Orozco, born in Xalapa in 1962, is a conceptual whose works, such as La DS (1993)—a modified Citroën DS car sliced and reassembled—and Black Kites (1997) series of skull drawings, explore themes of transformation and mortality, earning acclaim through solo exhibitions at the in 2009 and representation of Mexico at the 1993 . His practice, rooted in readymade interventions and nomadic production, has influenced contemporary and installation, with pieces acquired by institutions like the Guggenheim Museum for their precise engagement with space and object. Xalapa maintains a vibrant muralist tradition extending the social realist style of , featuring large-scale public works that depict indigenous history, revolutionary themes, and local identity, as compiled in studies of over 50 murals from the mid-20th century onward by artists including Norberto Martínez and Francisco Salmerón Tinajero. Notable examples include Salmerón's Paseo de Cortés por Xalapa (1960) in the Xallitic neighborhood, portraying colonial encounters with veracruzano landscapes, and contemporary efforts by locals like Ibhar Martín Morales Solís, whose site-specific murals integrate community narratives and have earned regional recognition for technical innovation in urban spaces. This legacy, preserved amid urban development, underscores causal links between post-revolutionary ideology and as tools for in .

International Relations

Sister Cities and Partnerships

Xalapa maintains a sister city agreement with , , formalized on August 3, 2005, through an official hermanamiento pact signed by municipal authorities to foster mutual understanding, cultural exchanges, and potential cooperation in and . The relationship emphasizes people-to-people connections, including artistic collaborations and visits by delegations, as evidenced by reciprocal cultural events such as art exhibitions and municipal receptions. In February 2025, Xalapa's mayor hosted Omaha representatives to reinforce ties ahead of the agreement's 20th anniversary, highlighting ongoing exchanges in culture and community programs without documented large-scale investments or infrastructure projects. These partnerships primarily facilitate symbolic and grassroots interactions rather than substantive economic or trade commitments, consistent with the limited tangible outcomes reported in municipal records.

References

  1. https://mexicorelocationguide.com/xalapa-the-hidden-gem-of-veracruz/
  2. https://www.uv.mx/eee/about/xalapa/
  3. https://www.economia.gob.mx/datamexico/en/profile/geo/xalapa
  4. https://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1528-xalapa-veracruz-my-mexican-city-of-dreams/
  5. http://www.revistascisan.unam.mx/Voices/pdfs/6619.pdf
  6. https://lugares.inah.gob.mx/en/node/4820
  7. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/xalapa-museum-of-anthropology
  8. https://visitmexico.com/en/destino/17942/xalapa
  9. https://www.villalasmargaritas.com/en/conocexalapa
  10. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nahuatl-language
  11. https://www.somosprimos.com/schmal/emex.htm
  12. https://sapp.uv.mx/catalogomax/en-US/Home/HistoriaColeccion
  13. https://www.britannica.com/place/Xalapa
  14. https://programadestinosmexico.com/en/historia-de-xalapa/
  15. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-05-23-tr-39108-story.html
  16. https://www.farhorizons.com/tour/in-the-path-of-the-ancient-olmec/
  17. https://www.latinamericanstudies.org/totonac/olmec-legacy.pdf
  18. https://www.indigenousmexico.org/articles/veracruz-the-third-most-indigenous-state-of-mexico
  19. https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/uf/e0/04/10/40/00001/olmossparks_i.pdf
  20. https://kids.kiddle.co/Xalapa
  21. https://atlantictravelers2.wixsite.com/atlanticcommodities/cochineal
  22. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2730237/
  23. https://www.doaks.org/resources/online-exhibits/epidemics/epidemics-english/century-of-sorrow
  24. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/30713054.pdf
  25. https://oxfordre.com/latinamericanhistory/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199366439.001.0001/acrefore-9780199366439-e-556
  26. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1711&context=masters
  27. https://history.army.mil/Research/Reference-Topics/Army-Campaigns/Brief-Summaries/Mexican-War-Campaigns/
  28. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1861-1865/french-intervention
  29. https://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/02/world/americas/mexico-drug-war-fast-facts
  30. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/mexicos-long-war-drugs-crime-and-cartels
  31. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-12197299
  32. https://www.npr.org/2011/09/21/140675813/bodies-of-35-people-dumped-in-veracruz-mexico
  33. https://www.pridenz.com/gaynz/18409.html
  34. https://countervortex.org/blog/this-years-other-gay-bar-massacre-in-mexico/
  35. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-37776955
  36. https://veracruzdailypost.com/2025/08/01/two-out-of-three-business-owners-are-extorted-in-veracruz-coparmex/
  37. https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/mexico
  38. https://cartelinsider.com/criminal-tax-is-back-three-cartels-charge-for-a-right-to-conduct-businesses-in-veracruz/
  39. https://en-us.topographic-map.com/map-hpx3gp/Xalapa/
  40. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956247812437520
  41. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/2/802
  42. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/7/7/8587
  43. https://www.thegef.org/news/banking-nature-mexican-city-adapts-climate-change
  44. https://cityadapt.com/en/ecological-and-agroforestry-restauration-of-the-estropajo-hill-in-xalapa/
  45. https://www.weatherandclimate.com/mexico/veracruz/xalapa
  46. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/impacts-el-nino-and-la-nina-hurricane-season
  47. https://www.facebook.com/ChristianPost.Intl/posts/the-rains-that-occurred-in-mexico-in-recent-days-caused-severe-flooding-in-sever/1109855644680467/
  48. https://cpo.noaa.gov/how-will-climate-change-impact-el-ni241o-and-la-ni241a/
  49. https://mapcarta.com/Xalapa
  50. https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexico-living/farmers-change-veracruz-coffee/
  51. https://news.mongabay.com/2024/01/in-mexico-xalapas-chronic-water-scarcity-reflects-a-deepening-national-crisis/
  52. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283996827_Pollution_of_urban_rivers_the_case_of_the_river_basin_of_Rio_Sordo_in_Xalapa_Veracruz_Mexico
  53. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/local/xalapa-vivio-uno-de-los-anos-con-mas-escasez-de-agua-potable-en-su-historia-20807594
  54. https://e-veracruz.mx/nota/2024-06-10/municipios/xalapa-cumple-tres-meses-de-protestas-por-falta-de-agua
  55. https://sociedadtrespuntocero.com/2025/03/xalapa-la-ciudad-del-caos-3-la-crisis-del-agua/
  56. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/local/conagua-advierte-por-falta-de-agua-en-2024-en-varios-municipios-de-veracruz-cuales-son-13445155
  57. https://una.city/nbs/xalapa-city/ecosystem-based-adaptation-xalapa
  58. https://es.mongabay.com/2024/03/mexico-escasez-de-agua-xalapa-crisis-nacional/
  59. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/local/semar-y-pemex-contienen-derrame-de-hidrocarburos-que-contamino-mas-de-8-kilometros-del-rio-pantepec-en-veracruz-26441413
  60. https://e-veracruz.mx/nota/2025-10-24/municipios/derrame-de-crudo-en-el-rio-pantepec-ya-es-emergencia-nacional
  61. https://www.notiver.com/primera/bajo-la-lupa-derrame-de-pemex/
  62. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/pemex-pipeline-spill-contaminates-mexican-river-after-torrential-126742728
  63. https://causanaturamedia.com/periodismo-cn/pemex-registra-176-derrames-y-fugas-de-alto-impacto-ambiental-de-2018-a-2021
  64. https://www.inegi.org.mx/app/areasgeograficas?ag=30087
  65. https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/21878/xalapa/population
  66. https://geo-mexico.com/?p=5977
  67. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4156478/
  68. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0903045106
  69. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-26188-w
  70. https://www.economia.gob.mx/datamexico/es/profile/geo/xalapa
  71. https://jornadaveracruz.com.mx/en-veracruz-9-1-de-la-poblacion-habla-una-lengua-indigena-y-se-reconoce-como-tal-inegi/
  72. http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2448-62212022000100099
  73. https://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/dspace/handle/10161/7198
  74. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1533&context=leg_etd
  75. https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/mexican-biobank-project-maps-mexicos-genetic-diversity/
  76. https://datos.bancomundial.org/indicador/SI.POV.GINI?locations=MX
  77. https://apps1.semarnat.gob.mx:8443/dgeia/compendio_2021/dgeiawf.semarnat.gob.mx_8080/ibi_apps/WFServletd5a8.html
  78. https://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1665-89062023000100016&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=en
  79. https://www.csis.org/analysis/understanding-impact-remittances-mexicos-economy-and-safeguarding-their-future-impact
  80. https://edepot.wur.nl/302730
  81. http://www.ordenjuridico.gob.mx/Estatal/VERACRUZ/Municipios/Xalapa/XALAReg13.pdf
  82. https://lospoliticosveracruz.com.mx/?p=146476
  83. https://www.gobernantes.com/vernota.php?id=482683
  84. https://elheraldodeveracruz.com.mx/regional/106626-cabildo-de-xalapa-quedaria-con-mayoria-opositora.html
  85. https://xalapa.gob.mx/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ayun-Xalapa-Organigrama-2022-2025.pdf
  86. https://xalapa.gob.mx/directorio/
  87. https://xalapa.gob.mx/direccion-de-presupuesto-y-contabilidad/presupuesto-de-egresos-aprobado/
  88. https://www.hrratings.com/pdf/Reporte_Xalapa_20240904.pdf
  89. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/former-mexican-governor-pleads-guilty-corruption-sentenced-9-years-n914226
  90. https://www.occrp.org/en/news/mexicos-worst-governor-in-history-gets-nine-years-for-corruption
  91. https://www.wsj.com/articles/mexicos-states-gained-power-and-money-then-came-corruption-1489432708
  92. https://animalpolitico.com/sociedad/duarte-lencero-policias-desapariciones
  93. https://wradio.com.mx/2024/11/18/veracruz-7-mil-desaparecidos-70-mil-millones-desviados-y-javier-duarte-a-un-paso-de-ser-liberado/
  94. https://www.sinembargo.mx/3049812/duarte-pacto-con-zetas-y-luego-con-nuevo-cartel-dice-a-vice-lider-criminal-en-la-clandestinidad/
  95. https://www.cfr.org/blog/mexicos-corrupt-governors-0
  96. https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-america-caribbean/mexico/061-veracruz-fixing-mexicos-state-terror
  97. https://elcensal.com/participacion-electoral-en-xalapa-tuvo-un-29-65-este-2025/
  98. https://somee.org.mx/v2/descarga/extenso?f=c2e134de269a4cc0b3d1af121baacc19
  99. https://www.facebook.com/diario.lostuxtlas/posts/veracruz-registra-su-nivel-m%25C3%25A1s-bajo-de-participaci%25C3%25B3n-ciudadana-desde-2017-solo-v/1303356621799133/
  100. https://www.entornopolitico.com/columna/32250/articulo/
  101. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/local/gana-ahued-con-mas-de-111-mil-votos-alcaldia-de-xalapa-tras-cierre-del-prep-15541415
  102. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/analisis/morena-y-su-corrupcion-sistematica-13412470
  103. https://www.alcalorpolitico.com/informacion/morena-hundio-a-veracruz-en-corrupcion-desbordada-acusa-luis-carbonell-de-mc-433020.html
  104. https://elregionalcoatepec.com/hoy-gano-xalapa-seguiremos-haciendo-historia-daniela-griego/
  105. https://www.alcalorpolitico.com/informacion/columnas.php?idcolumna=22620
  106. https://heraldodexalapa.com.mx/xalapa/83192-en-el-desempleo-2-1-millones-de-veracruzanos-inegi.html
  107. https://mexiconewsdaily.com/culture/xalapas-anthropology-museum-is-a-must-see-in-veracruz/
  108. https://worldliteraturetoday.org/2025/may/destination-xalapa-where-anthropology-museum-must-persis-karim
  109. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/cultura/museo-de-antropologia-de-xalapa-numero-de-visitas-y-carencias-del-recinto-xalapeno-15340961
  110. https://jornadaveracruz.com.mx/en-2024-xalapa-recibio-a-820-mil-turistas/
  111. https://avcnoticias.com.mx/noticias-veracruz/xalapa/367831/xalapa-supera-la-cifra-de-800-mil-visitantes-al-a-o-turismo-municipal.html
  112. https://www.unesco.org/en/creative-cities/xalapa
  113. https://www.unesco.org/sites/default/files/medias/fichiers/2025/04/Xalapa_Monitoring_Report_2024.pdf
  114. https://www.visit-mexico.mx/news/august-2023/xallitic-the-heart-of-xalapa-and-the-citys-new-magical-neighborhood/
  115. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/turismo/xalapa-apuesta-por-el-turismo-para-mejorar-la-economia-de-la-ciudad-de-las-flores-24474681
  116. https://www.ceicdata.com/en/mexico/visitor-arrivals-by-tourist-center-annual/visitor-arrivals-foreign-tc-veracruz-ver
  117. https://www.quora.com/How-safe-is-Xalapa-Veracruz-Mexico
  118. https://www.visit-mexico.mx/news/september-2023/tourism-in-veracruz-a-strategic-sector-that-promotes-state-economic-diversification/
  119. https://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1870-66222023000100083
  120. https://safeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Forecast-Report_-Mexico-Droughts-and-the-Ongoing-Water-Crisis.pdf
  121. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/protective-greenbelt-mexican-city-hopes-fend-climate-change
  122. https://apnews.com/article/mexico-floods-veracruz-spill-14186b3e9ed9ef780089d4fdcb80d32d
  123. https://www.ogj.com/general-interest/article/17286365/diesel-spill-in-veracruz-sparks-threat-of-pemex-ban
  124. https://www.mexicoviolence.org/post/a-brutal-complicity
  125. https://insightcrime.org/mexico-organized-crime-news/gulf-cartel-profile/
  126. https://insightcrime.org/mexico-organized-crime-news/zetas-profile/
  127. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Los-Zetas
  128. https://insightcrime.org/news/interview/mexico-zetas-criminal-powerhouse-fragmented-remnants/
  129. https://remezcla.com/culture/xalapa-gay-bar-murders/
  130. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUr4hC5r_S4
  131. https://derechadiario.com.ar/us/mexico/coparmex-warns-that-2-3-businesspeople-are-victims-of-extortion-in-veracruz
  132. https://www.numbeo.com/crime/in/Xalapa-Veracruz-Mexico
  133. https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9780889776111-014/html
  134. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/publication/05_victims_movement_villagran.pdf
  135. https://justiceinmexico.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OCVM-2020.pdf
  136. http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1870-05782023000100081
  137. https://insightcrime.org/news/analysis/veracruz-report-unveils-mexico-state-of-terror/
  138. https://gruporaseg.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IHS-Markits-Mexico-Violent-Crime-Report-Eleventh-Edition.pdf
  139. https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-america-caribbean/mexico/106-generals-labyrinth-crime-and-military-mexico
  140. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/democraciaabierta/mexico-s-war-on-crime-decade-of-militarized-failure/
  141. https://insightcrime.org/news/mexico-ignores-alternatives-to-militarization-report/
  142. https://www.gob.mx/inafed/articulos/dia-de-muertos-tradicion-mexicana-que-trasciende-en-el-tiempo
  143. https://www.uv.mx/universo/destacadas/dia-de-muertos-tradicion-que-aviva-a-los-mexicanos/
  144. https://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/mira-como-se-celebra-dia-de-muertos-en-xalapa.html
  145. https://jornadaveracruz.com.mx/actividades-para-el-dia-de-muertos-2024-en-xalapa/
  146. https://xalapa.gob.mx/blog/2023/10/26/actividades-por-dia-de-muertos-detonan-el-turismo/
  147. https://www.gob.mx/agn/articulos/las-ferias-de-xalapa-y-de-acapulco-en-la-nueva-espana?idiom=es
  148. https://programadestinosmexico.com/historia-de-xalapa/
  149. https://www.travellerspoint.com/guide/Xalapa/
  150. https://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1527-jalapena-christmas-a-holiday-in-xalapa/
  151. https://veracruzrestaurantwpb.com/blog/the-secret-ingredients-that-make-veracruz-cuisine-unique/
  152. https://programadestinosmexico.com/en/gastronomia-de-xalapa/
  153. http://priyaeasyntastyrecipes.blogspot.com/2014/09/molotesxalapan-molotes-xalapan-street.html
  154. https://veracruzrestaurantwpb.com/blog/the-history-and-evolution-of-veracruz-cuisine/
  155. https://cookpad.com/eng/recipes/6256938
  156. https://mexiconewsdaily.com/food/xalapa-cafes-best-in-mexico/
  157. https://www.senderotravel.com/st_tour/coffee-trails-of-veracruz/
  158. https://mexitours.travel/xalapa-with-coffee-aroma/
  159. https://www.lapl.org/libros-fest/authors/yuyi-morales
  160. https://bookriot.com/5-excellent-hispanic-authors-to-read-now/
  161. https://latinamericanliteraturetoday.org/2018/02/history-some-prizes-sergio-pitol/
  162. https://literalmagazine.com/nellie-campobello-y-las-causas-no-naturales/
  163. https://www.uv.mx/en/academic-programs/
  164. https://www.bostonphil.org/support/bpyosponsorship
  165. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17945766
  166. https://latamjournalismreview.org/articles/violence-impunity-and-distrust-make-veracruz-one-of-the-most-dangerous-places-to-be-a-journalist-in-mexico/
  167. https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-veracruz-became-the-most-dangerous-state-in-mexico-for-journalists/
  168. https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Xalapa/Veracruz-Airport-VER
  169. https://www.travelmath.com/nearest-airport/Xalapa%2C%2BMexico
  170. https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Mexico-City/Xalapa
  171. https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Xalapa/Veracruz
  172. https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Xalapa
  173. https://www.milehacker.com/travel/mexico/veracruz/xalapa-de-enriquez/getting-around-xalapa-de-enriquez-public-transport/
  174. https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/amlo-looking-to-tender-and-complete-xalapa-light-rail-system-by-2024
  175. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/local/cuantas-personas-en-xalapa-no-cuentan-con-servicio-medico-estas-son-las-cifras-15494856
  176. https://www.coneval.org.mx/coordinacion/entidades/Documents/Informes_pobreza_evaluacion_2022/Veracruz.pdf
  177. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/local/unidades-medicas-de-veracruz-concedidas-al-imss-bienestar-que-hospitales-son-y-como-registrarse-18427427
  178. https://www.economia.gob.mx/datamexico/es/profile/geo/xalapa-993008
  179. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/local/ya-no-caben-mas-enfermos-de-covid-en-2-hospitales-de-xalapa-15557758
  180. https://www.meganoticias.mx/index.php/queretaro/noticia/pacientes-con-covid-19-ocupan-173-camas-en-veracruz/150085
  181. https://www.economia.gob.mx/datamexico/en/profile/institution/universidad-veracruzana
  182. https://www.economia.gob.mx/datamexico/en/profile/institution/universidad-de-xalapa
  183. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2010/12/higher-education-in-regional-and-city-development-state-of-veracruz-mexico-2010_g1g10b61/9789264089013-en.pdf
  184. https://gpseducation.oecd.org/CountryProfile?primaryCountry=MEX&treshold=10&topic=PI
  185. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-53576-1
  186. https://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/etred/v6n11/2007-901X-era-6-11-40.pdf
  187. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/universidad-veracruzana-529598
  188. https://www.economia.gob.mx/datamexico/en/profile/geo/xalapa?redirect=true
  189. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8599019/
  190. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g154235-d1961602-Reviews-Parque_Juarez-Xalapa_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html
  191. https://www.janineintheworld.com/things-to-do-in-xalapa-veracruz/
  192. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/mexico/veracruz/parque-natura-xalapa
  193. https://pronaturaveracruz.org/seccionrecursos/art%25C3%25ADculo/Toledo-Garibaldi%2520et%2520al.%25202023.%2520Regeneration.pdf
  194. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1618866722001765
  195. https://thinkhazard.org/en/report/21266-mexico-veracruz-xalapa/UF
  196. https://envirodm.org/resource/nature-based-flood-management-in-urban-settings-lessons-learned-from-city-adapt-in-xalapa-mexico/
  197. https://www.unep.org/gef/news-and-stories/story/protective-greenbelt-mexican-city-hopes-fend-climate-change
  198. https://m.facebook.com/oscar.cruzhernandez.35/videos/macroplaza-xalapa-veracruz-newcruz73-cruz73-xalapa/543573581684623/
  199. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/central-gulf-coast/xalapa/attractions/catedral-metropolitana/a/poi-sig/1404657/361491
  200. https://activities.marriott.com/north-america/mexico/veracruz/activities/xalapa_and_coatepec_cultural_tour_from_veracruz-XMM66T
  201. https://directorioicc.sela.org/directory/teatro-del-estado-gral-ignacio-de-la-llave/
  202. https://sic.gob.mx/ficha.php?table=teatro&table_id=54
  203. https://www.facebook.com/TeatroDelEstado/
  204. https://www.orquestasinfonicadexalapa.com/
  205. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g154235-d153816-Reviews-Xalapa_Symphony_Orchestra-Xalapa_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html
  206. https://en.travelbymexico.com/xalapa/places-to-visit/?nom=kxalpinacoteca
  207. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g154235-d152786-Reviews-Pinocateca_Diego_Rivera-Xalapa_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html
  208. https://inba.gob.mx/recinto/586
  209. https://sic.cultura.gob.mx/ficha.php?table=galeria&table_id=336
  210. https://gacxalapa.blogspot.com/
  211. https://www.veracruz.gob.mx/2024/10/09/rumbo-al-centenario-estadio-xalapeno-es-declarado-patrimonio-cultural-de-veracruz/
  212. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/deportes/que-actividades-se-pueden-hacer-en-el-estadio-xalapeno-13400935
  213. https://www.uv.mx/daduv/general/instalaciones-xalapa/
  214. https://www.uv.mx/dpcm/general/infraestructura-deportiva/
  215. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/mexico/veracruz/pista-unidad-deportiva-la-lagunilla-xalapa
  216. https://www.facebook.com/p/Unidad-Deportiva-La-Lagunilla-61573594078032/
  217. https://betsapi.com/ts/555922/Halcones-de-Xalapa
  218. https://www.basketballfeelings.com/p/flashes-of-gold
  219. https://futbol-mexicano.fandom.com/es/wiki/Delfines_de_Xalapa
  220. https://www.alcalordeportivo.com.mx/xalapa/breve-historia-del-xalapa-fc-que-participo-en-la-decada-de-los-80s-en-la-tercera-division/
  221. https://x.com/DIARIODE_XALAPA
  222. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/
  223. https://www.facebook.com/OEMDiariodeXalapa/
  224. https://heraldodexalapa.com.mx/
  225. https://cronicadexalapa.com.mx/
  226. https://www.identidadveracruz.com/2018/09/08/el-dictamen-120-anos-de-historias/
  227. https://www.eldictamen.mx/
  228. https://www.facebook.com/LaJornadaVeracruz/
  229. https://cronicadexalapa.com.mx/puestos-de-periodicos-y-revistas-hacia-la-extincion/
  230. https://elsoldeveracruz.com/la-crisis-de-las-empresas-periodisticas/
  231. https://tunein.com/radio/One-985-s91387/
  232. https://www.radio.net/s/los40xalapa
  233. https://streema.com/radios/Xalapa_VE
  234. https://www.rtv.org.mx/
  235. http://www.tvmas.mx/
  236. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/02/mexico-elections-governors-veracruz-javier-duarte
  237. https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/preventing-the-murders-of-journalists-in-mexico-one-mayor-at-a-time/
  238. https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/journalism-still-deadly-in-mexico/
  239. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/06/murder-in-mexico-journalists-caught-in-the-crosshairs-regina-martinez-cartel-project
  240. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/5/4/three-journalists-slain-in-mexicos-veracruz
  241. https://cpj.org/reports/2010/09/silence-death-mexico-press-nation-crisis/
  242. https://rsf.org/en/rsf-publishes-report-veracruz-journalists-and-state-fear
  243. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/04/mexico-journalists-killed-drug-cartels
  244. https://news.miami.edu/stories/2016/08/dangerous-assignments-how-journalists-stay-alive-in-mexico.html
  245. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/tendencias/por-que-le-debemos-a-juan-de-la-luz-enriquez-que-xalapa-sea-capital-de-veracruz-13430342
  246. https://relatosehistorias.mx/nuestras-historias/xalapa-enriquez-tomo-su-apellido-del-gobernador-juan-de-la-luz-enriquez
  247. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-birth-of-the-states-of-the-mexican-republic-part-ii-archivo-general-de-la-nacion/nwXRlmtpxSEzzw?hl=en-US
  248. https://worldhistoryedu.com/president-of-mexico-antonio-lopez-de-santa-anna/
  249. https://bibliographica.iib.unam.mx/index.php/RB/article/view/61
  250. https://www.jstor.org/stable/338637
  251. https://www.themodernnovel.org/americas/latin-america/mexico/galindo/
  252. https://www.jornada.com.mx/2024/12/29/cultura/a02n2cul
  253. https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/nea-big-read/sun-stone-and-shadows
  254. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/deportes/juegos-olimpicos-2024-quienes-son-los-7-veracruzanos-que-viajaran-a-paris-para-competir-13401317
  255. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/deportes/veracruzanos-van-por-la-gloria-a-tokio-desde-los-experimentados-hasta-las-jovenes-promesas-deportivas-que-debutaran-en-unas-olimpiadas-15610803
  256. https://halconesdexalapa.com.mx/jugadores-de-halcones-de-xalapa-brillan-con-la-seleccion-nacional/
  257. https://www.uv.mx/universo-hemeroteca/263/halcones/halcones05.htm
  258. https://art21.org/artist/gabriel-orozco/
  259. https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/artist/gabriel-orozco
  260. https://www.uv.mx/prensa/cultura/melchor-peredo-recopilo-historia-del-muralismo-en-xalapa/
  261. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/cultura/muralista-xalapeno-ibhar-martin-morales-solis-cuales-son-algunas-obras-del-artista-13424197
  262. https://oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/cultura/que-murales-murales-tiene-xalapa-y-donde-se-ubican-13425145
  263. https://enlaceveracruz212.com.mx/nota.php?id=107549
  264. https://portales.sre.gob.mx/coordinacionpolitica/images/stories/documentos_gobiernos/rai/ver/ver4.pdf
  265. https://xalapa.gob.mx/blog/2025/02/25/fortalecen-xalapa-y-omaha-sus-relaciones-de-hermanamiento/
  266. https://portal.clubrunner.ca/5609/stories/omaha-strengthens-ties-with-xalapa
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.