Soconusco

Soconusco name of a historical region and administrative unit in Central America, which includes both areas in Mexico and in Guatemala. The city of Tapachula is the unofficial capital of Soconusco.

Location

The geographical area of Soconusco includes the extreme south-eastern Mexico (area 5776 km ² ) and a narrow border strip in south-western Guatemala. ( Some authors stretch the historical boundaries further west or further east. ) Although Soconusco comprises only about 7 % of the land area of the state of Chiapas, life in this region approximately 18 % of the population of Chiapas. Soconusco is one of the most densely populated and most prosperous regions of Mexico.

Toponyms

The Nahuatl name Xoconochco means about as much as ' the land of the cactus fruit ', which thrive in the tropical climate of all cacti and Opuntia only in the somewhat drier mountain regions. The Mayan name in the Quiché language is Zaklohpakab, which means roughly ' the land of the ancestors '.

Geography and Municipalities

The Soconusco province is geographically characterized by three zones: the coast, the fertile hinterland and the mountains of the Sierra Madre. The height of the peaks ranges from 4064 m in the east ( volcano Tacaná ) to 2460 m in the west ( Cerro Tres Picos de ).

The former province is divided on the Mexican side in 15 counties ( municipios ): Acacoyagua, Acapetahua, Cacahoatán, Escuintla, Frontera Hidalgo, Huehuetán, Huixtla, Mazatán, Metapa, Pueblo Nuevo Comaltitlán, Ciudad Hidalgo, Tapachula, Tuxtla Chico, Unión Juárez and Tuzantán. On the Guatemalan side of the municipios Ocos and Ayutla be mentioned.

Climate

The entire area of the former province of Soconusco is located in the tropical climate zone. The average annual temperatures are dependent on the location: near the coast, it is extremely hot and humid; temperatures sometimes reach 45 °. In the hinterland there is a little more bearable - the average temperatures are usually 30 ° to 35 °; due to the frequent rains but it is also comparatively humid. The temperatures in the drier mountain regions are a little more comfortable; therefore, the valleys are at the foot of the mountains good for excursions and hikes.

Economy

On the coast and in the coastal lakes fishing took place already in pre-Hispanic times; whether the fish were used solely to self-sufficiency or were also negotiated in the hinterland, which was unlikely in the tropical climate, is not clear. In addition, made ​​of corn - as elsewhere in Central America - the essential basis for the diet of the inhabitants. With the improved cooling and transport conditions of fish and seafood are negotiated to the highlands of Mexico. Since the 1970s, the beach tourism plays an increasing role in the economy.

Especially in the late colonial period, the hinterland changed from a company dominated by livestock, sugar cane and cotton fields landscape to a plantation economy: Here today thrive heat-and moisture- loving crops such as cocoa, bananas, mangoes, papayas, star fruit ( Caramboles ) and rambutan, a lychee -like fruit from Southeast Asia.

The areas at the foot of the mountains are ideal for growing coffee, the good qualities and generate income brings, especially in the region around Unión Juárez. In addition, here the recreation, tourism plays a role in the economy.

Mangos

Papaya

Rambutan fruits

History

Pre-Hispanic period

Maybe even before the Olmec on ​​the Gulf Coast developed around 1700 BC in the Soconusco region of the Mokaya culture ( ' corn people ' in the Mixe- Zoque language ) - one of the oldest cultures of Mesoamerica. So far, no architectural remains of this culture have been discovered, but only pieces of pottery; However, some researchers believe that the Mokaya culture has had a stimulating effect on the emergence of the Olmecs. Another early center in the region of Soconusco was Izapa, traces of which go back to the time around 1500 BC. In 1486 the Aztec ruler Ahuitzotl conquered the region from which earlier (already processed? ) Cotton, feathers, jaguar skins and cocoa had come as trade goods to Tenochtitlán. However, the population opposed the foreign rule and so had to Moctezuma II in the years to send to the region in 1502 and 1505 troops.

Colonial

At the beginning of the conquest of the Spaniards train under Pedro de Alvarado, the Soconusco region was estimated to be about 75,000 inhabitants; after the Spanish conquest led primarily diseases to a marked decrease of the population. In 1526 Soconusco was elevated to the rank of a province and received a Governor; End of the 16th century also took Miguel de Cervantes efforts to maintain this lucrative post. In 1543, Chiapas and thus Socunusco came under the jurisdiction of (Real Audiencia ) of Guatemala, which the - were close cultural ties to Central America recognition, acknowledged by the Spanish crown - has long been existing. But already about 20 years later the capital of the Audiencia was transferred from Guatemala to Panama, and Chiapas fell out again under the jurisdiction of Mexico. In 1568 the Captaincy General of Guatemala was installed - Chiapas and Soconusco were parts of it. Huehuetán was the capital of the province of Soconusco since 1540, later it was Escuintla and last - after the dissolution and final annexation of the province of Chiapas in 1790 - Tapachula ( since 1794 ).

The repeated mistreatment of the Indians by the landowners in the 18th century led to riots and population decline. The Spaniards in Soconusco and southern highlands of Chiapas were among the first advocates of secession from Spain; regardless of Chiapas Mexico declared its independence in 1821. But you had to decide for economic and military reasons either for connection to Mexico or to the Central America ( Centro America ). Mexico Chiapas was annexed in 1824 formally into its territory, but remained the political affiliation controversial, as many Spanish landowners, but also large parts of the mestizo population Soconuscos favored the Central American and Guatemalan solution. The times also discharged military conflict was only decided in 1882 - as the boundary of the Río Suchiate was set up and a small portion in the southwest part of the former province of Guatemala since this time to Mexico. But there are still scattered voices calling for independence, but at least greater autonomy Soconuscos ...

Attractions

In addition to the scenic attractions ( sea, beaches, forests and mountains ) there are also several attractions of a cultural nature: First and foremost is the pre-Hispanic city of Izapa to call, which dates back to around 1500 BC; followed by the designated as Iglesia Vieja ruins in Tonala and other smaller localities in the area. Parts of the finds are exhibited in museums from Tapachula, and Tuxtla Gutierrez, Tonala (Museo del Soconusco Archaeological en Tapachula, Archaeological Museum de Tonala and Museo Regional de Chiapas ).

Imposing colonial time buildings are rare - the former Franciscan convent of San Francisco de Asís in Tonala is the most important of all.

Fauna and Flora

Although the almost tropical climate promotes the diversity of animal and plant life enormously, due to the dense population and economic exploitation of the land by the people of the once existing Diversifizität is not much left. It, however, several smaller protected areas have been established - but whether these actually serve to species protection in the first place, or should rather be regarded as an excursion areas, is not entirely clear.

Personalities

• Fray Matías de Córdova y Ordóñez (1768-1828), a monk and supporters of independence of Soconusco / Chiapas
• Sebastián Escobar (1831-1893), General and Governor of Chiapas
• Augusto Enrique Villarreal Quezada (1934-2005), writer and journalist; Fighter for the secession of the province of Soconusco in Chiapas