Xalapa

Xalapa de Enríquez (also Jalapa Enríquez de written ) is the capital of the Mexican state of Veracruz.

• 5.1 car
• 5.2 bus
• 5.3 aircraft
• 5.4 taxi
• 5.5 City buses

• 8.1 In the city 8.1.1 Historical Center 8.1.1.1 Callejon del Diamante
• 8.1.1.2 Cathedral Xalapa

Location

Xalapa is located 100 kilometers northwest of Veracruz Puerto and 360 kilometers southeast of Mexico City at an altitude of 1440 meters above the sea. The city is spread over an area of ​​118.45 square kilometers (equivalent to 0.16% of the state of Veracruz ). In the north, the area is limited around the city by various volcanoes in the Sierra Nevada (eg, Cofre de Perote ).

The neighboring communities of Xalapa are as follows:

Xalapa has numerous, small differences in height across the city. The extinct volcano Macuiltépec or Macuiltépetl, which is located in the north of the city and this surmounted by nearly 100 meters, is the landmark of the city. On its summit is a small museum. In addition, the whole hill is a nature reserve.

Population

In 2005, Xalapa had 413.136 inhabitants according to the census. According to the Consejo Nacional de Población, the Mexican statistical agency, Xalapa has 512'147 inhabitants (2008). In the urban districts additionally home to around 300,000 people.

History

Who were the first inhabitants of Xalapa, argue today for the historian. Some suspect that the Totonac first colonize the region of Xalapa. However, others are of the opinion that the people of the Toltecs originally lived there before he moved to the Yucatán Peninsula.

But it is clear that Xalapa eventually formed from several nations. Before the Spanish colonization, there were a total of four smaller places. This grew over time to a large common place with the name Xallapan (see naming). Around 1460 Xalapa became part of the Aztec empire under Moctezuma I and remained so until Mexico was conquered. Hernán Cortés reached the old Xalapa on his campaign against Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City) on August 17, 1519. The Conquistador Hernán Cortés ordered after his invasion to build a Catholic church for the village. At his request, they came after 1641.

On May 18, 1784, José María Alfaro let rise in Xalapa the first air balloon in the Americas. 1804 reached the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt Xalapa and called it the city of flowers. To date, this is the slogan of the city. 1824 Juan de la Luz Enríquez reached that you moved the capital of the state of Veracruz Veracruz from climatic and better Xalapa. Shortly afterwards, on 29 November 1830 declared officially Xalapa to town. In 1901, Xalapa was a rail connection with the construction of the Ferrocarril Interoceanico México - Veracruz (railway Mexico City - Veracruz ). Today, however, only goods are transported on the track.

Naming

The name of the city has changed over time: Initially it was called Xallapan, a combination of the two Nahuatl words Xalli (sand) and Apan ( place of water ). In colonial times, which was Hispanicized to Jalapa. In 1892 the town was officially renamed to Jalapa Enríquez de. This was done in honor of Governor Juan de la Luz Enríquez, who had advocated that Xalapa was the capital of the state of Veracruz. Many people nowadays still mistakenly believed that Vera Cruz - Puerto is the capital of the oil-rich state of Veracruz. In 1978 Vera Cruz decreed the case with X, since that is called the city of Xalapa de Enríquez officially.

Archdiocese of Jalapa

Xalapa is also seen in church an important place in Catholic Mexico. The Archdiocese of Jalapa was born on March 19, 1863 by Pope Pius IX. cessions of territory from the dioceses of Antequera and Tlaxcala erected as Diocese of Veracruz- Jalapa.

On June 29, 1951, Pope Pius XII. the former bishopric to an archbishopric. Eight years later, the Archdiocese of Veracruz- Jalapa were parts of its territory from establishing Diocese of San Andres Tuxtla. The Archdiocese of Veracruz- Jalapa was renamed on June 9, 1962 in Archdiocese of Jalapa.

Traffic

Car

By Xalapa the toll highway MEX -140 leads from the port of Vera Cruz to Puebla. During the part between Veracruz and Xalapa is fully expanded to 4 lanes, you have to go to Puebla, first a curvy mountain road (toll-free ) Cofre de Perote drive around the round to Perote. This is feared in the region for its slope and its weather conditions. It comes a week several times to fatal accidents, which are due to the poor visibility conditions or brake failure in large trucks. Therefore, a new two-lane, but less curvy toll road is under construction. This will be followed in Perote directly to the new toll highway through the Sierra de Puebla Puebla, which was opened in 2009.

Bus

Xalapa has a large bus company ADO between the center and the main road to Mexico City ( called CAXA ). From there, buses run in all the cities of the South and Southeast of Mexico. It offered half hourly connections to Veracruz and even night rides to Cancun. The border with the United States can be reached with a direct connection to Matamoros and Reynosa.

Aircraft

Xalapa has a small private El Lencero National Airport. It is located right off the highway to Veracruz 10 km south of the city limits at an altitude of 950 meters above the sea. The road is paved and 1700 meters long. Every year 10000-14000 passengers for this Regional Airport. The company Aeromar offers daily direct flights up to two to Mexico City.

The major international airport General Heriberto Jara Vera Cruz is located only one hour south of Xalapa. From then flying into all parts of the country of Mexico and to Houston. From the bus terminal of Xalapa, there are several daily shuttles to this airport.

Taxi

In Xalapa more than 5000 taxis in different societies are traveling. Some also have radio on board. All taxis are painted either white, red or white-green. In Xalapa, there is no taxi meters, that is, the fare must be negotiated before the journey first. As a guide, the zone maps of the taxi companies apply.

City ​​buses

In the city run city buses from different companies and accordingly different ages. There but more and more buses to be replaced with a display and some even come with air conditioning on board. With the city buses you can practically go anywhere. There are even flying to Coatepec, Xico and Teocelo. With a Mexican student card there are also discounts for the ride.

Climate

Climate of Xalapa is predominantly temperate moist. In summer the thermometer is between about 15 ° C ( night) and 27 ° C ( day). The hottest month is May in Xalapa, because not much moisture is present, which could dampen the already strong sunlight. In high summer, the daytime temperature feels warmer because the heat together gives a sultry hot mix with the moisture. Thus is formed from the lunch also often haze. Evening, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are possible, which can also make parts of roads impassable shortly. The highest temperature ever measured in Xalapa was 38.4 ° C, measured on 7 May 1978.

In winter it is possible that the temperature falls below 5 ° C even once. With the spray occurring in the evening and at night, then feel the temperature as minus degrees - real zero temperatures were never achieved. The lowest measured temperature is, according to the Meteorological Institute at 0.2 ° C ( 1974). During the day the temperature then rises again to about 20 ° C.

Overall fall in Xalapa about 1500 mm of rainfall per year. These precipitates are all to be found exclusively in the form of rain. Snow there is at most in the surrounding mountains Cofre de Perote in the cold winter days. However, this does not last long and often disappears again during the day.

Also interesting is the transition from the humid zone around Xalapa to the dry highlands near Perote. Perote is 40 minutes away and 1000 meters higher than Xalapa. In this way, the annual rainfall decreases by 70 % from ( Perote: 480 mm / year)! It is this transition is the trigger of a weather phenomenon of Xalapa. Cold and dry mountain air strikes in the region of Xalapa on wet and hot sea air from Vera Cruz and condensed immediately. Result is the daily fog.

Record amounts of rain are rarely registered in Xalapa. Often let heat thunderstorm produces large amounts of rain. But these are not the main cause of World Records. Rather, these are but the hurricanes. Thus fell in a single day, September 21, 1974 176 liters per square meter. The trigger for this was the heavy rains not very strong winds, but rainy Hurricane Fifi, which moved from Guatemala to Belize over southern Mexico and caused large-scale flooding. The September 1974 will go down in history as Xalapa rainiest month.

Sports

Xalapa has to offer various sporting activities. In 2005, the city had nearly 300 public sports fields. Furthermore, there is within the city limits 12 gymnasiums, 7 parks, which are publicly available. One of the major sports facilities of the town is the former, now frequented by individuals Heriberto Jara Corona Athletics Stadium, named after former Mexican governor Heriberto Jara Corona. It is located in the south central area of ​​Xalapa in the university district.

In the state of Veracruz, there are, apart from Club Deportivo Veracruz, no local football team which can compete successfully nationally or internationally. In contrast, the State of Veracruz for the Halcones UV Xalapa ( Xalapa Falcons ) as a successful basketball team, which is based in Xalapa, known. They are represented in the top Mexican League FIBA and play internationally. The greatest successes of Halcones were three league titles in a row: they won the championship under the U.S. coach Lee Andrew Stoglin 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, as well as under Alfredo González Ángel Chávez ( Mexico) in the years 2009-2010.

Famous athletes from Xalapa include the following persons:

• Armando Fernández, a wrestler with Olympic appearances in 1992 and 1996
• Eulalio Ríos Alemán, a swimmer
• Luis Hernández ( born 1955 ), 10,000 - meter runner with participating in Montreal at the Olympic Summer Games in 1976

Attractions

In the city

Historic Centre

The old town with its narrow streets, squares and colorful painted houses still shows the image of a Spanish colonial town. The Spanish colonial architecture is gone but a majority. In addition to the Cathedral, the Government Palace and some colonial buildings near the market building Jauregui, there are few important buildings from this period. Nevertheless, there are still a lot of history in the city. All important buildings which are labeled and explained.

Particularly well known is the Xallitic dam above the cathedral. The stone bridge leads over a small topographic depression. From there you can see down into the narrow streets with stairs, fountains and colored houses.

Callejon del Diamante

El Callejon del Diamante ( the Diamond streets ) is probably the most famous street in the historical center of Xalapa. The streets, not more than 5 feet wide, as the artists in the city. In addition, there is a small retail alley where hawkers offer typical food and craft goods. Moreover, in the streets, numerous small cafes are located. At night, the streets filled completely with people of all ages.

Legend has it that the name comes from a young Creole woman who wore a black diamond on her engagement ring. When she happened to be in the streets just forgot this ring with her ​​lover, the betrayal was uncovered. Your future, jealous husband murdered afterwards in the same lane and so the name stuck when Callejon del Diamante.

Cathedral of Xalapa

The Cathedral Xalapa (official name Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción de Xalapa, Mary Immaculate Conception Cathedral Xalapa ) was built in 1641 on the orders of Hernán Cortés. 1772 has been totally remodeled. Here was built the church almost completely rebuilt in the Baroque style. Back then imported to the new bell from England also. In 1896 they built the Cathedral of Xalapa to again. Especially the entrance was built in the Gothic Revival style. This form retained the Cathedral today.

Museums

The Museo de Antropología de Xalapa - MAX ( Anthropological Museum of Xalapa ) focusing Olmekenkultur is according to the National Museum of Chapultepec, the second most important at the national level. Along with numerous stone heads the history of the cultures along the Gulf of Mexico is explained in detail.

In residence Hacienda El Lencero of former President of Mexico Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (1794-1876) you can look in a former stately home in life. The Hacienda was in 1850 the residence López. The system includes parks, several houses, a lake, a church and a huge old tree. The museum is located close to the airport of Xalapa.

Parks

From Juarez Park, next to the Government Palace and the Church of you have a fantastic view over the western part of Xalapa Cofre de Perote up to and the often snow-capped Pico de Orizaba provided that there is no fog. The park also craft and art fairs are held. On stage, often local bands are especially at weekends in the summer to make any style of music.

Furthermore, even Xalapa has a nature reserve. This is the natural park Macuiltépec which extends to 30 acres around the volcano Macuiltépec.

Others

In the city there are numerous public and private universities. The three main universities are the following:

• Universidad Autónoma Veracruzana (state )
• Universidad Anáhuac de Xalapa (private)
• Universidad Hernán Cortés Xalapa (private).

The Universidad Autónoma Veracruzana in Xalapa 's largest university and has a large campus with a lake and a library of national importance. The university is considered one of the most prestigious universities in the country.

The Torre Animas (Tower of Animas ), built in 1993, located in the south of the city, with 62 meters (18 storeys ), the tallest building in the city. Its south wall serves as a giant billboard for the Chedraui shopping chain. Due to the high risk of earthquakes, the tower was not built higher.

In the city of Xalapa and the surrounding areas there are some high bridges. While serving on the outskirts of the bridges being built toll road MEX -140 (Veracruz - Perote ) to overcome the valleys and streams, standing in the city of Xalapa several bridges and similar structures, which relieve the intersections of the city. Particularly spectacular is the four-lane Puente Bicentenario Plaza Crystal in the west of the center. It is equipped with 883 meters of the city 's longest bridge and has a total of three up or downhill. The construction cost about 200 million pesos, and was opened in early May 2010.

Furthermore, there is a little further south, at the intersection Cardenas/Araucarias/20 Lázaro de Noviembre, a Kreiselbau with an underpass. While the city traffic and the four open out up and down in the MEX -140 in the multi-lane roundabout, the transit traffic passing through to four lanes at the roundabout. At the roundabout is also a green Araucaria sculpture.

In the surrounding area

In the near Xalapa there are two waterfalls. The one who Texolo waterfall (82 meters high), at Xico and the other, the waterfall of Naolinco (90 meters high), located approximately 30 minutes outside of the city in the mountains. From the village shoemaker Naolinco of you also have a wonderful view of the city and its surroundings.

The main reason for travel Xalapa many visitors is the area around the river Jalcomulco, who is known for sports such as rafting, rock climbing, zip line, hiking and mountain biking.

Media

In Xalapa, there are numerous newspapers and magazines. The most popular daily newspaper Diario de Xalapa is the, which you can buy at almost any kiosk and am also at the traffic lights. Other well-known local newspapers are the Diario La Jornada Veracruz, the Diario Milenio Diario AZ as well as the ( output Veracruz ).

More popular than the newspaper in Mexico are the radio stations. In Xalapa, there are radio stations of different music styles. Post on the FM and AM frequencies.

Special

• A native of Mexico chili plant was named after Xalapa - the jalapeno.
• In Mexico, Xalapa is famous for the drizzle and fog in the evening from the north, the city always covered in autumn, winter and spring. The so-called chipi - chipi is due to the collision of the dry - cold mountain air and the warm, humid sea air in the region of Xalapa. It allows the growth of plants that require a lot of moisture, and is also responsible for numerous car accidents.

Twin Cities

• United States Covina, USA
• Guatemala La Antigua, Guatemala
• Mexico Matamoros, Mexico
• United States Omaha, USA
• Spain Palma de Mallorca, Spain
• Mexico Torreón, Mexico
• Mexico Veracruz, Mexico

Sons and daughters of the town

• Eduardo Hernández Moncada, composer, pianist and conductor
• José Joaquín de Herrera, general and politician
• Antonio López de Santa Anna, general and politician
• Gabriel Orozco, concept artist