Xalapa

Xalapa, also spelled Jalapa, is the capital city of the Mexican state of Veracruz. Officially named Xalapa-Enríquez, it is located in the state’s central highlands, at an elevation around 1,400 to 1,500 meters above sea level, and lies near the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Cofre de Perote volcano. The altitude and climate give the city a cool, wet climate with mild winters and heavy rainfall in the summer.

The name Xalapa is of Nahuatl origin, and the area was inhabited by indigenous groups before and during the early colonial period. Xalapa developed as the political, educational, and cultural center of Veracruz and remains one of the state’s largest urban centers. It is commonly referred to as “La Atenas Veracruzana” for its concentration of universities, museums, and cultural institutions.

Xalapa hosts the Universidad Veracruzana, which maintains a major campus in the city. The Museo de Antropología de Xalapa (MAX) houses important pre-Columbian collections from Veracruz and the Gulf Coast. The city also offers theaters, galleries, and university museums, contributing to its reputation as a cultural hub.

The municipality is connected by road to other Gulf Coast and inland cities and serves as a regional hub for government, education, and services. Population figures place Xalapa among Veracruz’s largest urban areas, reflecting its continuing role as a center of activity in the region.