Tlacotalpan
Encyclopedia
The city of Tlacotalpan is located in the eastern coastal region of the Mexican
state
of Veracruz
. Although the area had been inhabited since pre-Columbian times, the modern-day settlement was founded as a river port on the banks of the Río Papaloapan in the mid-16th century. It serves as the municipal seat for the municipality of the same name
.
Tlacotalpan was chosen as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1998 because the "urban layout and architecture of Tlacotalpan represent a fusion of Spanish
and Caribbean
traditions of exceptional importance and quality... Its outstanding character lies in its townscape of wide streets, modest houses in an exuberant variety of styles and colours, and many mature trees in public and private open spaces." (UNESCO, 1998.)
The name "Tlacotalpan" is Nahuatl
meaning "place between the rivers", akin to "Mesopotamia
".
s (a sweet bread, about the size and shape of an English muffin
, longaniza
(a type of sausage), enchilada
s, naranjas rellenas (stuffed oranges), and dulce de leche
(similar to caramel candy). The “Virgen de la Candelaria” (Virgin of Candlemas) is brought out onto the streets of the village to bless the fishing and the people. At the front of the procession is the Roman Catholic Archbishop
of the Port of Veracruz
, along with other important clergy in the region. The band from the Naval Academy
in nearby Antón Lizardo
gives a performance and there are fireworks at night. The celebration draws many visitors to this place.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
state
States of Mexico
The United Mexican States is a federal republic formed by 32 federal entities .According to the Constitution of 1917, the states of the federation are free and sovereign. Each state has their own congress and constitution, while the Federal District has only limited autonomy with a local Congress...
of Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
. Although the area had been inhabited since pre-Columbian times, the modern-day settlement was founded as a river port on the banks of the Río Papaloapan in the mid-16th century. It serves as the municipal seat for the municipality of the same name
Tlacotalpan (municipality)
The municipality of Tlacotalpan is located in the eastern coastal region of the Mexican state of Veracruz. It covers a total surface area is , accounting for 0.89% of the state total....
.
Tlacotalpan was chosen as a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site in 1998 because the "urban layout and architecture of Tlacotalpan represent a fusion of Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
traditions of exceptional importance and quality... Its outstanding character lies in its townscape of wide streets, modest houses in an exuberant variety of styles and colours, and many mature trees in public and private open spaces." (UNESCO, 1998.)
The name "Tlacotalpan" is Nahuatl
Nahuatl
Nahuatl is thought to mean "a good, clear sound" This language name has several spellings, among them náhuatl , Naoatl, Nauatl, Nahuatl, Nawatl. In a back formation from the name of the language, the ethnic group of Nahuatl speakers are called Nahua...
meaning "place between the rivers", akin to "Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia is a toponym for the area of the Tigris–Euphrates river system, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and southwestern Iran.Widely considered to be the cradle of civilization, Bronze Age Mesopotamia included Sumer and the...
".
Candlemas celebration
Candlemas in this city is an important celebration. The festival begins on 31 January at 3pm and lasts for 8 days, until 9 February, all day and all night. People dress in traditional clothing and traditional foods such as arroz a la tumbada (rice cooked in fish broth), pescado a la veracruzana (fish, with tomatoes, olives, chillies, and onions), white gorditaGordita
A gordita in Mexican cuisine is a corn cake made with masa harina and stuffed with cheese, meat or other fillings. It is similar to a pasty and to the Colombian/Venezuelan arepa. Gordita means "little fat one" in Spanish. A gordita is typically fried in a deep wok-shaped comal or baked on a...
s (a sweet bread, about the size and shape of an English muffin
English muffin
A muffin or English muffin is a small, round, flat type of yeast-leavened bread almost always dusted with cornmeal, which is commonly served split horizontally, toasted, and buttered. Muffins are eaten either as a snack alone or as part of a meal.- History :An old English nursery rhyme, "The...
, longaniza
Longaniza
Longaniza is a Spanish sausage similar to a chorizo and also closely associated with the Portuguese linguiça. Its defining characteristics are interpreted differently from region to region...
(a type of sausage), enchilada
Enchilada
An enchilada is a corn tortilla rolled around a filling and covered with a chili pepper sauce. Enchiladas can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including meat, cheese, beans, potatoes, vegetables, seafood or combinations.-Etymology:...
s, naranjas rellenas (stuffed oranges), and dulce de leche
Dulce de leche
Dulce de leche is a thick,creamy, caramel-like milk-based sauce or spread.Literally translated, dulce de leche means "sweet from milk". It is prepared by slowly heating sweetened milk to create a product that derives its taste from caramelised sugar. It is a popular sweet in Latin America, where...
(similar to caramel candy). The “Virgen de la Candelaria” (Virgin of Candlemas) is brought out onto the streets of the village to bless the fishing and the people. At the front of the procession is the Roman Catholic Archbishop
Roman Catholic Diocese of Veracruz
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Veracruz is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Jalapa.-Ordinaries:*José Guadalupe Padilla Lozano - Bishop Emeritus*Luis Gabriel Cuara Méndez...
of the Port of Veracruz
Veracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
, along with other important clergy in the region. The band from the Naval Academy
Heroica Escuela Naval Militar
The Heroica Escuela Naval Militar is the officer training academy of the Mexican Navy.It began operations on 1 June 1897 with a group of cadets from the Army's Colegio Militar who had expressed an interest in training as naval officers....
in nearby Antón Lizardo
Antón Lizardo
Antón Lizardo is a fishing town located 23 km in the Mexican state of Veracruz.It is located south of the port city of Veracruz, near Boca del Río, in the municipality of Alvarado....
gives a performance and there are fireworks at night. The celebration draws many visitors to this place.